Immunosuppressants: Implications in Orthodontics - Dental Press

original articleImmunosuppressants: Implications in orthodonticswho showed greater tooth movement in animals subjectedto these medications. As occurs with glucocorticoids,Cyclosporine affects alveolar bone causingdeleterious periodontal effects that may be due tothe reduction in bone volume and number of osteoblasts,and increase in osteoclasts. 29 In rats markedgingival growth and bone loss were observed 28 , howevermore uniformly than those observed in humanbeings 13 due to environmental and genetic factors.Recently, Kirino et al 18 in a study with animalssubmitted to the application of tacrolimus, observedthinner bone trabeculae, wider medullary cavities 18and increase in the number of osteoclasts. 25 Studieshave demonstrated that both Cyclosporin and tacrolimusmay induce bone loss both in human beingsand in experimental animal models, 2 throughinterleukin gene expression (IL-1, IL-6 and tumornecrosis factor –TNFα), 19 the cytokines that participatein bone resorption.Immunosuppressant activity with Rapamicinefor long periods 6 or in high doses increases bone remodelingand inhibits longitudinal bone growth, reducingthe speed of growth by around 30 to 50%, 3 inaddition to inhibiting different cell types, includingsmooth muscle vascular cells and fibroblasts thatare not part of the immune system. 32 Other immunosuppressantssuch as, Mycophenolate mofetil 10and Azathioprine 6 showed no deleterious effects onbone mineral density.Immunosuppressants represent great advancementin the control of different types of diseases, andsuppression of the immune response against transplantedorgans, however, a large portion of these medicationsare capable of influencing bone metabolismand tooth movement.The orthodontist may frequently encounter patientsthat require prolonged immunosuppressivetherapy and orthodontic treatment. Usually, patientsin the initial stage of these medications usage maybe advised to delay orthodontic treatment, as therewould be less bone remodeling, or orthodontic activationappointments should be scheduled at longerintervals. On the other hand, long term medicationtherapy may accelerate tooth movement, thus orthodonticappliances must be adjusted customarily, orwith greater frequency. Medical follow-up with clinicaland densitometry periodic exams are necessaryin order to obtain more predictable and satisfactoryorthodontic results.Conclusion1) Immunosuppressants that affect cytokinesynthesis (glucocorticoids, cyclosporin-CsA,tacrolimus-FK506 and Sirolimus-RAPA) interferein bone metabolism and may influencetooth movement.2) Interference in bone metabolism is dependenton the force applied, dose and duration of immunosuppressanttherapy, in addition to the individualresponse of each patient, except to azathioprineand Mycophenolate mofetil that haveshown no deleterious effect on bone density.© 2012 Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics 60Dental Press J Orthod. 2012 Mar-Apr;17(2):55-61