CELLULAR SENESCENCE IN ORTHODONTIC TOOTH MOVEMENT: BIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS, CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Aging, inflammation, and tissue remodeling are all impacted by cellular senescence, a biological process marked by irreversible cell-cycle halt and the emergence of a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Senescence may have an impact on the results of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) and plays a major role in oral health, according to mounting research. With a focus on periodontal ligament remodeling, alveolar bone metabolism, and tissue responses to mechanical pressures, this review investigates the molecular mechanisms connecting cellular senescence to orthodontic treatment. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, matrix-degrading enzymes, and extracellular vesicles are released by senescent cells, which together change the local microenvironment and upset the equilibrium between bone formation and resorption.

Slower tooth movement, longer treatment times, poor tissue regeneration, and heightened vulnerability to negative consequences including root resorption and periodontal problems can all be caused by the age-related buildup of senescent cells in periodontal tissues. Additionally, recent research shows how aging affects osteoblast, osteoclast, and osteocyte function, which in turn affects orthodontic biomechanics and treatment prediction. Promising prospects for enhancing treatment results and creating individualized orthodontic treatments are presented by new research on senescence biomarkers and senotherapeutic techniques, such as senolytic and senomorphic drugs. Clinical orthodontics may be better equipped to incorporate biologically informed treatment planning if the molecular mechanisms behind cellular senescence are well understood. To elucidate the direct connection between senescence and OTM and to convert these discoveries into successful treatment therapies, more research is required.