Lithium Chloride Attenuates Root Resorption During Orthodontic Tooth Movement

Aim：Root resorption is a common side effect of orthodontic treatment. In thecurrent study, lithium chloride (LiCl), a wnt signaling activator, was examined todetermine its effect on root resorption.Method：In total,10Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allocated into theexperimental group (EG) and control group (CG). Each group consisted of fivesubjects. By using closed nickel-titanium coil springs, a50-g force was appliedbetween the upper incisors and the maxillary right first molars in order to mimicorthodontic biomechanics in the EG and CG for14days. During the14days, the EGrats were gavage-fed200mg/kg LiCl every48h. Next, digital radiographs werecaptured using a micro-computational tomography scanner. The movement of themaxillary first molars and the root resorption area ratio were measured electronicallyon the digital radiographs. The outcomes were analyzed using ANOVA.Result: Following14days of experimental force application, all rats had spacesof varying sizes between the first and second right maxillary molars. The averagedistance measured in the CG was slightly higher than in the EG, however, thedifference was not found to be statistically significant (P=0.224). Root resorptioncraters were observed in the groups following the experiment. Rough cementumareas were observed on the mesial surface of the distobuccal and distopalatal roots.The mean root resorption area ratio of CG was significantly greater than EG(P<0.05). Conclusion：Results of the present study indicate that LiCl can attenuateorthodontically induce root resorption during orthodontic tooth movement. Theeffect of LiCl on tooth movement is insignificant.