Gentle vibrations to speed up orthodontic tooth movement
Dose analysis for translating animal based vibrational force study for accelerating orthodontic tooth movement to clinic
This project tries specific vibration doses to help teeth move faster during braces and to strengthen the bone around teeth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11305270 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at Purdue will use animal experiments to identify vibration levels that make teeth move faster without causing harm. They will apply intermittent vibration alongside orthodontic force in rats and measure how quickly teeth move, how dense the surrounding bone becomes, and whether there are any side effects like root changes. The team will analyze different vibration doses to find safe, consistent settings. The aim is to translate those safe vibration doses into approaches that can be used in dental clinics.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people currently undergoing active orthodontic tooth movement (for example, canine retraction, impaction correction, molar protraction, or space closure) who want faster treatment.
Not a fit: People not undergoing active orthodontic movement or those with certain bone or dental conditions that affect healing may not receive benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could shorten orthodontic treatment time and reduce side effects such as root resorption and loss of anchorage.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have shown that intermittent vibration can speed tooth movement and strengthen alveolar bone, but the optimal vibration doses for safe clinical use are not yet established.
Where this research is happening
West Lafayette, United States
- Purdue University — West Lafayette, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Jie — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Chen, Jie
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.