Gingival crevicular fluid flow rate and alkaline phosphatase level as potential marker of active tooth movement.

BACKGROUND Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF) changes occur during orthodontic tooth movement and this could serve as a potential indicator to the response to active treatment. AIM The objective of the study is to assess the changes in the GCF volume and the levels of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) during early phase of tooth movement. METHODS 20 patients requiring all first premolar extractions were selected and treated with conventional straight wire mechanotherapy. Canine retraction was done using Nitinol closed coil springs. Maxillary canine on one side acted as experimental site while the contralateral canine acted as control. GCF was collected from around the canines before initiation of retraction, 1 hour after initiating canine retraction, 1 day, 7 days, 14 days and 21 days. GCF volume and the ALP levels were estimated and compared with the control side. RESULTS The results showed statistically significant changes in the GCF volume and ALP levels on the 7th, 14th and 21st days at the experimental sides. The peak in the activity occurred on the 14th day of initiation of retraction. The GCF volume and ALP levels did not show any significant variations at the control sites where no retraction was done. CONCLUSIONS It can be concluded that GCF volume and ALP levels may serve as an indicator to assess tooth movement dynamics in orthodontic therapy. Based on the available data and further studies, ALP levels in GCF may aid in developing a reliable non-invasive chair side test for assessing the prognosis and progress of orthodontic therapy.