Role of mechanical stress in mandible bone metabolism

Mechanical stress is an important factor in the regulation of bone metabolism. In addition, osteoblasts play a crucial role in bone metabolism. Osteoblasts produce bone matrix and osteotropic cytokines such as receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG). It was recently reported that mechanical stress loading affects the regulation of inflammatory cytokine, RANKL, and OPG expression by osteoblasts. The changes of the expression of these cytokines are thought to play a role in bone remodeling. The mandible is continuously exposed to mechanical stressors such as occlusal force. However, the mechanism by which occlusal force affects the mandible has not yet been determined at the molecular level. This article reviews the rapid progress made in the past few years to understand the role of mechanical stress in mandible bone metabolism. Rec.12/28/2011, Acc.2/23/2012, pp119-123