Cellular response to force application at craniofacial sutures.

OBJECTIVES To provide a comprehensive review of the literature describing research done on the responses of suture cells to force application in vitro and in vivo. DESIGN AND RESULTS This review outlines the types of forces that can be applied, methods of applying the forces, the sutures used in experiments, and the changes in morphology, molecular biology (gene and protein expression), and cell biology (proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis) in response to these forces. CONCLUSION The molecular response of sutures to force needs to be further investigated as these molecules can be used to enhance the way in which craniofacial sutures respond to mechanical force during orthopedic-orthodontic treatment.