Leptin Levels in Gingival Crevicular Fluid During Orthodontic Tooth Movement

Abstract

To test if leptin can be detected in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) around moving teeth, and to determine whether any changes occur during orthodontic tooth movement. An upper canine requiring distal movement served as the test tooth; the contralateral canine was used as a control tooth. The control tooth was included in the orthodontic appliance, but was not subjected to the orthodontic force. GCF sampling from the distal sites of the test and control teeth was done at baseline, 1 hour, 24 hours, and 168 hours. Leptin concentrations of the test teeth decreased in a time-dependent manner. When compared with the baseline measurement, the decrease was significant at 168 hours (P < .05). The concentration of leptin in GCF is decreased by orthodontic tooth movement; the results of the present study also suggest that leptin may have been one of the mediators responsible for orthodontic tooth movement.