BACKGROUND: Orthodontic tooth movement is based on the periodontal tissue remodeling. In the exogenous factors accelerating orthodontic tooth movement, Chinese herbal medicine has become a research hotspot because of its wide resources, low cost, easy to extract, mild effect, small toxic, less side effects and drug resistance.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the role of Chinese herbal medicine in the periodontal tissue remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement.
METHODS: A computer-based retrieval of CNKI, Wanfang and PubMed databases was performed for articles related to Chinese herbal medicine for improving orthodontic tooth movement published before 2014. The keywords were “Chinese herbal medicine, orthodontic tooth movement, periodontal tissue remodeling” in Chinese and English, respectively.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Erigeron breviscapus, Salvia, teasel, Drynaria, baicalin, evening primrose oil as Chinese herbs are most widely used in the promotion of periodontal tissue remodeling, characterized as wide resources, low cost, easy to extract, mild effect, low toxicity, less drug resistance. In the clinical orthodontic treatment, it is hoped to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement and shorten the treatment time. Therefore, under the appropriate corrective force, Chinese herbs can be used properly to improve periodontal tissue repair and remodeling, which can improve the microcirculation of periodontal tissue, increase the local blood flow, promote bone formation and repress bone resorption.