Orthodontic tooth movement is the fundamental phenomenon underlying the treatment of dental malocclusions. For orthodontic treatment to be efficient and effective, the amount of force applied to the teeth for every kind of movement should be appropriately dosed, because it is associated with the risk of side effects and the treatment time. However, our knowledge of the complex cascade of events that transforms a mechanical stimulus into an ordinated bone remodeling is incomplete. Predictive theoretical numerical models could be of invaluable help in understanding the bone response to orthodontic loading and in studying the effects of complex orthodontic force systems. However, either short-term or evolutive predictive models showed a large heterogeneity of material properties and governing equations. The present review provides an outline of the physical and biochemical basis of orthodontic tooth movement with a focus around the periodontal ligament interface. The use of a standardized method for designing predictive models is advocated, and perspectives for future studies are presented.

正畸牙齿移动是治疗牙齿咬合不正的基本现象。为了使正畸治疗有效，应适当剂量施加在牙齿上进行各种运动的力，因为它与副作用的风险和治疗时间有关。然而，我们对将机械刺激转化为有序骨重塑的复杂级联事件的了解是不完整的。预测性理论数值模型对于理解骨骼对正畸负荷的反应和研究复杂的正畸力系统的影响可能具有宝贵的帮助。然而，短期或演化预测模型都显示出材料特性和控制方程的巨大异质性。本综述概述了正畸牙齿移动的物理和生化基础，重点是牙周韧带界面。提倡使用标准化方法来设计预测模型，并提出了未来研究的前景。