American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Practice Exam

An increased number of osteoclasts during orthodontic treatment leads to accelerated tooth movement. Osteoclasts are the cells responsible for bone resorption, meaning they break down bone tissue. In the context of orthodontic treatment, the application of mechanical forces to teeth causes remodeling in the surrounding alveolar bone. When osteoclasts are more active, they facilitate the removal of bone in the areas where the teeth are being moved, allowing for quicker adaptation of the bony housing to the new position of the teeth.

This increase in osteoclast activity corresponds to a greater rate of tooth movement because the resorption of bone on one side of the tooth allows it to shift more easily, while the bone is simultaneously being formed on the other side of the tooth by osteoblasts. Thus, having a higher number of osteoclasts actively participating in the resorption process enables the desired tooth movement to occur more rapidly, which is particularly beneficial in orthodontic treatment aimed at aligning and positioning teeth effectively.