Orthodontic tooth movement is characterized by tissue reactions, which consist of an inflammatory response in periodontal ligament and followed by bone remodeling in the periodontium depending on the forces applied. These processes trigger the secretion of various proteins and enzymes into the saliva. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the activity of the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in saliva during orthodontic tooth movement using different magnitude of continuous orthodontic forces. Thirty orthodontic patients (12 males and 18 females) with ages 17-23 years with class II division I malocclusion all requiring bilateral maxillary first premolar extractions. Those patients were randomly divided into 3 groups according to the magnitude of the force application (40, 60 and 80gm). A sectional fixed appliance was bonded and designed to give labial force to the maxillary first premolar for 3 weeks. Unstimulated saliva was collected from the patients before force application, then 1 hour after force application, followed by 1, 7, 14 and 21 days. Salivary levels of LDH were measured using spectrophotometer and compared with the baseline level. The results revealed that LDH enzyme level increased with increasing magnitude of orthodontic force (from 40 to 80gm). This was statistically significant after 1 hour, 1, 7, 14 and 21 days of force application. The LDH significantly increased from baseline after 1 hour and peaked at 21 days for all the 3 force levels. The LDH level reflect the biological activity that takes place in the periodontium during orthodontic tooth movement, and therefore it can be used as a diagnostic tool for monitoring of correct orthodontic tooth movement in clinical practice.
