When it comes to orthodontic treatment, many people focus on braces as the main tools for straightening teeth. But what actually makes the teeth move in the first place is gentle force. This pressure is not just a force applied by the appliance—it's a carefully calibrated signal that triggers adaptations in the tooth-supporting structures around the teeth. Every time a aligner is switched, it applies gentle, consistent pressure to the tooth. This pressure doesn't force the tooth mechanically through bone. Instead, it activates the body’s physiological restructuring response.
On the side of the tooth where load is directed, specialized cells called bone-degrading osteocytes break down the alveolar structure. This creates room for the tooth to move into. On the opposite side, where stretching force occurs, other cells called osteogenic cells begin forming new matrix to fill in the gap. This process, known as periodontal adaptation, is deliberate and persistent. It’s why orthodontic treatment takes 12–36 months—it has to follow the body’s inherent healing speed.
Too much pressure can lead to pulpal compromise. Too little pressure won’t trigger the remodeling process at all. That’s why orthodontists are specialized to apply precision-calibrated pressure. The goal is gradual, continuous loading, not sudden, heavy forces. This is also why patients are advised against chewing ice or hard candy during treatment—those actions can overload the periodontal ligament needed for controlled movement.
Even after the appliance is taken off, pressure continues to play a role. removable aligners apply gentle pressure to keep teeth in their ideal occlusion while the periodontal ligament and 東京 前歯矯正 alveolar crest fully reinforce. Without this, teeth can gradually relapse, a phenomenon called dental drift. Understanding pressure as a physiological signal rather than just a mechanical force helps patients appreciate why long-term compliance are so important in orthodontics. It’s not about overpowering natural structures—it’s about harmonizing with biological processes, with respect for the body’s own self-repair mechanisms.