Faster Tooth movement (orthodontics) if high-dose Vitamin D

Effect of Vitamin D on Orthodontic Tooth Movement

J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2025 Dec;17(Suppl 4):S3042-S3044. doi: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs100925

Renu Renu 1, Monica Chaurasia 2, Dolma Ganz 3, Ramandeep Bawa 4, Gaurav Ahuja 5, Sana Sana 3 (India)

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Background: The movement of teeth in orthodontics is controlled by the body and involves changes to the surrounding bone. Since vitamin D helps maintain healthy calcium and bones, it could affect how fast and well tooth movement happens during orthodontics.

Materials and methods: During the study, 30 participants (age 18-25 years) had canine retraction after having their premolars extracted. Fifteen people in Group A were each given 600,000 IU Vitamin D3 injections once monthly for 3 months. At the same time, 15 people in Group B received injections of a placebo. Applying a standardized spring force of 150 g, we measured the rate of canine movement in study models at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12. At both baseline and after treatment, serum levels of Vitamin D in blood samples were checked.

Results: At each interval, Group A showed greater tooth movement than Group B which was statistically significant (mean movement at 12 weeks: 2.85 ± 0.32 mm in Group A vs. 1.97 ± 0.28 mm in Group B; P < 0.001). The serum 25(OH) D in Group A increased from baseline to 52.4 ± 6.7 ng/mL following the intervention. All participants were without any negative symptoms during the study.

Conclusion: Getting vitamin D supplements helps tooth movement in the orthodontics clinic, with no side effects, most likely because it improves the bone around the teeth. PDF

Injection gave 40% faster tooth movement

Perhaps 60% shorter time with braces if had started Vitamin D a month before

~60% of US children have Orthodontic Treatments

Perplexity AI Jan 2026 (includes many images and charts)

According to multiple sources, approximately 50-70% of U.S. children receive orthodontic treatment before reaching adulthood. Some estimates using specific age ranges and definitions show variation.[1][2]

Key Statistics

Treatment Prevalence: - The American Association of Orthodontists estimates that 50-70% of U.S. children will wear braces before they reach adulthood[2] - According to healthcare utilization data, around half of U.S. children receive orthodontic treatment at some point during their childhood, based on past trends[1] - Statistics indicate that 25% to 50% of children require orthodontic treatment during childhood[3]

Current Patient Numbers: - Approximately 3.5 to 3.9 million teens and kids start wearing braces every year[4][5] - About 4-4.8 million Americans currently wear braces, with nearly 75-80% of them being children and teens[6][3] - Of orthodontic patients currently in treatment, 67.6% are under 18 years old[7][8]

Age-Specific Treatment Rates: - From 2010 to 2012, 16.8% of U.S. children between 10 and 14 years of age visited an orthodontist[1] - Orthodontic visits constituted 14.5% of all dental treatment procedures for children and adolescents[9]

Treatment Need vs. Actual Treatment

While a high percentage of children receive treatment, there's evidence of unmet need: - Approximately 70% of the U.S. population could benefit from orthodontic treatment[10] - About 17.2% of children demonstrate a definite need for orthodontic treatment, and about one-third would likely benefit from care[11] - However, only 10-20% of orthodontic needs may actually be diagnosed and treated, particularly when general dentists lack orthodontic training[12]

Disparities in Access

Treatment rates vary significantly by demographics: - Children with public insurance had the fewest orthodontic visits (9.4%)[9] - Black and Hispanic children received fewer orthodontic procedures (8.89% and 10.56%, respectively) compared to other groups[9] - Higher-income and uninsured populations showed greater utilization[9]

The actual percentage of U.S. children receiving orthodontic treatment before graduating from school is approximately 50-70%. This represents a substantial portion of the pediatric population, making orthodontic treatment a common part of childhood and adolescent healthcare.

[1] https://undark.org/2020/07/20/does-your-child-really-need-braces/

[2] https://sim4kids.com/kids-dentist-blog/what-types-of-braces-are-best-for-teens/

[3] https://burkeredfordorthodontists.com/fun-facts-about-braces/

[4] https://smileyfacebraces.com/how-common-are-braces-for-children/

[5] https://woodardorthodontics.com/blog/3-facts-about-braces-for-kids/

[6] https://doyleortho.com/when-should-kids-get-braces-how-to-tell-when-its-time-for-braces/

[7] https://www.hellotend.com/site/blog/2022/12/29/statistics-on-adult-orthodontics-braces

[8] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10742803/

[9] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29103445/

[10] https://www.wuortho.com/why-so-many-need-orthodontics/

[11] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8130155/

[12] https://orthodontics.com/10-facts-about-orthodontics-that-surprise-you/

[13] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8852784/

[14] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889540617305991

[15] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4273289/

[16] https://www.ovid.com/journals/ajod/pdf/10.1016/j.ajodo.2017.03.027~childrens-orthodontic-utilization-in-the-united-states

[17] https://www.drjeffreysthompson.com/blog/what-percentage-of-teens-need-braces/

[18] https://castlepinesortho.com/blog/6-signs-its-time-for-your-child-to-get-braces/

[19] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2018.12.023

[20] https://sciencescholar.us/journal/index.php/ijhs/article/view/5656

[21] https://www.rankmydentist.com/blog/orthodontics/orthodontics-and-braces-statistics-adults-kids

[22] https://alignedonpearl.com/how-much-does-orthodontic-treatment-cost/

[23] https://happysmilewashington.com/blog/cost-of-braces-for-kids-what-parents-should-know/

[24] https://www2.aaoinfo.org/member-survey-indicates-orthodontic-patient-numbers-at-all-time-high/

[25] https://classiccityorthodontics.com/238235-2/

[26] https://www.covinawongdental.com/teen-braces-when-should-your-child-see-an-orthodontist/

[27] https://us.dental-tribune.com/news/adults-are-seeking-orthodontic-treatment-in-record-numbers/

11,700 items in Google Scholar as of Jan 2026

Orthodontic "vitamin d"

  • Influence of vitamin D in orthodontic tooth movement—a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in humans Sept 2024 FREE PDF
  • THE EFFECT OF VITAMIN D3 ON TOOTH MOVEMENT IN ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT - April 2024 FREE PDF "Conclusion: The majority o of the included studies reported that vitamin D3 can stimulate bone resorption by increasing osteoclast activity which results in the speed of bone resorption resulting in an increase in the speed of tooth movement and helps in stabilizing orthodontic tooth movement."
  • Impact of Vitamin D3 on Postorthodontic Treatment Stability: A Randomized Controlled Trial - May 2025 FREE PDF Vitamin D injections help AFTER orthodonics too

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Created January 2026
Tags: Dental