OBJECTIVETo explore the effect and practical value of repairing the alveolar defects with tissue engineering technique and investigate the influence of the generated new bone on the orthodontic tooth movement.

METHODSThe marrow stromal cells of rats were separated, cultured in vitro and induced to osteoblast-like cells. The osteoblast-like cells were implanted onto the ceramic bovine bone. Then the complex was implanted into the alveolar defect in one side of the rat's mandible. The other side of the mandible served as control. Eight weeks later, the orthodontic appliances were placed between the first molar and incisors of SD rats to move the first molar forward. The tooth movement and root resorption of the molar were observed.

RESULTSWe found that the tooth movement in the experimental area was faster than that in the normal alveolar bone (P < 0.05). The root resorption and the alveolar bone height loss were less than that in the control area (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe tissue-engineered bone did not have negative influences on tooth movement. The repair of alveolar bone defect by tissue engineering approach may be used in craniofacial surgery and orthodontics.