RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that short- and long-term celecoxib administration has no effect on orthodontic tooth movement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats were submitted to short- (3 days) and long-term (14 days) celecoxib administration, while the respective control groups received equivolumetric saline intraperitoneal injections. The upper left first molars of all rats were moved mesially for 14 days by a fixed orthodontic appliance exerting 50 g force upon insertion. After the experimental period, tooth movement was quantified and tissues around the first molar were processed for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) histochemistry. The amount of tooth movement and the number of TRAP-positive cells on the alveolar bone surface were evaluated. RESULTS: The amount of tooth movement was significantly reduced in rats submitted to short- and long-term celecoxib administration, while the number of osteoclasts on the alveolar bone did not differ between the four groups studied. CONCLUSIONS: The hypothesis is rejected. Although celecoxib administration did not affect the number of osteoclasts, the osteoclast activity might be reduced, which could explain the inhibition of tooth movement observed in the celecoxib-treated animals. These results indicate that orthodontists should be aware of patients under short- and long-term therapy with celecoxib.