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Most People Get This Wrong. Are You Smarter?

Posted on 02/12/2026

An obscure but critical fact often misunderstood is that braces do not actually "pull" teeth through your jaw. Instead, they trigger a biological process where your body dissolves its own bone to make a path for the tooth and then rebuilds it on the other side. 

The source of this fact is the biological field of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM), specifically a well-documented process called bone remodeling. 

Rather than a simple mechanical "pulling," your teeth move through your jaw via a complex cellular relay. Here is how the science breaks it down: 

  • Compression Side (The "Demolition"): When braces apply pressure, the tooth pushes against the bone in the direction of movement. This triggers cells called osteoclasts (often described as a "demolition crew") to dissolve and break down the bone tissue that's in the way.
  • Tension Side (The "Construction"): On the opposite side of the tooth, the periodontal ligament is stretched. This tension signals osteoblasts ("builder cells") to deposit new bone into the empty space left behind as the tooth shifts.
  • Ligament Messaging: The periodontal ligament (PDL) acts as the messenger, sensing the pressure and releasing chemical signals like RANKL to tell the body exactly where to dissolve and where to build. 

Without this biological "dissolving and rebuilding," the teeth would simply hit the solid jawbone and stop moving. This is also why moving teeth too quickly is dangerous; the body needs time to rebuild the bone for stability, or the tooth could become permanently loose. This is also why you want to trust your care to a board-certified orthodontic specialist. While many dentists can sell and give you aligners, this is not their area of expertise. The smart choice is to trust your care to an orthodontist. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to call us at 401-739-3900.