Interleukine-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in the human gingival sulcus during orthodontic treatment

Objective: To test whether interleukine 1 beta (IL-1 beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels differ from each other in different treatment levels. Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients, nine female and nine male (aged 16-19 years; mean 17.4 +/- 1.8 years), participated in this study. Each subject underwent a session on professional oral hygiene and received oral hygiene instructions. Two months later, a fixed orthodontic appliance was placed. The patients were seen at baseline, at days 7 and 21 and at the 3rd and 6th month as the leveling of the teeth occurred. Records of the baseline scores for the distalization forces were taken at the 6th month. Days 7 and 21 after 6 months of treatment were also recorded. Results: There were increases in the volume of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and in the concentrations of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha. Conclusions: Leveling and distalization of the teeth evoke increases in both the IL-1 and TNF-alpha levels that can be detected in GCF.