THE EFFECT OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE (ESW) ON CEMENTOBLASTS IN VITRO

Root resorption is an adverse consequence of orthodontic treatment, and currently no effective treatment method exists. Extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) has been applied to enhance angiogenesis, growth and healing of bone, but the effects of ESW on root resorption have not been studied. Cementoblasts are the cells responsible for forming and repairing cementum covering the dental root, and ESW may enhance this reparative process. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ESW on cementoblasts to determine if ESW could potentially be used to treat root resorption. OCCM.30 cementoblasts were prepared in suspension at a density of 10 7 /ml and placed in Eppendorf tubes which were held in a specially designed apparatus to focus the shock waves at the cells. Using the focused shock wave stimulator (Storz Medical AG, Switzerland), the cell