Vitamin D and orthodontics: an insight review

Vitamin D is known as the oldest of all hormones. 7-Dehydrocholesterol is converted to previtamin D(3). It becomes a secosteroid when it is later converted to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)). A number of factors influence vitamin D(3) production, including skin pigmentation, the use of sunscreen lotions, season, latitude, and altitude. Vitamin D is important for bone metabolism and calcium hemostasis. Researchers have linked a deficiency in vitamin D levels to a number of systemic complications, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, immune deficiency, and infectious diseases. In orthodontics, laboratory studies have revealed some evidence that vitamin D enhances tooth movement and the stability of the tooth position. This review is an attempt to understand the role and systemic consequences of vitamin D deficiency and to examine its relevance to orthodontics.