The thoracoscopy-assisted spinal technique using the extended manipulating channels, usually 2.5-3.5 cm, allows variable instrument angulations for manipulation. The mean surgical time (3.1 h) was considered no longer than for an open technique for the equivalent anterior procedure. Such an approach can achieve less procedure-related trauma and has proved to be a good alternative to other treatment modalities.

During orthodontic tooth movement, bone resorption occurs at the compression site. However, the mechanism underlying resorption remains unclear. Applying compressive force to human osteoblast-like cells grown in a 3D collagen gel, we examined gene induction by using microarray and RT-PCR analysis. Among 43 genes exhibiting significant changes, cyclo-oxygenase-2, ornithine decarboxylase, and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) were up-regulated, whereas membrane-bound interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein was down-regulated. The MMP-3 protein increases were further confirmed by Western blot. To ascertain whether MMP-3 is up-regulated in vivo by orthodontic force, we examined human bone samples at the compressive site by realigning the angulated molars. Immunohistochemical staining revealed MMP-3 distributed along the compressive site of the bony region within 3 days of compression. Since MMP-3 participates in degradation of a wide range of extracellular matrix molecules, we propose that MMP-3 plays an important role in bone resorption during orthodontic tooth movement.