Periostin plays multiple functions during development. Our previous work showed a critical role of this disulfide-linked cell adhesion protein in maintenance of periodontium integrity in response to occlusal load. In this study, we attempted to address whether this mechanical response molecule played a direct role in postnatal tooth development. Our key findings are 1) periostin is expressed in preodontoblasts, and odontoblasts; and the periostin-null incisor displayed a massive increase in dentin formation after mastication; 2) periostin is also expressed in the ameloblast cells, and an enamel defect is identified in both the adult-null incisor and molar; 3) deletion of periostin leads to changes in expression profiles of many non-collagenous protein such as DSPP, DMP1, BSP, and OPN in incisor dentin; 4) the removal of a biting force leads to reduction of mineralization, which is partially prevented in periostin-null mice; and 6) both in vitro and in vivo data revealed a direct regulation of periostin by TGF-1 in dentin formation. In conclusion, periostin plays a novel direct role in controlling postnatal tooth formation, which is required for the integrity of both enamel and dentin.It is well known that mechanical loading stimulates new bone formation, whereas unloading or disuse of bone (e.g. longtime bed rest, spaceflight, or cast immobilization) accelerates bone resorption. This adaptation is critical for bone modeling and remodeling (1). The anabolic degree to which the bone responds to physical activity has being associated with the intensity and loading magnitude of the exercise. Under normal conditions, strenuous exercise such as weightlifting yields thicker and denser bone compared with jogging and swimming; the latter two types of exercise are less forceful and produce less mechanical stimulus (2). A well-designed study by Tatsumi et al. (3) demonstrated that osteocytes are the key sensor controlling both bone formation and bone resorption in the unloading animal model. The accumulated evidence supports a recommendation by the National Osteoporosis Foundation: regular weight-bearing and muscle strengthening exercise is an effective countermeasure to fight against osteoporosis, a silent bone loss in the elderly population worldwide.The development and maintenance of the dental and periodontal structures are also directly influenced by mechanical stimuli (4). This stimulation can be the result of normal occlusal function or orthodontic treatment. It is well documented that during orthodontic treatment, tension on the side from which a tooth moves away results in the formation of new bone (i.e. osteogenic), while compression on the opposite site leads to bone resorption. This relationship seems contrary to the situation in the long bone where the loaded site is osteogenic and the unloaded site is resorptive (5). One of the interpretations regarding this difference between the alveolar bone and long bone is that the periodontal ligament (PDL), 3 a soft tissue located between the teeth and alveolar bone,...