Root Shortening
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Research has now proven that orthodontic movement of teeth with braces and constant force arch wire will cause root shortening (also know as root resorption) in most patients.
Orthodontic movement of teeth with braces, combined with constant-force arch wire, causes root shortening (Orthodontically Induced Inflammatory Root Resorption - OIIRR) in nearly every case. This can lead to the loss of up to 4mm or one third of the tooth's root length. In time this may lead to the loss of one or more teeth. The use of intermittent forces and removable appliances has been proven to cause little or no root shortening.
"The patients treated with fixed-appliances had notable OIIRR (root shortening), but the other group [using removable appliances] had none."
