Osteocytes are specialized eukaryotic bone cells that originate from osteoblast. Osteocytes are embedded within the bone matrix and are mechanosensors; these detect forces that are applied to teeth during treatment. When braces place pressure on a tooth, osteocytes sense the stress and release chemical signals that regulate the activity of osteoclasts (bone-resorbing cells) and osteoblasts (bone-forming cells). The communication between these cells ensures that bone is broken down on the pressure side and rebuilt on the tension side, allowing for stable tooth movement. Without the regulatory function of osteocytes, orthodontic forces would not effectively remodel bone.

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