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Figure 1. Overall design of the study: (A) Diagrammatic representation of the experimental procedure for the application of the orthodontic force system. The force system was applied and measured by a 3D force/torque transducer, and mounted onto a 6-axis-positioning table. By moving the transducer into the corresponding direction, we applied loads to the first molar. Areas under investigation in which immunopositive cells were counted: (a) mesio-coronal, (b) disto-coronal. (B) Occlusal view of the orthodontic appliance placed on the rat upper first molar. Fx: applied force. (C) The measured force curves indicate a constant loading of the rat molar in the x-direction. Other forces were close to zero.
