In recent years, great development has been made in cytomechanics in orthodontic tooth movement（OTM）.The essential role of periodontal ligament in OTM has been widely accepted. The in vitro models have become an important way to reveal the biological mechanism in OTM,largely based on periodontal ligament cells(PDLCs), as well as other cells, including bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblast, cementoblast and myoblast.The in vitro models have been renovated from the traditional ways stressing the 2Dcultured cells by deformation of the bottom,gravity, hydrostatic pressure or centrifugation, to the establishment of various novel models loading mechanical stimulation on cells 3Dcultured in bioscaffolds. The molecular expression involved in the osteoblastic differentiation and osteoclastogenesis induction in the bone remodeling cycle has drawn great attention, and will continue to be a focus of study. Furthermore, with the identification of periodontal ligament stem cells(PDLSCs), the cytomechanics involved in OTM and periodontitis, will undoubtedly be a promising new direction.