The thought of committing years to wear braces may put you off from the idea of getting braces altogether, but with accelerated orthodontics, you may be able to achieve the smile of your dreams in a shorter amount of time.
What is Accelerated Orthodontics?
Accelerated orthodontics is a type of orthodontics where your dental bones are treated in a way that accelerates the movement of your teeth and, in turn, shortens your treatment time with braces. The different types of accelerated orthodontics include:
Surgery- During minor surgery, the dental bone is perforated, and bone grafts are added to help give a better shape and to move the teeth. After this surgery, you will have to wear braces, but your treatment time will be shorter.
AcceleDent- This is a medical device that is used in-home with your braces and aligners. It helps to stimulate the bone remodeling that is needed to reposition your teeth. It can be used just 20 minutes a day to start seeing results. AcceleDent features SoftPulse Technology that facilitates tooth movement by applying consistent yet gentle pressure to your teeth through micropulse.
Propel System- The PROPEL System is a micro-invasive procedure that is performed in your orthodontist’s office. This procedure helps to reduce the time of your treatment significantly. Through a process called Microosteroperforation, the bones that support your teeth are stimulated to cause an inflammatory response. This accelerates tooth movement in the area that has been treated. This procedure can cut treatment time almost in half.
Invisalign- This orthodontic treatment uses a series of clear aligners to reposition y our teeth and can accelerate your treatment time. For the average teenager, they will need Invisalign for roughly a year, while some adults may need Invisalign for close to two years. Every patient has their own tooth alignment, so there is no perfect formula for determining how long treatment will be.
The amount of time that can be deducted from your treatment time will vary based on your particular tooth alignment issue and which type of accelerated treatment you choose. Generally, patients can expect to cut their treatment times almost in half.
Who is a Candidate for Accelerated Treatment?
Orthodontic patients who have jaw issues or require a lot of work to be done to straighten their teeth are great candidates for accelerated orthodontic treatment. For those with simple alignment issues, accelerated treatment is not necessary. This type of treatment can be used whether you have braces or aligners.
Drawbacks to Accelerated Orthodontics
The field of accelerated orthodontics is relatively new, and because of this, there is not as much evidence or research that shows how it affects the results of orthodontic treatment over time. Keep in mind, no adverse effects are predicted as long as the instructions for treatment are correctly followed.
Your teeth will shift faster with accelerated orthodontics, which means you will require more frequent adjustments. It is also essential to keep in mind that many orthodontists do not cover accelerated orthodontics, so you may end up paying upfront for the costs.
It’s essential to speak with your orthodontist at King Orthodontics to weigh the pros and cons of accelerated orthodontics and determine if this type of treatment is best for you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Dr. Bryan King earned his DMD from The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and holds his Master of Dental Science in Periodontics from The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Bryan has also completed an Orthodontic residency at St Barnabas Hospital in The Bronx, New York. Dr Bryan has received many honors as a practicing orthodontist including, being named a Diplomate of the American Board ofOrthodontics and being named a “Top Dentist” by Pittsburgh Magazine for several years running. He also earned the Lifetime achievement award given by Align Technologies in 2014 for his work with Invisalign.
