Accelerated orthodontics is a new way to address the most common question of a patient wearing
braces. How long is the treatment going to take? Accelerated orthodontics is becoming more popular with
adults because it allows teeth to straighten in months instead of years.
It is also important to understand that accelerated orthodontics does not only address the correction
of the front teeth. It is the way to speed up a regular full orthodontic treatment. Over
the last 15 years, different techniques are introduced to speed up the orthodontic treatment.
Some of these techniques include surgery. Some use certain devices but they all aim
to shorten the treatment time. The idea is to modify the bone temporarily so the teeth
can move faster in the jaws and the orthodontic treatment can be finished in a matter of months.
The different methods of accelerated orthodontics include corticotomies, Piezocision, Propel,
AcceleDent. These are just to name a few. Corticotomy is a type of minor surgical procedure.
It involves small cuts made on the bone around certain teeth to speed up the tooth’s movement.
It is done under local anaesthesia and the discomfort usually lasts only a few days.
Another method is Piezocision. It is a minimally invasive surgical procedure where a certain
frequency of vibrations are used to create micro injuries on the bone. Discomfort, if
any, usually lasts 12-24 hours after the procedure. Another option is using Propel. Propel is
a system where tiny perforations are made on the bone so the bone healing is stimulated
and the teeth move faster. These perforations can be made at different stages during the
orthodontic treatment. AcceleDent is another option. It is a device
that emits micro pulses that encourage bone healing and the teeth move faster. The patient
wears a vibrating mouthpiece everyday for 20 minutes on top of the braces.
There are some pros and cons of accelerated orthodontics. If the orthodontic treatment
is shorter, the problems that arise with long term braces such as tooth decay or gum problems
are reduced. When the patient sees the change quickly, they become more compliant. Also,
when the orthodontic treatment time is shorter, it helps the dental team and also the patient
to go for the ideal mouth disciplinary treatment plan.
Accelerated orthodontics is a new field so there’s not as much research or evidence
that shows how it affects the result of your treatment over a long period of time, though no adverse
effects are predicted as long as all instructions for treatment are followed correctly. Because
your teeth will shift quickly, you will require more frequent adjustments. You may be asked
to see your orthodontist twice a month instead of once a month. If you are wearing Invisalign
and having accelerated treatment, you have to be very compliant and wear the aligners
as instructed. Accelerated orthodontics are not for everyone.
Patients with bone disease, ankylosed teeth, non-compliant patients and heavy smokers are
not good candidates for these types of procedures. As with conventional orthodontics, you will
need to wear a retainer after the braces are removed to prevent your teeth from moving back to their original position.
Initially, these techniques were developed
to speed up the treatment. But lately, we have been using these, especially Piezocision
to address challenging orthodontic problems. Accelerated orthodontics is a relatively new
field and every year more research is being done and we’re using these techniques in
more diverse ways. Some of these are addressing gum recessions at the same time as orthodontic
treatment and also being able to solve challenging orthodontic problems more easily with the
help of such procedures. If you have always been bothered by crooked
teeth or have problems with biting and chewing but didn’t like the thought of wearing braces
for many years, accelerated orthodontics may be a good alternative for you.