Accelerated Orthodontics
There was a time that orthodontic treatment required a commitment to wearing braces or clear aligners for 2-3 years, sometimes longer. While most orthodontic patients will tell you that their results were worth waiting for, a considerable number of adults consider the duration of orthodontic treatment a deterrent to improving the health and appearance of their smile. Accelerated orthodontics is treatment option that may help you get your new smile, faster!
If you once decided not to pursue orthodontic treatment because of the amount of time it may take to reap the rewards of your investment, it’s important to know that Dr. Elena Black may be able to speed up your treatment. Whether you’re considering bracketed braces or clear aligners, knowing how Appalachian Orthodontics of Lynchburg could help your teeth assume their new position faster through accelerated orthodontics may help you determine if accelerated orthodontics might be the smile-enhancing solution you’ve been waiting for.
How Do Orthodontists Accelerate Treatment?
Tooth movement during orthodontic treatment typically requires consistent pressure on teeth for a considerable amount of time. The pressure from your braces causes one side of the tooth to compress against the membrane surrounding the roots of your teeth. The resulting pressure triggers an inflammatory response, allowing for tooth movement and bone remodeling to accommodate gradual changes.
With more than two decades of research investigating accelerated orthodontics development, accelerated orthodontics utilizes one of several methods to enhance this natural response and decrease treatment time. Accelerated orthodontics options typically include:
- Minor Periodontal Surgery
Accelerated orthodontic treatment most often begins about a week after braces are applied. If periodontal surgery is considered the best treatment option, your orthodontist will refer you to a periodontist (gum specialist) for a minor in-office procedure. After numbing the treatment area, your periodontist will make small perforations in the gum tissue and bone currently holding teeth securely in place. These perforations stimulate those tissues and help soften the bone to facilitate movement. The procedure itself typically causes about the same level of discomfort as a dental cleaning. - In-Office Stimulation
Your orthodontist may be equipped to offer a second minimally invasive treatment in their office. During a regular office visit or possibly a separate appointment, your orthodontist may prefer stimulating a favorable inflammatory response utilizing micro- osteoperforation (MOP). Similar in intent to services provided by a periodontist, this process speeds tooth movement by creating small perforations in the bone surrounding your teeth using a wand-like device. Your gums will be numbed before treatment and the process is most often completed in 10-20 minutes. - Vibrational Therapy
Depending on your needs, your orthodontist may recommend reducing treatment time using a vibratory orthodontic device. This home acceleration method speeds treatment time using precisely calibrated micro-pulses that stimulate the roots of your teeth and surrounding bone. When a vibrational therapy device is used with braces and aligners, treatment duration can be reduced by up to 50 percent. Vibrational therapy is also shown to reduce the discomfort of wearing orthodontic appliances by as much as 70 percent. Most patients report favorable results using a vibrational therapy device 5-20 minutes each day.
At Appalachian Orthodontics of Lynchburg, Dr. Elena Black works with periodontal specialists to offer a minimally-invasive technique called Periodontally-Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics. By working with periodontists and oral surgeons in a collaborative setting, Dr. Black is able to combine her orthodontic expertise with your periodontist’s, and work to create your best smile.
During your complimentary consultation, the expert team will discuss if this is an option for your treatment plan.
Could Accelerated Orthodontic Treatment be Right for You?
If you’re looking for the fastest way to straighten your teeth and perfect your smile with the fewest number of office visits, talk to your orthodontist about accelerated orthodontic treatment. Accelerated treatment provides the same benefits as conventional orthodontic treatment methods but requires considerably less time to reposition teeth. After completing accelerated treatment, you will likely be asked to wear a retainer for at least six months after you stop wearing braces to ensure tooth placement remains stable. All accelerated treatment typically requires, is permanent teeth and healthy bones. That means teens and adults can both benefit from accelerated orthodontic treatment.
Accelerated Orthodontics: Contact Us Today
To schedule your complimentary consultation with Appalachian Orthodontics of Lynchburg, contact us! Whether we meet you in person, or in a virtual setting, we can’t wait to make you smile!