Although the aesthetic results of wearing braces is coveted by many, most patients aren’t thrilled about the process. In fact, one of the first questions orthodontists hear when discussing braces with a new patient is: “How long will I have to wear them?” Accelerated orthodontics is an advanced, emerging treatment approach designed to reduce the amount of time it takes to achieve a perfect smile. At The OrthoBee Orthodontics in Fountain Valley next door to Huntington Beach, California, board certified orthodontist Dr. Chi H. Bui offers accelerated orthodontics to qualifying patients from the Orange County area.
The length of time for standard orthodontic treatment depends on the individual's needs and goals. While the severity of the problem, age, type of treatment, and patient's compliance influence treatment time, other factors, like biology, also can affect it. Also, because children and teenagers grow at varying rates and respond to orthodontic treatment differently, the actual amount of time it takes for younger patients to successfully complete orthodontic treatment can differ from the original time estimate.
While treatment times do vary on a case-by-case basis, the average amount of time for complete orthodontic treatment is one to two years. More severe cases may require more than three years of treatment to reach the desired outcome.
Accelerated orthodontics is a new option for patients who don’t want to wait a year or longer to have straight teeth. These approaches can be used with traditional orthodontic appliances (including metal or ceramic braces) lingual braces, or Invisalign® used in combination with procedures designed to shorten the amount time required to straighten the teeth.
Treatments aimed at shortening orthodontic treatment time include:
PROPEL System:This approach harnesses your body’s own immune response to help speed treatment along. It’s based on the introduction of a minor amount of trauma designed to stimulate bone growth, which helps the braces move your teeth more quickly. It can also be used to release stubborn movements, such as rotated teeth.
Propel is an in-office procedure during which Dr. Bui gently perforates your gums and bones. This slight change in the shape of your mouth structure allows your teeth to move more easily into their desired positions. Studies show that this method can reduce the amount of time you’ll need to wear braces by more than 50 percent. Patients can go back to school or work the next day.
VPro5 and AccelDent®:These treatment systems are also designed to speed up the orthodontic process, but in a non-invasive way. It involves the use of a device that emits micro-pulses to encourage bone remodeling and help your teeth move faster. It requires you to use the device around your orthodontics for 5-20 minutes each day. Not only does it speed up your treatment, the added benefit of the device is that it can also reduce the discomfort of your orthodontic treatment.
Although accelerated orthodontics is a relatively new approach, preliminary studies suggest that the average treatment time for patients who use it is just three to eight months, with many patients achieving desired results in about five months. The primary benefit of accelerated orthodontics is its significant time savings, but it comes with another major advantage, too. Quick orthodontic treatment has less impact on your general oral health. That’s because wearing braces makes it more difficult to keep your teeth and gums free of decay. Wearing braces for a shorter amount of time can help you return to your normal oral hygiene routine faster and avoid tooth decay.
Although the aesthetic results of wearing braces is coveted by many, most patients aren’t thrilled about the process. In fact, one of the first questions orthodontists hear when discussing braces with a new patient is: “How long will I have to wear them?” Accelerated orthodontics is an advanced, emerging treatment approach designed to reduce the amount of time it takes to achieve a perfect smile. At The OrthoBee Orthodontics in Fountain Valley next door to Huntington Beach, California, board certified orthodontist Dr. Chi H. Bui offers accelerated orthodontics to qualifying patients from the Orange County area.
