Something to Smile About
By Annette Brooks
It’s easy to take modern dentistry for granted. Digital X-rays, in-office teeth whitening, and even cosmetic dental solutions, including composite tooth-colored fillings and all-porcelain crowns, once considered cutting-edge, are practically standard these days. But when it comes to services like faster orthodontic treatments with reliable outcomes, you can’t help but recognize the huge impact advanced technology has made on the field of dentistry. Thanks to innovations designed to safely and effectively accelerate tooth movement, you can be in and out of braces in months versus years. It’s great for busy parents and patients pressed for time (e.g., before yearbook pictures, leaving for college, a wedding, etc.), or those who simply want straighter teeth and want it to happen faster.
So, how do breakthrough technologies speed up orthodontic treatment time? Without getting too technical, you need to know that orthodontic tooth movement relies on your body’s natural biological response to sustained force. When force is applied to your teeth, bone cells mobilize around the root of the tooth, causing changes in the bone surrounding the tooth. This bone remodeling enables orthodontic treatments to move teeth into a new position.
While new orthodontic brace systems address how force is applied to the teeth, other technologies focus on what’s going on below the teeth. A Texas-based company claims their hands-free, FDA-cleared orthodontic device, AcceleDent, is clinically proven to speed up teeth movement and reduce discomfort by as much as 50 percent. Easy to use, its precisely calibrated, gentle vibrations transmit through the roots of your teeth to the surrounding bone. This process increases bone remodeling cellular activity and speeds the rate in which your teeth can move. It can decrease the discomfort associated with orthodontics, too.
Another approach uses light therapy instead of vibrations to promote faster tooth movements. Harnessing the power of near-infrared light, OrthoPulse, a device worn like a mouth guard that is FDA-cleared for use with both traditional braces and clear aligners, uses low levels of light energy to stimulate the bone surrounding the roots of your teeth to facilitate tooth movement.
Of course, not everyone is a candidate for faster-acting orthodontic treatment. After a thorough exam, your treatment provider will let you know which orthodontic system should work best for you and your budget, and if a bone remodeling device used in conjunction with your treatment may be suitable for you.
With so many new technologies available, there’s no better time than now to begin orthodontic treatment for your children or yourself. Call your orthodontic provider today to schedule a consultation and get ready to reap the many benefits of straighter teeth, an aligned bite, and a more attractive smile.
