If you’re looking for a speedier way to straighten your teeth with braces, you’re in luck. Accelerated orthodontics is a new concept in orthodontic treatment that can accomplish the same goals as traditional orthodontics in much less time.
“Accelerated orthodontics is becoming popular with adults because the procedure allows teeth to straighten in months rather than years,” says Robert Bray, DDS, an orthodontist in Atlantic City, NJ, and president of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).
According to the AAO, today one in five orthodontic patients is an adult.
Advantages of Accelerated Orthodontics
The main advantage of accelerated orthodontics is speed. “With traditional orthodontics, patients may need to wear braces for two to four years, but accelerated orthodontics shortens that time to under a year,” explains Dr. Bray. Most accelerated orthodontics patients wear braces for just three to eight months.
With orthodontic therapy, you get more than a pretty smile. There are health advantages as well. Because braces help to correct structural problems that may be causing an overbite or crooked teeth, accelerated orthodontics, just like traditional orthodontics, can improve your overall dental health. Having “straight teeth contributes to the health of teeth and gums, as well as the ability to effectively bite, chew, and speak,” says Bray.
Disadvantages of Accelerated Orthodontics
Accelerated orthodontics requires a minor surgical procedure, usually performed by a periodontist (gum specialist) about a week after the braces are applied.
Done under local anesthesia, the in-office surgical procedure alters the gums and bones that hold the teeth in place, which allows the teeth to move into their proper places more quickly. The surgery typically causes the same amount of discomfort as a dental cleaning. It is common, though, for patients to experience an itching sensation with accelerated orthodontics because the teeth move much faster than with traditional braces.
The Basics of Braces and Orthodontia
As with traditional orthodontics, accelerated orthodontics involves the use of braces — devices that place pressure on the teeth, forcing them to shift into the proper position. There are three general types of orthodontic braces — ceramic, lingual, and metal. Bray says that any of these types of braces may be used in accelerated orthodontics:
- Ceramic braces. Made of composite materials, ceramic braces are very strong and stain-resistant. Ceramic braces blend in with teeth and aren’t as noticeable as metal braces. But the ligatures — bands that hold wires to the ceramic brackets — can stain your teeth if you smoke or drink coffee. However, these bands are replaced every time you get an adjustment — usually once a month.
- Lingual braces. Placed behind your teeth, lingual braces are hidden from view and are popular with adults who don’t want anyone to know they’re wearing braces. “Although lingual braces can be used with accelerated orthodontics, they can be more challenging to apply and it may be more difficult to get the desired result than with ceramic or metal braces,” explains Bray. They’re also more expensive.
- Metal braces. Although metal braces are very strong and can withstand even the most aggressive accelerated orthodontics treatment, they are the most visible. Initially, metal braces can be more irritating to the gums than other braces, but they’re also the least expensive.
As with traditional orthodontics, you’ll need to wear a retainer periodically after the braces are removed to prevent your teeth from moving back to their original incorrect position, says Bray.
Is Accelerated Orthodontics Right for You?
Accelerated orthodontics is effective in most cases where traditional orthodontics is the recommended treatment. Because accelerated orthodontics is fairly new, there are no long-term studies on how well it works. “However, the procedure appears safe and very effective,” says Bray.
The cost is similar to traditional orthodontic treatment, even though the length of treatment is shorter. This is because several doctors, including an orthodontist and a periodontist, are involved in the treatment. Expect to pay $2,000 to $6,000 for accelerated orthodontics treatment, which is not usually covered by insurance. Most orthodontics practices offer payment plans, however.
Accelerated orthodontics provides the same results as traditional orthodontics, but in much less time. If you’ve always been bothered by crooked teeth or have problems with biting and chewing, but dread the thought of wearing braces for several years, accelerated orthodontics may be a good alternative. Ask your dentist for a referral to an orthodontist with training and experience in accelerated orthodontics or visit the AAO Web site to find an orthodontist near you.