The Advantages of Using AcceleDent in Orthodontic Treatment

I had an overbite growing up and even though my teeth weren’t awfully crooked, I remember looking a bit like a chipmunk! My whole family had problems with their teeth, and no doubt my children as well, so going through braces was my ‘coming of age’ chapter in a sense. I only needed braces for about a year, but that year seemed like an eternity. Being a teenager in high school wasn’t easy so naturally I was a little self-conscious. All I could think about was the day my braces came off, and if only there was a way to speed up the process so I could finally look forward to the next blue light disco!

Teenagers today certainly have it much easier than I did with all the new orthodontic technology available. One of the most ground-breaking methods of accelerating teeth movement is through a small device called 'AcceleDent'.

What is AcceleDent?

Launched in 2012 in the USA, AcceleDent is a small handheld device which uses cyclic forces and soft pulse technology to accelerate teeth movement by as much as 50%¹. Commonly used in conjunction with popular orthodontic treatments such as Invisalign or Insignia Braces, AcceleDent is a fantastic technology which considerably decreases orthodontic treatment times and the related costs. Just visualise the smile on your kids face when you tell them they only need braces for half the amount of time as normal! AcceleDent not only reduces treatment times, but also minimises the pain and discomfort associated with braces by using this device for only 20 minutes each day.

How does AcceleDent work?

‘Bone remodelling’ is the process whereby teeth can be moved into the desired position by your orthodontist. When force is applied to a tooth, bone cells congregate around the root of the tooth due to a cellular response. This cellular response induces changes in the bone surrounding the tooth which enables orthodontists to move teeth into the correct position.

AcceleDent involves using a small portable mouthpiece which is connected to an activator that gently delivers painless vibrations to the jawbone and the roots of each tooth. In a nutshell, these vibrations boost the bone remodelling process so teeth can be moved and stabilised into their new position in a quicker, safer, and more efficient way. In addition, you aren’t required to consult your orthodontist any more than usual, however you'll clearly need your aligners to replaced more regularly if used in conjunction with Invisalign.

How do I use AcceleDent?

While AcceleDent technology is advanced, the process is extremely simply and easy to use. Just follow these instructions:

1.    Attach your mouthpiece to the activator and turn it on

2.    Place the mouthpiece in your mouth

3.    Bite down firmly to ensure the mouthpiece stays in place

4.    Ensure there is contact on all sides of the mouthpiece for maximum effectiveness

You don’t need to hold the mouthpiece in position with your hands, so the cycle can be done while you’re undertaking other tasks such as surfing the net or playing PlayStation.Keep in mind though that you can only stop the activator for a maximum of 5 minutes at a time, so if you expect any time-consuming interruptions you may want to postpone your cycle for another time. The cycle only takes around 20 minutes and it should be used around the same time every day. All you need to do is keep it clean by washing your mouthpiece with water and rechargingthe batteries every now and then. Sounds easy right?

Is AcceleDent safe?

AcceleDent is a non-invasive way of accelerating your teeth straightening process. AcceleDent has been approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) as a Class II medical device which has no adverse health effects or tooth root damage. Not only is the treatment painless, the vibrations applied to each patient's teeth have been found to decrease the soreness and sensitivity that can be brought on by wearing and tightening braces.

What are the downsides?

Presently, the only disadvantage of using AcceleDent is that not all orthodontists provide this kind of innovative treatment. Only a handful of Australian orthodontists use this technology, however all the patients at Clear Smiles Orthodontics who are currently having Invisalign treatment or Insignia Braces are strongly encouraged to use AcceleDent as well.

If only AcceleDent was offered when I had braces! The technique is simple, but the results are outstanding. If you have any inquiries or concerns about using AcceleDent, our team at Clear Smiles Orthodontics would be more than happy to answer them. Simply phone 07 5593 3373 for additional information.