Accelerated Orthodontics: Getting Ahead of Ourselves

Orthodontic treatment is possibly, in terms of duration, the lengthiest dental procedure performed. Lengthy orthodontic treatment prompts many patients, especially adults, to either avoid treatment or to seek shorter alternative solutions with compromised results. Extended orthodontic treatment duration may also be associated with an increased risk of root resorption, periodontal disease, dental caries and loss of patient motivation. Accelerating orthodontic tooth movement has long been desired for its multiple potential benefits including shorter treatment duration, improved post treatment stability and reducing side effects associated with prolonged treatment.  When an orthodontic force is delivered to a tooth certain mechanical, chemical, and cellular events take place within the paradental tissues resulting in architectural alterations that bring about tooth movement. By increasing body's response to the orthodontic forces, tooth movement can be accelerated and treatment time can be reduced. Attempts to accelerate tooth movement date back to the 1890s; almost contemporary with Angle's groundbreaking work in modern orthodontics. Today, accelerated orthodontics may be accomplished by several approaches that include invasive, minimally invasive and non-invasive procedures. Invasive approach includes interseptal alveolar surgery and corticotomy while minimal invasive methods include modifications of surgical procedure such as peizocision, corticision and microosteoperforations