ABOUT ACCELERATED ORTHODONTICS®
We know by the number of patients asking, that people are interested in expediting their orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic patients ask us:
- How can I speed up Invisalign or braces?
- What is the fastest way to straighten my teeth?
- Which is faster, Invisalign or braces?
The good news is that we often can speed up the process, whether you’ve opted for braces or Invisalign! Accelerated orthodontics can also help patients with hard-to-move teeth or underdeveloped alveolar bone, who may not have been candidates for orthodontic treatment in the past.
How Does Accelerated Orthodontics Work?
While the methods vary in invasiveness, one thing they all share in common is that they rely on a controlled inflammation process to encourage movement. The mechanism of any orthodontic movement is a turnover process of bone tissue resorption and rebuilding, called remodeling.
We tend to think of pain, and pretty immediately thereafter NSAIDs, when we think of inflammation. But inflammation plays an important role in the body’s healing processes. Briefly, it triggers local macrophages, which release cytokines and other molecules, which activate bone remodeling. The remodeling process is what allows teeth to move during orthodontic treatment.
At Dr. Lena Dentistry, we focus on two main types of accelerated orthodontics: surgical and physical. Physical methods are those that rely on non-surgical forces such as vibration. Let’s take a look at the ways we have to straighten your teeth faster than conventional orthodontics.
Micro Osteoperforation (MOP)
Micro osteoperforation is a procedure that creates micro “pinholes” in the bone tissue that surrounds the target teeth. This method represents a compromise between physical and surgical options. It’s a quick, microinvasive treatment that Dr. Lena can perform using a topical numbing gel, as part of your regular orthodontics appointments.
MOP is especially helpful for encouraging predictable movement in hard-to-move teeth. It can also move things along in general for patients who want to speed up their orthodontic treatment. It is most effective when we apply it once every four weeks.
Wilckodontics® / PAOO / SFOT
Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics, or PAOO, goes by many names. It’s also known as Surgically Facilitated Orthodontic Therapy (SFOT) and Wilckodontics®, named for its periodontist and orthodontist innovators–two brothers, both named Dr. Wilcko. (We’ll use the three names interchangeably.) This surgical orthodontics procedure is meant to be a collaboration between an orthodontist and a periodontist, both of whom must be trained in the specialized technique.
Wilckodontics employs surgical procedures to support orthodontic movement. It was initially developed to speed up orthodontic treatment by taking advantage of the rapid acceleratory phenomenon (RAP) that takes place when bone is traumatized with surgical cuts. Indeed, orthodontic movement with PAOO can be up to four times faster than with conventional orthodontics.
Additionally, PAOO has been further developed to allow safe movement of teeth in insufficient bone by adding to and augmenting missing bone thickness and soft-tissue integrity. Some orthodontic movements may in fact be impossible or unsafe without SFOT, risking recession or movement of teeth out of the bony confinement. This is especially the case for patients who present already with gum and bone recession, very thin bone, and lots of crowding in an underdeveloped jaw.
To be healthy, teeth need to be centered in bone. In order to achieve that, PAOO employs the following:
- Alveolar decortication, or selective scaling of the outer layer of jawbone using a piezo ultrasonic device that minimizes discomfort and recovery time
- A high-tech, fast-healing bone graft in place of the removed cortical bone
- Safe and effective orthodontic treatment with faster and more stable results
The result is that teeth can move faster and more safely to the desired position. Not only does this complete treatment in approximately half the time or less, it also leaves patients with more mineralized, stronger bone tissue. PAOO can also create better facial profiles without orthognathic surgery or skeletal expansion, when indicated.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Wilckodontics
Naturally, surgical procedures must be considered carefully. That said, the Wilckodontics procedure is minimally invasive, being accomplished via a small incision in the gum tissue. Dr. Lena works together with her patients to build a treatment plan that is just right for their specific circumstances and goals, and she will be able to let you know in a consultation whether or not you’re a good candidate for PAOO or another accelerated orthodontics treatment. To help you along as you consider your options, here are a few of the pros and cons of Wilckodontics:
Pros of PAOO
- Faster treatment
- Better periodontal health in the end
- Ability to move teeth when previously not possible or safe
- Better aesthetics
- Increased orthodontic stability, reducing the risk of relapse
Cons of PAOO
- Pain from surgery
- Possible failure, as with any surgical procedure
- Higher cost
Accelerated Orthodontics Near Me
Dr. Lena is a deeply passionate and experienced dentist offering accelerated orthodontics options in NYC. Make an appointment today to see her at Tribeca Dental Studio and find out how she can help you expedite your orthodontic treatment!
