One of the main questions we get from patients starting orthodontics is, “How long will my treatment take?” We know you’re probably eager to have that straight smile already, or maybe you just want to minimize the amount of time you have to wear braces or clear aligners. That’s where accelerated orthodontics come in.
Accelerated orthodontics is a modern method for significantly cutting down treatment time, sometimes from years to just months. If you’ve ever found yourself holding back on straightening your teeth because you don’t want to make such a long commitment, then accelerated orthodontics could be just what you’re looking for!
The Basics
To qualify for accelerated orthodontics, you should have all of your permanent teeth and you should have a healthy bone structure. If you want to see if you’re a good candidate, we recommend you schedule an appointment with a dental professional for an evaluation.
The great thing about accelerated orthodontics is that it can be used alongside any type of orthodontic treatment, including traditional braces and Invisalign®. And, of course, the biggest benefit is that you’ll lessen the length of your orthodontic treatment.
The PROPEL System
At Stroope Orthodontics, we provide PROPEL, a type of accelerated orthodontics. The PROPEL accelerated orthodontics procedure is designed to stimulate the bones in your teeth so that your teeth can shift into their new positions more quickly.
First, we take X-rays to examine the bone in your mouth and identify the best areas for small holes known as micro-osteoperforations. Then, we use the PROPEL accelerated orthodontics system to make these tiny holes (in general one to three on each side of a tooth) so that those teeth can move more easily. We use local anesthesia for this procedure, and there is minimal discomfort. It only takes about 20 minutes! With Propel, some patients can reduce their treatment time by half.
If you’d like to learn more about PROPEL accelerated orthodontics, contact our office. We’d be happy to chat further.
