Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Approaches in Accelerated Orthodontics

You probably know someone who has gone through the process of straightening their teeth with traditional braces. Perhaps they occasionally complained about the discomfort, or expressed that they wanted straighter teeth, but it was taking too darn long for their braces to actually work. Braces do work, of course, but if you simply don’t have time to go through all that getting traditional braces entails, you may want to consider an accelerated orthodontic treatment plan.

Imagine getting the smile you’ve always wanted after just a few months of treatment by your dedicated orthodontist at Orthodontics Limited. Well, thanks to accelerated orthodontics, this dream can become a reality. Orthodontists who specialize in such treatments use advanced technologies to expedite the teeth-straightening process. As you can probably imagine, the outcome is faster and more efficient treatment that delivers exceptional results in a shorter amount of time.

In today’s blog post, we’ll be doing a deep dive into the process behind accelerated orthodontics. We’ll be discussing surgical approaches, non-surgical approaches, and more — so stick around if you feel like this topic might be of interest to you!

How Does it Work?

If you’re thinking about opting for surgical or non-surgical approaches to accelerated orthodontics at a specialized orthodontic clinic, it’s important that you understand how this process actually works. In essence, the clinic will employ similar procedures to those used by regular orthodontists but with a focus on expediting the treatment timeline. The techniques used in both surgical and non-surgical approaches are designed to speed up the effectiveness of your existing orthodontic treatments (as long as they’ve proven successful over the years). These methods are often combined together, so just keep that in mind!

Of course, the non-surgical techniques employed in accelerated orthodontics are generally less invasive than traditional surgical procedures. We’ll be going into more detail in a bit, but basically, by using these non-surgical approaches in conjunction with other treatment methods, the overall treatment duration could be reduced significantly.

In cases where surgical intervention is necessary, accelerated orthodontics may incorporate procedures such as corticotomy or micro-osteoperforation. These surgical techniques involve making small incisions or creating tiny perforations in the bone surrounding the teeth, which stimulates accelerated tooth movement and promotes faster treatment progress. The idea of getting surgery might be a bit scary, but don’t worry! Here at Orthodontics Limited, we’ll take care of you.

Non-Surgical Approaches

If you’d rather go with a non-surgical approach than a surgical approach, we don’t blame you. Ultimately, this is going to depend on your situation, and whether or not your orthodontic treatment plan determines such proceedings. One commonly employed non-surgical method in accelerated orthodontics is micro-vibrations. This technique utilizes different forms of vibrations, which move the teeth and align them more rapidly than, say, traditional braces would. These small, controlled vibrations put gentle pressure on your teeth, which facilitates quicker and more efficient tooth movement. Micro-vibrations have proven to be very effective when it comes to speeding up the orthodontic process, and no surgical intervention is needed, which is always a plus!

Braces, though typically associated with longer treatment plans, can also be used as a non-surgical option in this field. When combined with other hastening procedures, braces can actually speed up the teeth-straightening process on a pretty significant level (so you shouldn’t completely throw away braces as an option). This will result in straighter teeth that make you proud of your smile! Most orthodontic care specialists will use advanced orthodontic appliances, customized braces, or clear aligners — all of which enhance treatment efficiency. We love to see it!

Surgical Approaches

While surgical approaches aren’t always necessary in everybody’s orthodontic treatment plan, they can play an important role. As you can imagine, surgical approaches really put the “accelerated” in accelerated orthodontics. One of the most common surgical techniques used in orthodontics is micro-osteoperforations. It involves creating small holes along the teeth using screws, which helps align the jaw and teeth more quickly than traditional braces or even Invisalign would.
Another of the many surgical approaches in accelerated orthodontics is known as piezocision. This technique involves making incisions through the bone and into the gums. By carefully controlling the incisions, the orthodontist can effectively stimulate the surrounding tissues and encourage faster tooth and bone movement. Your orthodontic specialist might also bring up corticotomies as an option. A corticotomy is a surgical approach that involves creating incisions to separate a flap of gum tissue from the jaw bone. This allows greater accessibility to the underlying bone, which will, in turn, facilitate faster orthodontic results.

Are Surgical and Non-Surgical Approaches Safe?

If you’re worried about the safety of surgical and non-surgical approaches in orthodontics, you’re definitely not alone. Rest assured, though, that with Orthodontics Limited, you’re in good hands. While certain medications used in the accelerated orthodontic process may have minimal side effects, you’re unlikely to experience complications, as these techniques (both surgical and non-surgical) have become second nature to our team of orthodontic professionals. Vibrations, laser treatments, and electrical currents used in the mouth typically pose no problems for the vast majority of people undergoing accelerated orthodontics.

Although surgical techniques carry some inherent risks, orthodontic specialists who perform accelerated orthodontics prioritize patient safety, and will undoubtedly make sure you’re comfortable throughout the entire process. At Orthodontics Limited, our orthodontists are well-versed in identifying signs of pain, infection, or adverse reactions to medications, so there’s no need to panic. Sit back, relax, and we’ll take good care of you. The fact that you’re in capable hands should provide you with some much-needed comfort, but if you want to talk about your concerns beforehand with the orthodontist, they would be perfectly happy to have that conversation with you!

The Bottom Line

Although orthodontists cannot magically straighten teeth in an instant, they can greatly shorten the time required to work on your smile by employing accelerated orthodontics. Orthodontic procedures, such as wearing appliances or undergoing frequent surgical interventions, can be uncomfortable. However, accelerated orthodontics can significantly minimize the amount of time you have to spend enduring these experiences. If you feel like accelerated orthodontics might be something you’re interested in, feel free to reach out and schedule a consultation today!