DENTAL NEWS: A team of orthodontists at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio hopes to speed up and improve orthodontic treatment using a new device called the AcceleDent.
The study involves 34 patients ages 12 to 40 who need braces. Patients receive standard orthodontic treatment including any necessary extractions, and are fitted for braces at the Health Science Center Orthodontic Clinic. Once their braces are on, patients are provided with an AcceleDent device to use at home. The device, which stands about 4 inches high and features a wafer-thin mouthpiece attached to a small, sleek battery-operated handle, resembles something from a science fiction movie.
Patients are instructed to place the device in their mouth and bite down for 20 minutes a day during orthodontic treatment. While in the mouth, the device delivers a low-frequency pulsating vibration to the teeth. The vibration is not uncomfortable and barely noticeable to the patient. The researchers believe the vibratory forces, in combination with standard orthodontic treatment, will enhance the metabolism in bone tissue surrounding the teeth, thus allowing the teeth to move and straighten faster and more effectively.
Brent Tarver, vice president for clinical affairs and technology development at OrthoAccel, is optimistic about the research potential. "We are excited about this particular investigation because we expect it could lead to U.S. regulatory approval," Tarver said. Representatives at OrthoAccel predict the AcceleDent will be marketed in the United States in late 2010.
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MY DENTAL VIEWS: Interesting development but it would've been nice if they told us how much time this new device will "speed up" the average orthodontic treatment program. I mean, will reduce it by 12 months or 12 days?
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