AcceleDent: What You Need to Know
Pros & cons
How it works
Safety considerations
How soon you see results
Fast facts
The AcceleDent system is an FDA-cleared, hands-free medical device that speeds up tooth movement during orthodontic treatment. Worn for 20 minutes a day, the mouthpiece fits over traditional metal braces or clear aligners, like Invisalign, to reduce the time between adjustments or trays by up to 50%.Â
AcceleDent works by using SoftPulse technology to transmit micropulses of gentle vibration (much gentler than an electric toothbrush) through your teeth roots to the surrounding bone, which increases cellular activity. Also called bone remodeling, the process encourages faster tooth movement, with less pain.
There are three generations of AcceleDent—Classic, Aura, and Optima—which all work the same way. The AcceleDent Aura replaced the former (Classic) model, and the main product is now the Optima. AcceleDent Optima is lighter and connects to an app that sends you reminders and tips to help keep you on track. It also offers tracking, warranty registration, connection with your dentist, and motivation to keep using your device every day.Â
Regardless of the model you use, you’ll need to stick to a daily treatment plan to maximize its effectiveness.
Pros
- It's convenient. The device is hands-free and fully waterproof, so you can even use it in the shower.
- By using AcceleDent regularly, you’ll be able to move to your next trays of aligners, like Invisalign, more quickly. For example, instead of replacing your aligners every two weeks, you may get to move to the next set every week to 10 days. This can shorten your overall treatment time by a few months.
- If you wear traditional braces, your wires can be adjusted more frequently.
- Orthodontic patients also say they experience less soreness when they start using AcceleDent.
Cons
- It’s expensive, and insurance doesn’t cover it.
- Patients with complicated orthodontic issues may not be suitable for accelerated treatment.Â
- People using osteoporosis drugs and those with poor oral hygiene or periodontal disease aren't good candidates.
Use the hands-free device in a 20-minute session, once a day. Fit the mouthpiece around your braces or clear aligners. Your bite pressure should be enough to keep the mouthpiece in without using your hands, but try to comfortably relax your jaw and facial muscles while keeping it stable.Â
The activator attached to the mouthpiece will use SoftPulse technology to transmit gentle vibrations called micropulses through your teeth roots to the bone. This should feel
You can pause your session up to six times. The seventh time, the internal timer will automatically turn the device off and reset the session, so you'd have to start over.Â
While you can do a session in the shower, avoid using the AcceleDent device while sleeping.
Dr. Steven Davidowitz, a dentist in New York City, says that AcceleDent is safe for patients of all ages. “AcceleDent is FDA-cleared as a class II medical device. Years of retrospective studies were needed to get that status, showing the product is safe and effective,” he explains. “I have reviewed the device for the American Academy of Cosmetic Orthodontics, and as I stated in the review, the device—when used in conjunction with light-force orthodontics (i.e., Invisalign)—is completely safe and miraculous, in my opinion.”
Some people who use AcceleDent for faster tooth movement achieve their alignment goals in as little as half the normal treatment time. That means that instead of finishing Invisalign treatment in 6–18 months (the typical range), you could be done in 3–9 months, depending on the severity of your alignment issues.
“Typically, Invisalign trays are worn for 14 days between changes,” says Dr. Davidowitz. “With AcceleDent, we’re reducing wear time to seven days for moderate to severe cases and five days for mild cases.” Because of this, you may need to see your dentist or orthodontist more frequently.
Updated June 13, 2023