Accelerated orthodontics- a review

The orthodontic treatment is, perhaps, in terms of duration, the longest-performed dental procedure. It is universally accepted that if the duration of the orthodontic treatment is reduced, there will be an increased favourable attitude towards the orthodontic therapy. Unfortunately, long orthodontic treatment time also poses several disadvantages like higher predisposition to dental caries, gingival recession and root resorption. Accelerating orthodontic tooth movement can notably reduce treatment duration and risks of side effects. Orthodontic treatment involves the response of the tissues surrounding the tooth on which the force is being applied that happens on a chemical, cellular and mechanical level. So to enhance the body’s response to these orthodontic forces, various ways were found to accelerate the treatment such as surgical methods (corticotomy, piezosurgery, etc), mechanical/ physical stimulation methods (vibration, lasers), drugs, magnets etc. These methods have been successfully proven to reduce treatment times by up to 70%. Hence, this review encapsulates the current knowledge on the accelerated orthodontic tooth movement.