Do you need to get braces, Invisalign, or another orthodontic treatment? If so, you may be going over the care instructions so that your appliances work in the best way possible. You may also be concerned about your treatment timeline, as patients tend to want to speed up the entire process as much as possible while still getting good results.

One way you could potentially speed up your treatment is with a propel accelerated device. Read on to learn more about this device to see if it'd be a good fit for you.

What Are Propel Accelerated Devices?

Propel accelerated devices look similar to mouth guards, except they have an electronic motor that gently vibrates the appliance while you wear it for a short period of time. These devices can be used both with braces and clear aligners.

Before your dentist prescribes a device, they will use a small needle-like instrument to make small holes in the gum line around teeth that need to be corrected. These small holes are known as micro-osteoperforations. Micro-osteoperforations don't hurt, as your dentist will administer a local anesthetic beforehand. Once the micro-osteoperforations are placed, then you can use the propel accelerated device.

How Do These Devices Work?

The goal of the propel device is to cause the breakdown and rebuilding of bone tissue around micro-osteoperforations and to encourage faster tooth movement.

If you exercise, you know that muscles develop micro-tears from the physical activity. These micro-tears then signal that the body needs to repair itself and grow stronger muscle. The accelerated propel device can be compared to an exercise, but instead of muscle tears, the vibrations affect bone cells around the micro-osteoperforations. In response, the body repairs itself by increasing jaw bone density and directing tooth roots to more ideal positions.

Ultimately, a propel accelerated device should reduce the length of an orthodontic treatment.

What Are the Advantages of Shorter Treatments from Propel Devices?

While you may want to shorten your treatment times with propel devices so that you don't have to worry about aesthetics, there are some functional advantages to shorter treatment times. One review found that shorter treatment times reduce the risk of gingival recession, root resorption, and enamel decalcification.

While more studies need to be conducted, a 2019 study did find that high-frequency vibration (HFV) — like propel devices — was able to lead to shorter treatment times for people with mild to moderate malocclusions. Even before treatment is started, groups that used HFV saw significant increases in their bone density compared to other groups.

Reach out to your dentist to learn more about propel accelerated devices.