Hello, I am Dr. Bruce Vafa. Welcome to my blog. As a dentist who has spent years perfecting smiles, I hear one question more than any other. It isn’t about whether the treatment hurts, and it usually isn’t even about the cost. The most common question I hear is: “Doc, how long is this going to take?”
In our modern world, we are used to getting things instantly. We have high-speed internet, same-day delivery, and instant streaming. Yet, when it comes to straightening teeth, the timeline has historically been slow. For decades, orthodontic treatment was a marathon that lasted two or even three years. But I am here to tell you that technology has changed. We have entered a new era of dentistry where we can safely speed up biology.
If you have been dreaming of a perfect smile but dread the idea of wearing aligners for years, this post is for you. We are going to dive deep into the world of accelerated orthodontics and how we can achieve Fast Invisalign results without compromising quality or safety.
The Old Way vs. The New Way
To understand why accelerated orthodontics is such a game-changer, we first need to look at how teeth move. Many people think that braces or clear aligners simply “push” teeth through the gums. However, the process is actually much more complex and fascinating.
Teeth are held in place by bone. For a tooth to move, the bone in front of the tooth needs to break down (a process called resorption), and new bone needs to be built behind the tooth to fill the gap. This is a natural biological process known as “bone remodeling.”
In traditional orthodontics, we apply constant pressure to the teeth using wires or aligners. This pressure signals the body to start that remodeling process. However, the body works at its own pace. It can be a slow cycle, which is why traditional treatments take 18 to 24 months on average.
This is where accelerated orthodontics comes in. By using specific, safe techniques, we can stimulate the bone to remodel faster. We aren’t just pushing the teeth harder; we are helping the biological environment around the tooth respond more efficiently. This allows us to deliver Fast Invisalign treatments that can cut your time in clear aligners by up to 50%.
What is Accelerated Orthodontics?
Accelerated orthodontics refers to a set of advanced techniques and devices designed to speed up the bone remodeling process. When I treat patients at my office, I look for the most effective and least invasive ways to help them finish their treatment sooner. There are two main categories of acceleration that we use alongside Invisalign: high-frequency vibration devices and micro-osteoperforation.
High-Frequency Vibration (HFV)
This might sound a bit like science fiction, but it is science fact. Devices like VPro5 or AcceleDent are small, hands-free tools that you use at home. They look a bit like a mouthguard attached to a small handle.
You simply bite down gently on the device for just 5 to 20 minutes a day (depending on the specific brand). The device sends soft, high-frequency vibrations through your teeth and into the surrounding bone. These micro-pulses stimulate cellular activity. It wakes up the cells responsible for moving your teeth, helping them work more efficiently.
Beyond just speed, these vibrations have another massive benefit: comfort. The gentle pulses act almost like a massage for your teeth, which can significantly reduce the soreness you might feel when you switch to a new set of Invisalign trays.
Micro-Osteoperforation (MOPs)
The second method is called Micro-Osteoperforation, often associated with a device called Propel. This is a procedure I perform right here in the office. It is minimally invasive and very effective.
Here is how it works: I create tiny, pinhole-sized indentations in the gum tissue and the outer layer of the bone between specific teeth. While this sounds intense, I assure you it is not. We use local anesthesia, so you don’t feel pain. These tiny “injuries” trigger a natural inflammatory response. In the medical world, this is called the “Regional Acceleratory Phenomenon” (RAP).
When the body senses these tiny pinholes, it sends a rush of blood flow and cytokines (healing proteins) to the area to repair it. This reaction makes the bone temporarily softer and more pliable, allowing the teeth to move through it much faster than usual.
Key Data Points on Speed and Efficiency
You might be wondering if this actually works or if it is just marketing. The clinical evidence is quite strong. Let’s look at two significant data points that highlight why I recommend this to my patients.
- Treatment Time Reduction: Clinical studies have demonstrated that using Micro-Osteoperforation (MOPs) can increase the rate of tooth movement by up to 62%. This means a treatment plan that was originally scheduled for 18 months could potentially be finished in roughly 7 to 9 months.
- Reduced Discomfort: Research regarding High-Frequency Vibration indicates that patients who use these devices report up to a 71% reduction in pain levels typically associated with orthodontic force. This transforms the patient experience from something painful to something manageable.
Why “Fast Invisalign” is the Ultimate Combination
Invisalign on its own is already a fantastic technology. It uses computer algorithms to plot the perfect path for every single tooth. When we combine the precision of Invisalign with the biological boost of accelerated orthodontics, we get the best of both worlds.
With standard Invisalign, I usually tell patients to wear each set of aligners for 10 to 14 days. This gives the bone enough time to remodel before we apply new pressure with the next tray. However, when we use acceleration devices or Propel, the bone is more responsive.
Because the teeth are moving more freely, my patients can often switch their trays every 5 to 7 days instead of every two weeks. You are literally moving through your treatment twice as fast. This is the secret to Fast Invisalign.
Who is a Candidate for Accelerated Orthodontics?
One of the best things about these technologies is that they are versatile. Almost anyone who is a candidate for Invisalign is also a candidate for accelerated orthodontics. Whether you have crowding, spacing, or bite issues, we can likely speed up your treatment.
This is particularly popular among my adult patients. Teens are often okay with wearing braces for a while—it’s almost a rite of passage. But adults have deadlines. You might have a wedding coming up in six months, a graduation, a big job interview, or a vacation where you want to look your best. Accelerated orthodontics gives you the control to meet those deadlines.
Important Considerations
While most people are candidates, I always conduct a thorough exam first. We need to ensure your gum health is excellent. Because we are stimulating bone remodeling, we need to make sure there is no active gum disease (periodontal disease). Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile.
Is It Safe?
Safety is my top priority. I would never recommend a treatment that puts your teeth at risk. The concept of accelerating tooth movement has been studied for many years. The devices we use are FDA-cleared and have been used safely on thousands of patients worldwide.
In fact, in some ways, accelerated treatment can be safer for your teeth than long-term treatment. Prolonged orthodontic treatment can sometimes lead to issues like root resorption (shortening of the tooth roots) or decalcification (white spots on teeth) because it is difficult to keep teeth clean around braces for years. By finishing your treatment faster, we reduce the amount of time your teeth are under stress and the time plaque has to build up around appliances.
For more information on the safety and efficacy of orthodontic treatments, you can read resources provided by the American Association of Orthodontists, which discusses the standards of care we adhere to.
The Patient Experience: What to Expect
If you decide to move forward with Fast Invisalign at my office, here is what the journey looks like:
- Consultation: We take 3D scans of your teeth using a digital scanner—no gooey impressions! We discuss your goals and I create a digital roadmap of your new smile.
- The Acceleration Plan: We decide which method is best for you. If you choose the vibration device, I will show you how to use it at home. If we choose Propel (MOPs), we schedule a quick visit for the procedure.
- Getting Your Aligners: You receive your series of clear aligners. Instead of changing them every two weeks, I will give you a specific schedule, usually changing them weekly.
- Monitoring: We will see you periodically to check your progress. Because the teeth are moving faster, we often see dramatic changes in just the first few months.
- Refinement: Once the main movements are done, we do a final check. Sometimes we need a few extra trays to make things perfect, but even this stage is faster with acceleration.
The Value of Your Time
Let’s talk about cost. Accelerated orthodontics does involve an additional investment on top of the standard Invisalign fee. The devices and procedures require specialized equipment and expertise.
However, when you evaluate the cost, you must factor in the value of your time. How much is it worth to you to be done with treatment a year early? How much is it worth to attend your wedding with a perfect smile instead of wearing trays? For many of my patients, the time saved is worth far more than the monetary cost.
Furthermore, fewer months in treatment often means fewer visits to the office. This saves you time away from work, school, or your family. It is an efficiency that pays off in your daily life.
Addressing Common Myths
There is a lot of misinformation on the internet, so I want to clear up a few myths about speeding up orthodontic treatment.
Myth 1: Moving teeth fast damages the roots.
This is only true if you use extreme force. Fast Invisalign does not use heavy force. It uses biological stimulation. We are actually making the bone more cooperative, so the teeth move with less resistance. This protects the roots rather than harming them.
Myth 2: It hurts more.
As I mentioned earlier, the opposite is usually true. The vibration devices are proven to reduce pain. Even the micro-osteoperforation procedure causes very little discomfort post-op—usually treated easily with an over-the-counter Tylenol.
Myth 3: The results aren’t as stable.
Stability comes from wearing your retainers after treatment, regardless of how long the treatment took. Whether you straightened your teeth in 6 months or 24 months, you will need to wear a retainer at night to keep them there. The bone heals just as strongly after accelerated treatment as it does after standard treatment.
Optimizing Your Results
To get the absolute best results from Fast Invisalign, you are a partner in this process. Technology can only do so much; I need your help too. This means wearing your aligners for 22 hours a day. It means using your vibration device every single day if that is part of your plan. And it means maintaining impeccable oral hygiene.
When you commit to the process, the results are truly stunning. I have seen patients transform their confidence in a matter of months. It is incredibly rewarding for me as a doctor to see that light switch on in a patient’s eyes when they look in the mirror.
Your New Smile Awaits
We are living in a golden age of orthodontics. You no longer have to choose between quality and speed. With accelerated orthodontics, you can have a healthy, beautiful, straight smile in a timeline that fits your busy life.
I hope this post has helped demystify the concept of Fast Invisalign. If you are tired of hiding your smile and want to see if you are a candidate for these accelerated techniques, I invite you to come in for a consultation. Let’s sit down, look at your unique needs, and map out a plan to get you to your perfect smile in half the time.
Your future smile is closer than you think. Let’s make it happen.