Acceleration of Orthodontic Tooth Movement Overview

Abstract

The achievable rate of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) is a crucial predictor of treatment time, with most studies estimating 1 mm of movement every month. Accelerating OTM is important due to the annual increase in adult patients seeking orthodontic treatment, as they are not growing and have slower rates of tissue metabolism and regeneration. Various surgical and nonsurgical techniques have been used to accelerate tooth movement by interfering with biological pathways affecting bone cell activity. Approaches to OTM acceleration can be invasive, minimal, and micro- or non-invasive, and can be achieved through pharmacological agents, physical devices, vibration, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound, direct electric current, and photobiomodulation.