If you are looking to correct an orthodontic problem, maybe for yourself or possibly for a teen, you want the process to go as quickly and smoothly as possible. At M. Scott Runnels Orthodontics in Destin, Inlet Beach, and Santa Rosa Beach, FL, we offer the Propel orthodontics system to do just that. This technique can shorten your treatment time and improve your teeth more efficiently than braces or a braces alternative alone.
What Are the Benefits of the Propel Orthodontics System?
This special technique can be used in conjunction with either braces or a braces alternative like Invisalign. During treatment with the system, a small handheld device is used to stimulate the body’s own production of new bone material in the jaw. This makes the teeth respond more quickly to the aligners or braces, shortening treatment times.
Faster Results With Braces or Braces Alternative
Perhaps the majority of the population will end up using braces or a braces alternative like Invisalign at some point. Unfortunately, not all parents are able or willing to fully treat their children’s orthodontic issues in childhood, meaning that some adults approach major life events, like a wedding, with less than perfect teeth.
One of the best benefits of this treatment is that it can dramatically speed up your treatment time, allowing you to reach these milestones with the look you want. These treatments can reduce the amount of time you spend treating your teeth by as much as 50%!
Speed Up Healing
Whenever you have braces put in, there will be an adjustment period. The same sort of thing happens when you use Invisalign. Whenever your braces are tightened or you switch to a new aligner, you can expect to have some odd sensations.
By using the Propel system, your teeth will adjust more quickly as bone growth speeds up. The result, then, is not just faster treatment but also a more comfortable and satisfying treatment experience.
Avoid More Extensive Treatments
Because of how effectively this treatment works in pushing your body to heal and remodel tissues on its own, it cannot only speed up treatment but also make treatment more effective. By making your orthodontic treatment more effective, the system may allow you to avoid more extensive or uncomfortable treatments later, and it can even help patients to avoid surgery in some cases.
FAQ About Propel Orthodontics
How Exactly Does It Work?
This treatment uses a process known as alveocentesis. Alveocentesis forces bone production to accelerate by making tiny micro-invasions into the area, essentially “tricking” the body’s normal healing system into working more quickly.
Each session with this accelerated orthodontic treatment forces a small-scale inflammatory response. This makes your body increase blood flow to the area, enhancing the body’s ability to repair and remodel tissue.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
Some people see an enormous improvement after just a single treatment. Other people need more treatments to get the favorable results they are hoping for, especially if their orthodontic issues are particularly difficult.
If you need more than one treatment, we will typically space your treatment out by about 6 to 8 weeks. This gives plenty of time for the first treatment to be effective in spurring your bones and tissues to grow quickly.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Just about anyone who would like to decrease the amount of time they spend wearing braces or aligners to correct their orthodontic issues can benefit from using this system. However, it is especially effective for adults.
When we are young, our teeth and jaws are more malleable and can more easily move into the new, desired position. As we become older, our teeth and jaws become more resistant to movement. Braces and aligners can still move the teeth, but it may take longer. Using this treatment can speed the process up.
Determining Eligibility
The main criterion for eligibility is having a healthy bone structure in the mouth. We will examine your teeth and take x-rays of the treatment area to analyze the condition of your bones before determining your eligibility. However, the good news is that nearly anyone who is a candidate for braces or aligners is also a candidate for this treatment.
Can Propel Be Used Alone?
This system is very effective for speeding up propel orthodontics treatment, however, by itself, it cannot actually fix problems with the teeth. It can only assist other systems in improving your orthodontic health. We offer a variety of effective orthodontic treatments that can address any orthodontic issues you may have. The Propel system can work with:
Traditional Braces
Traditional braces are used far less than they used to be, but they still have their place. Advancements in technology have made these more attractive and comfortable than ever, and traditional braces are sometimes still the best choice for the most serious and difficult orthodontic problems. They are also durable and inexpensive.
With traditional braces, we will attach metal brackets to your teeth and then use a series of bands and wires to move the teeth slowly into their correct position in your mouth. You will come periodically to have the braces tightened, and this is one of the fastest ways to see effective treatment: especially when you add Propel to the mix.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are similar to traditional braces, but the brackets are clear, making them less noticeable than traditional braces. The brackets are actually customized to match the color of your teeth, and these discreet brackets are very popular among adults with serious orthodontic issues who don’t want to call attention to their treatment. These braces can treat crossbites, misaligned teeth, underbites, and more.
The only downside of these braces is their fragility. They need a little bit more protection than the more durable metal of traditional braces, making them a less good option for teens or those who engage regularly in rough activities, like sports. The Propel system can also help speed up treatment with ceramic braces.
Invisalign
Invisalign is one of the most popular treatments in the propel orthodontics world. These customized plastic aligners are extremely discreet, fit comfortably over the teeth and into the mouth, and can work as quickly as traditional braces for many orthodontic issues. Additionally, they can be removed for sports, when eating, or when giving a presentation at work or school, making them the perfect choice for many people.
Unlike traditional braces, there are no dietary restrictions with Invisalign and no need to worry about trips to the emergency room after the football game to treat a broken wire or smashed bracket. With the Invisalign system, you get a new set of aligners regularly, and each set moves your teeth gently into their new positions. Using the Propel System with your Invisalign can help the whole process go much more quickly.
Invisalign Teen
The Invisalign system is very popular with teens, who appreciate the discreteness of this treatment. However, it is absolutely crucial that patients keep their aligners in at least 20-22 hours a day in order to see results. For busy teens with lives full of school requirements, after-school activities, and social engagements, it can be easy to forget and leave the aligners out.
Invisalign Teen avoids this problem by providing a discreet blue dot on each aligner that gradually fades, but only as it comes in contact with the mouth. This gives parents a very easy way to check up on their teens’ compliance and to help them remember to keep their aligners in.
Other Treatments
We have a variety of treatment options available at our office in addition to those mentioned above, so come talk to us about the fastest and easiest ways to treat your orthodontic concerns.
Does Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of This Accelerated Orthodontics Treatment?
Every dental insurance policy is different, so you will need to contact your own insurance company to find out whether your plan covers the cost of this treatment. If your plan does not cover these treatments, talk to us about the financing options we offer. Overall, this is an affordable technique that can shorten your overall time of treatment and thus ultimately lower your costs.
Look Into Accelerated Propel Orthodontics for Yourself
If you want a way to speed up your orthodontic treatment and make it more effective, this treatment could be the answer for you. We would love to help you get started and explain more about it. Contact M. Scott Runnels Orthodontics in Destin, Inlet Beach, and Santa Rosa Beach, FL today to find out if it’s right for you.
