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Device Claims To Get Braces Off Faster

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Nov 3, 2009 6:10 pm US/Eastern

Device Claims To Get Braces Off Faster

BOSTON (WBZ) ― Alyssa Uecker, 14, has had her braces for six months. She's excited to be on her way to a better smile. "My teeth were overcrowded and I didn't like my smile," Uecker said. "I want them to be straight."

As part of her treatment, Alyssa is part of a study of a product called AcceleDent, a handheld device she places in her mouth for a few minutes each night. It delivers a subtle, pulsing vibration.

It's a therapy first conceived to help orthopedic patients with osteoporosis. "Bone becomes better if it is exposed, for a short period of time, maybe 10 or 20 minutes per day, to vibration," explained orthodontist and device co-inventor Dr. Dubravko Pavlin.

The average time spent in braces is about two years. The inventors of AcceleDent predict daily use of the vibrating plate may decrease treatment time by 30 percent to 50 percent. That would be a major saving in time, discomfort, and possible side effects, like decay around the braces themselves.

Alyssa says it's easy to use and not uncomfortable. "It's not like moving to the point where it's annoying," she explained, "or like it hurts. You can just tell its there."

Thirty-four patients are now testing the device, which may ultimately make the effects of orthodontic treatment more permanent, by stimulating bone remodeling. "Anything that can provide the same results, same quality of results, with the treatment in shorter time would always be welcomed, by the orthodontic community and by patients," said Dr. Pavlin.

The AcceleDent device will be on the market in Europe this fall. It could be available here in the United States by next fall. 

The University of Texas Health Science Center Department of Orthodontics accepts public patients. For more information, call (210) 567-0072.

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