Can Vibrational Forces Accelerate Tooth
Movement?
Spoiler: the answer is NO (see below).
In December of 2017, I wrote an article
in my blog entitled Accelerated Tooth Movement
with Orthodontics summarizing what we know about the different products
that claim to accelerate tooth movement in Orthodontics. I also included a more extensive review of
bone physiology and chemistry related to tooth movement under orthodontic
forces. The summary I provided from the
articles reviewed at that time was that vibrational devices did not show any
ability to increase tooth movement despite claims by the product and even
dentists that were not informed.
Again this month, there was an
extensive scientific study to evaluate continued claims that vibrational devices
can close spaces and move teeth faster. The
study (abstract is copied to the blog below) was prominently featured on the
April 2018 cover of the AJO-DO (American Journal of Orthodontics &
Dentofacial Orthopedics) seen below:
Effects of supplemental vibrational force on space
closure, treatment duration, and occlusal outcome: A multicenter randomized
clinical trial
DiBiase,
Andrew T. et al.
American
Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics , Volume 153 , Issue 4 ,
469 - 480.e4
Highlights
This was a randomized controlled trial
investigating vibrational force and fixed appliance treatment.
Vibrational force does
not increase the rate of space closure.
Vibrational force does
not influence the final treatment outcome.
Vibrational force does
not influence the overall treatment time.
Introduction
A multicenter parallel 3-arm randomized clinical trial
was carried out in 3 university hospitals in the United Kingdom to investigate
the effect of supplemental vibratory force on space closure and treatment
outcome with fixed appliances.
Methods
Eighty-one subjects less than 20 years of age with
mandibular incisor irregularity undergoing extraction-based fixed appliance
treatment were randomly allocated to supplementary (20 minutes/day) use of
an intraoral vibrational device (AcceleDent; OrthoAccel Technologies, Houston,
Tex) (n = 29), an identical nonfunctional (sham) device
(n = 25), or fixed-appliance only (n = 27). Space closure
in the mandibular arch was measured from dental study casts taken at the start
of space closure, at the next appointment, and at completion of space closure.
Final records were taken at completion of treatment. Data were analyzed blindly
on a per-protocol basis with descriptive statistics, 1-way analysis of
variance, and linear regression modeling with 95% confidence intervals.
Results
Sixty-one subjects remained in the trial at start of
space closure, with all 3 groups comparable for baseline characteristics. The
overall median rate of initial mandibular arch space closure (primary outcome)
was 0.89 mm per month with no difference for either the AcceleDent group
(difference, −0.09 mm/month; 95% CI, −0.39 to 0.22 mm/month; P = 0.57)
or the sham group (difference, −0.02 mm/month; 95% CI, −0.32 to
0.29 mm/month; P = 0.91) compared with the fixed only
group. Similarly, no significant differences were identified between groups for
secondary outcomes, including overall treatment duration (median,
18.6 months; P >0.05), number of visits (median, 12; P >0.05),
and percentage of improvement in the Peer Assessment Rating (median, 90.0%; P >0.05).
Conclusions
"Supplemental vibratory force during
orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances does not affect space closure,
treatment duration, total number of visits, or final occlusal outcome"
Like so many advertising
claims from companies that attempt to advertise directly to the public, you
cannot take their claims at face value. Also, if your dentist is not well
informed in Orthodontics (i.e. a general dentist offering orthodontics), you
may be getting poor advice.
If you have questions or comments concerning this or any orthodontic question, please feel free to make a complimentary new-patient appointment at either my Steiner Ranch location or my North-central Austin location on West 35th street and MoPac.
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| Central Austin Location on 35th Street, Austin, TX |
Dr.
James R. Waters is a 1996 graduate from UTHSC Dental School in San Antonio,
1997 graduate of Advanced Dentistry from the UNMC in Nebraska and the 2001
Valedictorian graduate from the prestigious Saint Louis University Orthodontic
Program receiving the J.P. Marshall award for clinical excellence in 2001. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Science,
Doctorate in Dental Surgery, a post-doctorate certificate in Advanced
Dentistry, post-doctorate Degree in Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
and a Master of Science Degree in Orthodontics and is a Diplomate of the
American Board of Orthodontics. Dr.
Waters and his wife of 22 years live in Austin, TX with their 4 children where
he has a thriving, multi-faceted Specialist practice with locations in Steiner
Ranch and North-Central Austin. You can
learn more about Dr. Waters at BracesAustin.com.
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| Steiner Ranch Location, Austin, TX |