# How to Speed Up Orthodontic Treatment: What Actually Works Publisher: Virtual Consultant Online Author: Virtual Consultant Online Published: 2026-08-27 Updated: 0001-01-01 Canonical URL: https://virtualconsultant.online/blog/how-to-speed-up-orthodontic-treatment Citation metadata: https://virtualconsultant.online/citation.json?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvirtualconsultant.online%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-speed-up-orthodontic-treatment If you are partway through orthodontic treatment and wondering whether there is any way to speed up braces in the UK, you are not alone. Treatment timescales often feel long, and patients naturally want to reach the finish line as quickly as possible. The good news is that there are genuine evidence-based strategies that can help — but there are also plenty of myths and commercial products that promise more than they deliver. This guide cuts through the noise and tells you what actually works, what the evidence says about accelerated orthodontic devices, and — most importantly — what you can do right now to avoid slowing your treatment down. Key takeaway The most effective way to speed up your orthodontic treatment is to follow your orthodontist's instructions precisely — attending every appointment, wearing elastics as directed, and not missing aligner wear time. Adjunct acceleration devices such as vibration therapy and micro-osteoperforation can reduce treatment time in select cases, but they are not suitable for everyone and should only be used under professional supervision. ## Why Does Orthodontic Treatment Take So Long? To understand how to speed things up, it helps to understand the underlying biology. Teeth move through a process called bone remodelling. When a controlled force is applied to a tooth — through a wire, bracket, or aligner — the bone on one side of the tooth (the pressure side) is gradually broken down by specialised cells called osteoclasts. At the same time, new bone is deposited on the tension side by cells called osteoblasts. This cycle of breakdown and repair is what allows teeth to move safely. The process cannot be rushed beyond a certain rate without damaging the teeth or the surrounding bone. Applying too much force too quickly causes the blood supply to the ligament around the tooth root to be cut off, halting movement entirely — a phenomenon called hyalinisation. This is why your orthodontist uses carefully calibrated forces, and why attempts to hack the process can actually backfire. 0.5–1mm average tooth movement per month with optimal orthodontic forces 40% of extended treatment time attributed to missed appointments and poor compliance 18–24 months typical duration for comprehensive orthodontic treatment in adults ## The Single Biggest Factor: Your Compliance Before exploring any acceleration devices or techniques, it is worth being honest about the most common reason treatment runs longer than expected: patient compliance. This is not a criticism — life gets busy and habits slip — but understanding it is the first step. ### For Clear Aligner Patients Clear aligners require a minimum of 20 to 22 hours of wear per day to move teeth at the rate your treatment plan predicts. Every hour you spend without your trays in is an hour the force is not being applied. If you consistently wear aligners for 16 or 18 hours rather than 22, your teeth will not move as planned and you will likely need additional refinement trays at the end — adding weeks or even months to your overall timeline. The fix is simple but requires discipline: put your aligners back in immediately after eating, drinking anything other than water, or brushing your teeth. Keep them in overnight without exception. Track your wear time honestly using a timer or app if you are unsure. ### For Fixed Brace Patients Fixed brace patients have one key compliance task: wearing elastics (rubber bands) if prescribed. Orthodontic elastics work with the brackets and wires to correct bite relationships — and they only work when they are worn. Your orthodontist will typically ask you to wear them for 20 to 22 hours per day. Inconsistent elastic wear is one of the most common causes of extended treatment time. Other compliance factors for fixed brace patients include attending all scheduled appointments (which must happen every six to eight weeks to allow wire changes) and avoiding hard or sticky foods that knock brackets off. Thinking about starting orthodontic treatment? A free virtual assessment gives you a realistic timescale estimate before you commit to anything. Get your free assessment → ## Attending Appointments on Time Every time you miss or postpone an orthodontic appointment, you delay the progression of your treatment. For fixed brace patients, appointments involve changing wires to progressively thicker and stiffer ones — each wire change moves the treatment to the next stage. Postponing that by even two to three weeks has a direct knock-on effect. If you have a genuine conflict, try to reschedule within a few days of your original appointment rather than waiting until the next available slot weeks later. Most practices understand that life gets complicated — they just need you to communicate promptly. ## Orthodontic Acceleration Devices: What the Evidence Shows Beyond compliance, there is a growing market of devices and techniques designed to genuinely accelerate tooth movement. Here is an honest assessment of each. ### High-Frequency Vibration (HFV) — AcceleDent and Similar Devices Devices such as AcceleDent and VPro use high-frequency vibration applied through a mouthpiece for five to ten minutes per day. The theory is that vibration stimulates bone remodelling and increases the rate of tooth movement. The evidence is mixed. Some studies report modest reductions in treatment time — typically in the region of 10 to 15 percent — while others show little or no statistically significant effect. The American Association of Orthodontists and British Orthodontic Society have both noted that current evidence is insufficient to make strong recommendations. These devices are generally safe and may provide some benefit, but they are not the transformative solution that some marketing implies. VPro devices are sometimes provided with Invisalign treatment by aligner companies, marketed partly as a tool to help seat aligners fully on the teeth (which is a genuine benefit regardless of any acceleration effect). Important Never purchase or use an orthodontic acceleration device without first discussing it with your orthodontist. Some devices, particularly those marketed directly to consumers, have not been evaluated for safety alongside specific appliance types. Your orthodontist should always be aware of any adjunct device you are using. ### Micro-Osteoperforation (Propel) Micro-osteoperforation (MOP) is a clinical procedure in which small perforations are made in the alveolar bone adjacent to the teeth being moved. This stimulates a regional acceleratory phenomenon (RAP) — a burst of localised bone remodelling activity — that can increase the rate of tooth movement for a period of weeks to months following the procedure. The Propel device is the most widely used commercial tool for this in the UK. Some clinical studies have shown reductions in treatment time of two to four months when MOP is used at multiple points during treatment. It is performed in the dental chair under local anaesthetic and typically takes around 15 to 20 minutes. MOP is not widely available at all practices and is not appropriate for every patient. It carries costs — typically in the region of £200 to £600 per session — and may require multiple sessions during a course of treatment. Speak to your orthodontist if this is something you are interested in exploring. ### Corticotomy-Assisted Orthodontics Corticotomy is a surgical procedure in which cuts are made in the outer layer of alveolar bone around multiple teeth. This creates a more extensive RAP effect and can dramatically reduce treatment time — in some cases to a third or quarter of the usual duration. However, it is a surgical procedure requiring general or heavy sedation, carries recovery time, and is only suitable for carefully selected adult patients with specific indications. This is a specialist-level intervention, not appropriate for the majority of orthodontic patients, and is rarely performed outside of hospital or specialist oral surgery settings in the UK. ### Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) Low-level laser therapy uses light energy to stimulate cell activity in bone and soft tissue. Some small studies have shown increased rates of tooth movement, but the evidence base is currently insufficient to recommend it as a standard adjunct, and it is not widely available in UK orthodontic practices. ## What You Can Do Without Any Special Devices The most reliable ways to keep your treatment on track — and avoid it taking longer than planned — require no specialist equipment. They are habits, not gadgets. Wear your aligners for the full prescribed hours every day. This is the single most impactful thing a clear aligner patient can do. Wear your elastics as instructed. Fixed brace patients who skip elastics are the group most likely to see their treatment time extended significantly. Attend every appointment and reschedule promptly if necessary. Even a two-week delay per appointment across ten appointments adds five months to your treatment. Maintain excellent oral hygiene. Active gum disease slows tooth movement and can lead to treatment pauses. Brush after every meal with a fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily. Avoid hard foods that break brackets. Every broken bracket is at minimum a two-week delay until your next appointment — more if you cannot be seen promptly. Chew your aligners into place using chewies. Aligner chewies (small foam cylinders) help seat each new aligner tray fully against the teeth, ensuring the force is applied correctly from day one of each new tray. ## Does Diet Affect How Fast Teeth Move? Bone remodelling requires adequate nutrition. Patients who are severely malnourished or deficient in key nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D may experience slower than expected tooth movement. However, for the vast majority of patients in the UK who eat a balanced diet, nutrition is not a limiting factor in treatment speed. There is no reliable evidence that specific supplements or superfoods meaningfully accelerate tooth movement in well-nourished patients. Save your money for your retainer. ## Talking to Your Orthodontist About Timescale If your treatment feels like it is going on longer than expected, or you have a deadline — a wedding, a significant birthday, starting a new job — the right conversation to have is with your orthodontist, not the internet. They can assess where you are in treatment, whether there are specific bottlenecks, and whether any of the acceleration options discussed above might be appropriate for your case. You can find out about typical timescales and treatment costs before you even start by getting a free virtual assessment. Understanding your specific situation — the complexity of your tooth movement, whether extractions are needed, and which appliance is most suitable — gives you a much more accurate personal timescale than any general guide can. Use the free quote tool to get started. If you are still researching treatment options, it is also worth exploring the full range of orthodontic treatment types to understand how different approaches compare in terms of timescale, appearance, and lifestyle fit. ## Common Myths About Speeding Up Braces Finally, it is worth addressing a few myths that circulate online: Myth: Chewing harder helps teeth move faster. There is no credible evidence for this. Vigorous chewing does not accelerate tooth movement in the controlled way that orthodontic forces do, and chewing hard foods risks breaking brackets. Myth: Eating specific foods speeds up braces. No food accelerates orthodontic treatment. Eating well protects your oral health during treatment, but does not directly speed up tooth movement. Myth: Wearing aligners for longer than prescribed each day accelerates treatment. Each aligner tray is designed to move teeth to a specific intermediate position. Moving to the next tray too early (before the tooth has reached the programmed position) leads to tracking errors that ultimately extend treatment — the opposite of what you want. Myth: Massaging your gums speeds up treatment. There is no clinical evidence supporting gum massage as an acceleration technique. Find Out Your Realistic Treatment Timescale A free virtual orthodontic assessment gives you an honest estimate based on your actual teeth — not a generic range. No commitment needed. Get My Free Assessment → ## FAQs ### Can I genuinely speed up my orthodontic treatment? Yes, but primarily through excellent compliance rather than adjunct devices. Wearing aligners for the full prescribed hours, using elastics consistently, attending every appointment, and avoiding broken brackets are the most impactful ways to keep treatment on track. Acceleration devices such as AcceleDent show modest benefits in some studies but are not transformative for most patients. ### What is AcceleDent and does it work? AcceleDent is a device that applies high-frequency vibration to the teeth for around ten minutes per day, theoretically stimulating bone remodelling to speed up tooth movement. Some studies show a modest benefit of around 10 to 15 percent reduction in treatment time, while others find no significant effect. The British Orthodontic Society notes the evidence is currently insufficient for strong recommendations. ### What is micro-osteoperforation (Propel)? Micro-osteoperforation is a clinical procedure in which small perforations are made in the bone beside the teeth being moved, stimulating a burst of localised bone remodelling activity. Studies suggest it can reduce treatment time by two to four months in some cases. It is performed in practice under local anaesthetic and is not available everywhere — ask your orthodontist if it might be suitable for you. ### How much does poor compliance extend treatment? Poor compliance is the single largest controllable cause of extended treatment. Missing just two appointments per year and wearing aligners for 18 rather than 22 hours per day could easily add four to six months to a typical course of treatment. Consistency with instructions has far more impact than any acceleration device. ### Can I change my aligner trays more frequently to speed up treatment? No — you should only change aligner trays when your orthodontist has prescribed the change, or when you have achieved the tracking required. Changing too early means the tooth has not yet reached the position the current tray was designed to move it to, which leads to tracking errors that ultimately extend your overall treatment time. ### Does diet affect how fast teeth move? For most well-nourished patients in the UK, diet is not a limiting factor in tooth movement speed. Severe nutritional deficiency can slow bone remodelling, but there is no evidence that specific foods or supplements meaningfully accelerate treatment in otherwise healthy patients. ### Will my treatment take longer if I have a bracket repaired late? Yes. When a bracket falls off, the tooth is no longer receiving orthodontic force. The longer the bracket remains detached, the more time is lost. Contact your practice promptly when a bracket comes loose — most practices prioritise repair appointments to minimise disruption to your treatment timeline. ### Can I genuinely speed up my orthodontic treatment? Yes, but primarily through excellent compliance rather than adjunct devices. Wearing aligners for the full prescribed hours, using elastics consistently, attending every appointment, and avoiding broken brackets are the most impactful ways to keep treatment on track. Acceleration devices such as AcceleDent show modest benefits in some studies but are not transformative for most patients. ### What is AcceleDent and does it work? AcceleDent is a device that applies high-frequency vibration to the teeth for around ten minutes per day, theoretically stimulating bone remodelling to speed up tooth movement. Some studies show a modest benefit of around 10 to 15 percent reduction in treatment time, while others find no significant effect. The British Orthodontic Society notes the evidence is currently insufficient for strong recommendations. ### What is micro-osteoperforation (Propel)? Micro-osteoperforation is a clinical procedure in which small perforations are made in the bone beside the teeth being moved, stimulating a burst of localised bone remodelling activity. Studies suggest it can reduce treatment time by two to four months in some cases. It is performed in practice under local anaesthetic and is not available everywhere — ask your orthodontist if it might be suitable for you. ### How much does poor compliance extend treatment? Poor compliance is the single largest controllable cause of extended treatment. Missing just two appointments per year and wearing aligners for 18 rather than 22 hours per day could easily add four to six months to a typical course of treatment. Consistency with instructions has far more impact than any acceleration device. ### Can I change my aligner trays more frequently to speed up treatment? No — you should only change aligner trays when your orthodontist has prescribed the change, or when you have achieved the tracking required. Changing too early means the tooth has not yet reached the position the current tray was designed to move it to, which leads to tracking errors that ultimately extend your overall treatment time. ### Does diet affect how fast teeth move? For most well-nourished patients in the UK, diet is not a limiting factor in tooth movement speed. Severe nutritional deficiency can slow bone remodelling, but there is no evidence that specific foods or supplements meaningfully accelerate treatment in otherwise healthy patients. ### Will my treatment take longer if I have a bracket repaired late? Yes. When a bracket falls off, the tooth is no longer receiving orthodontic force. The longer the bracket remains detached, the more time is lost. Contact your practice promptly when a bracket comes loose — most practices prioritise repair appointments to minimise disruption to your treatment timeline. ## References - British Orthodontic Society (https://www.bos.org.uk/Public-Patients/Orthodontics-for-Adults/Treatment-Duration) - BOS guidance on orthodontic treatment duration and factors that influence timescales. - NHS — Orthodontics (https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/orthodontics/) - NHS overview of orthodontic treatment, including information on treatment length. - Oral Health Foundation (https://www.dentalhealth.org/orthodontics) - Patient information on orthodontic treatment including what to expect during treatment. - British Orthodontic Society (https://www.bos.org.uk/Public-Patients/Orthodontics-for-Adults/Treatment-Duration) - BOS guidance on orthodontic treatment duration and factors that influence timescales. - NHS — Orthodontics (https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/orthodontics/) - NHS overview of orthodontic treatment, including information on treatment length. - Oral Health Foundation (https://www.dentalhealth.org/orthodontics) - Patient information on orthodontic treatment including what to expect during treatment.