---
title: "Accelerated Orthodontics UK: Propel, MOPs, AcceleDent"
url: https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/accelerated-orthodontics-uk
description: "Shorter treatment with MOPs, Propel, AcceleDent and piezocision: what the evidence supports and the realistic time saved."
updated: 2026-08-25T00:00:00Z
publisher: Virtual Consultant Online
---

Accelerated Orthodontics

Propel

AcceleDent

Faster Treatment

# Accelerated Orthodontics UK

Micro-osteoperforations, vibration devices, and surgical techniques can shorten orthodontic treatment — but evidence quality varies considerably between methods. This guide explains what each approach involves, what the clinical trials actually show, and what realistic time savings UK patients should expect.

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## Why does orthodontic treatment take so long?

Tooth movement is a biological process driven by mechanical force. When a brace or aligner applies pressure to a tooth, the bone on the tension side begins remodelling (new bone forms) and the bone on the pressure side undergoes resorption (bone is removed). The tooth moves through this biological remodelling cycle, which has a rate limit set by cellular biology — primarily the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Most teeth can be safely moved at approximately 1 mm per month under optimal conditions. Treatment takes as long as it does because all the planned movements need to be achieved safely, and exceeding the biological rate of remodelling can cause root resorption, loss of bone support, and periodontal damage. The concept of acceleration is therefore not about applying more force — which risks harm — but about biologically stimulating the remodelling process so that the same forces produce faster movement within the safe window.

## Micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) and Propel

Micro-osteoperforations are small, controlled perforations made in the alveolar bone (the bone surrounding the tooth roots) using a specialised device. The Propel system, the most widely known commercial MOP device, uses a small drill-like instrument to create perforations approximately 1.5 to 2 mm in diameter in the attached gingiva and alveolar bone adjacent to the teeth being moved. This creates a localised inflammatory response — the regional acceleratory phenomenon (RAP) — which transiently increases bone turnover and thereby accelerates tooth movement in the treated area. The procedure is performed in the dental chair under local anaesthetic and takes approximately 10 to 20 minutes. The perforations are made at the start of treatment or at a specific treatment stage, and may be repeated every 6 to 8 weeks during active treatment. Evidence: A systematic review published in 2020 found that MOPs reduced orthodontic treatment time by an average of approximately 2 to 4 months in studies that lasted the full treatment duration. Individual studies report reductions of 30 to 62% in specific tooth movement phases, though the total treatment time reduction is less dramatic than phase-specific findings suggest. The evidence base is promising but limited by small study sizes and variable methodology. Patient experience: mild discomfort and soreness at perforation sites for 2 to 3 days, managed with standard pain relief. The procedure is better tolerated than many patients expect.

## AcceleDent and vibration therapy

AcceleDent is a vibration device used to deliver low-level pulsatile forces to the teeth via a mouthpiece worn for 20 minutes per day. The theory is that cyclic mechanical stimulation increases bone remodelling activity and accelerates tooth movement. AcceleDent was launched with considerable commercial enthusiasm, and several early studies showed promising results. However, subsequent higher-quality randomised controlled trials have produced more mixed results. A well-powered 2018 RCT published in the American Journal of Orthodontics found no statistically significant difference in treatment time between AcceleDent users and controls. A 2020 Cochrane-style systematic review concluded that the evidence is insufficient to support routine clinical use of vibration devices for treatment acceleration. Propel VPro is a similar vibration device that has been commercialised more recently with updated marketing claims. The same limitations apply: plausible mechanism, limited high-quality evidence. Cost in the UK: AcceleDent and VPro devices are typically purchased by patients and cost approximately £400 to £700. Some orthodontic practices include them in treatment packages; others offer them as optional add-ons. Given the current evidence base, patients should view vibration devices as potentially helpful rather than definitively effective, and should not pay premium prices based on exaggerated claims.

## Corticotomy and piezocision

Corticotomy-assisted orthodontics involves surgically cutting through the outer cortical bone adjacent to the teeth to be moved, reducing bone density and triggering the regional acceleratory phenomenon. Traditional corticotomy involves raising a full-thickness gingival flap and making vertical cuts in the cortical bone — a significant surgical procedure requiring general anaesthesia or deep sedation and carried out by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The evidence for treatment time reduction is strong: studies report 50 to 66% reductions in treatment duration in patients who have corticotomy. However, the procedure is invasive, requires recovery time, and is rarely offered in standard orthodontic practice in the UK. It is occasionally considered for adults with severe crowding who are not suitable for or prefer to avoid jaw surgery, and where a significant reduction in treatment time is clinically important. Piezocision is a minimally invasive modification of corticotomy in which a piezoelectric surgical instrument makes small incisions through the gingiva to cut the cortical bone without raising a full flap. This reduces post-operative discomfort and recovery time significantly while still generating the RAP. Piezocision is available at a small number of specialist UK centres, typically as a combined procedure with an orthodontist and periodontist or oral surgeon. Cost is approximately £800 to £2,000 depending on the number of teeth treated and the surgical fees involved.

## Realistic time savings and cost additions

In practice, the time saving from currently available accelerated orthodontic techniques varies considerably between patients and techniques. Patients most likely to benefit are those with a longer predicted treatment time, adults with denser bone (where the biological rate limit is a more significant constraint), and cases involving significant tooth movement where the RAP effect can be sustained over multiple treatment stages. For most patients using adjunctive techniques such as MOPs or vibration, a realistic expectation is a 10 to 30% reduction in treatment time — equivalent to 2 to 5 months on an 18-month treatment. Corticotomy can achieve greater reductions but at the cost of surgical intervention. Cost additions for accelerated orthodontic techniques in the UK are typically: Propel MOPs — £100 to £300 per session, often two to four sessions; AcceleDent or VPro device — £400 to £700; piezocision — £800 to £2,000; corticotomy — £1,500 to £4,000 depending on procedure. These are in addition to the base cost of orthodontic treatment. None of these techniques are available on the NHS; they are exclusively private add-ons.

## What to ask your orthodontist

If treatment length is important to you, raise this explicitly at your consultation. Key questions include: What is the predicted treatment length for my case, and what factors affect this? Do you offer any accelerated orthodontic adjuncts and what evidence do you use to support them? What time reduction should I realistically expect from the technique offered? What are the costs involved? Are there any additional risks associated with the technique? It is also worth asking whether your case complexity could be modified — for example, whether fewer tooth movements or a more targeted treatment objective might achieve an acceptable result more quickly without acceleration adjuncts. Some patients benefit more from a simplified treatment plan than from acceleration technology applied to an ambitious plan.

## Useful related pages

[Six Month Smiles UK](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/six-month-smiles-uk)

[How Orthodontics Works UK](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/how-orthodontics-works-uk)

[TADs and Miniscrews Orthodontics UK](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/tads-miniscrews-orthodontics-uk)

[Aligners for Mild Crowding UK](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/aligners-for-mild-crowding-uk)

This guide is for general information only. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for advice from a registered dentist or orthodontist.

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### Frequently Asked Questions

Does AcceleDent actually work?

The evidence is mixed. Early commercial studies showed promising results, but subsequent well-powered randomised controlled trials have not consistently demonstrated statistically significant reductions in total treatment time. A 2018 RCT found no significant difference between AcceleDent users and controls. Vibration devices remain an optional adjunct that some patients find beneficial, but practitioners should not overstate their effectiveness based on current evidence. If an orthodontic practice is charging a significant premium for vibration devices as guaranteed acceleration, scrutinise the claims carefully.

How much faster is Propel (MOPs)?

Studies suggest MOPs can reduce individual tooth movement phases by 30 to 62%, but total treatment time reductions are more modest — typically 2 to 4 months on an average-length treatment. The benefit is more pronounced in patients with longer predicted treatments and denser bone (adults). MOPs are repeated every 6 to 8 weeks during active treatment and require a brief in-office procedure each time. They represent the best-evidenced of the currently available adjunctive acceleration techniques.

Are micro-osteoperforations painful?

The Propel procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, so the perforations themselves should not be felt. Post-operatively, patients typically experience mild soreness at the perforation sites for 2 to 3 days, manageable with over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. The discomfort level is generally described as similar to or less than a tooth extraction. Most patients find it well tolerated.

Can I use vibration devices with any type of brace?

Vibration devices such as AcceleDent and VPro can be used with fixed metal braces, ceramic braces, and clear aligners. The mouthpiece of most devices is designed to fit over standard brace hardware or aligner trays. They are not compatible with lingual braces in their standard form. If you are considering a vibration device, check with your orthodontist whether it is compatible with your specific appliance system.

Is accelerated orthodontics available on the NHS?

No. All accelerated orthodontic adjuncts — including MOPs, vibration devices, piezocision, and corticotomy — are private treatments. NHS orthodontic treatment does not include or fund adjunctive acceleration techniques. If treatment length is a primary concern, discuss options with a private orthodontist and ensure you are given a realistic expectation of the time saving achievable for your specific case.

What is the regional acceleratory phenomenon and why does it matter?

The regional acceleratory phenomenon (RAP) is a transient upregulation of bone turnover triggered by local tissue injury — such as the perforations created by MOPs. During RAP, osteoclast and osteoblast activity increases significantly in the surrounding bone, making tooth movement faster for approximately 4 to 8 weeks. MOPs and surgical acceleration techniques deliberately induce RAP to exploit this biological window. Understanding RAP explains why MOPs must be repeated regularly during active treatment to maintain the acceleratory effect rather than being a one-off procedure.

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Citation details

Title Accelerated Orthodontics UK: Propel, MOPs, AcceleDent

Publisher Virtual Consultant Online

Published 2026-05-27

Updated 2026-08-25

URL [https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/guides/accelerated-orthodontics-uk](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/guides/accelerated-orthodontics-uk)