Intermittent Vibrational Force and Orthodontic Tooth Movement

Intermittent Vibrational Force and Orthodontic Tooth Movement: a Randomised Controlled Trial

The aim of this study is to compare the clinical efficiency of conventional fixed appliance orthodontic treatment with that supplemented by the daily application of cyclic forces to the dentition via a removable (AcceleDent) vibrational appliance. The primary outcome measure is rapidity of tooth alignment; whilst secondary outcome measures include pain and discomfort during treatment, rapidity of orthodontic space closure, changes in arch dimensions and root length.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects will be recruited from a sample of consecutive cases attending for routine fixed appliance orthodontic treatment with conventional pre-adjusted edgewise brackets that satisfy the following criteria: in the permanent dentition; a requirement for extraction of a premolar unit in each quadrant; incisor irregularity between 5-12 mm.

Exclusion Criteria:

• no medical contraindications; no craniofacial anomalies or cleft lip/palate;