The Effect of AcceleDent on Arch Alignment and Pain Level During Orthodontic Treatment with Invisalign

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the AcceleDent device, perceived pain and treatment time for anterior tooth alignment in patients wearing Invisalign aligners. Consenting Invisalign patients from a private practice that met eligibility criteria were randomized into two groups: a group that used the AcceleDent device 20 minutes/day (n=18) or a control group (n=18). Both groups completed a pain scale survey to evaluate perceived pain on the day a new aligner was placed, daily for 3 more days and then weekly. Teeth were scanned at 4 time points: initial records, 3 months, 6 months and at 12 months or the end of treatment, whichever came first. Little’s Irregularity Index was used to measure each scan. During the 12-month treatment period, no significant differences were found between the AcceleDent group and the control group for the irregularity index values. AcceleDent group pain scores were lower than the control during 6-12 months of treatment. Reported pain decreased throughout treatment in the AcceleDent group. The AcceleDent group had shorter intervals between time points compared to the control. It cannot be concluded that AcceleDent had an effect on alignment, but these results demonstrate that there is lower perceived pain by 6 months into treatment in patients that use AcceleDent.