A Straighter, Sexier Smile

Thanks to a highly advanced surgical procedure, known as periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics (PAOO), some patients may only need to wear braces for 8 to 12 months instead of a few years. PAOO involves drilling tiny, microscopic holes into the bone that holds teeth in position before finely ground particles of bone (either artificial or from a bone bank, which is treated in a lab to prevent any transmission of disease) are placed inside. “By making the bone more dense, it becomes softer, enabling the teeth to shift more freely and easily since the fibers are separated,” says Atlanta cosmetic dentist Ronald Goldstein, DDS. Adds New York orthodontist Jacqueline Fulop-Goodling, DMD, “Speckling the bone allows teeth to start moving immediately, shortening orthodontic treatment time by as much as 50 percent. It also decreases the likelihood that the teeth will shift back to their original position.” The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and takes about an hour, resulting in no downtime, although you may be a bit sore for a week.