For many adults and teens considering orthodontic treatment, one of the biggest concerns isn't whether they want straighter teeth—it's how long treatment will take.

Traditional orthodontic treatment can require braces or aligners for well over a year, and complex cases may take even longer. Wilckodontics®, also known as Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics (PAOO) or Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics (AOO), combines orthodontic treatment with specialized periodontal procedures designed to facilitate faster tooth movement.

At Metropolitan Periodontists in Minneapolis, our periodontists collaborate with orthodontists to provide this advanced interdisciplinary approach for appropriate patients who want to improve their smile while potentially reducing the time required for orthodontic treatment.

What Is Wilckodontics?

Wilckodontics is an accelerated orthodontic technique that combines conventional orthodontics with periodontal surgery.

Instead of simply applying orthodontic forces and waiting for teeth to gradually move through the surrounding bone, the procedure temporarily alters the bone's natural remodeling activity.

The technique typically incorporates two important components:

• Selective alveolar decortication, which stimulates the bone surrounding the teeth
• Bone grafting, which can augment the alveolar bone supporting the teeth

The orthodontist then takes advantage of the temporary period of increased bone remodeling to move the teeth more efficiently.

The result can be substantially shorter orthodontic treatment for appropriately selected patients.

How Does Wilckodontics Work?

To understand Wilckodontics, it helps to understand how conventional orthodontics moves teeth.

Braces and clear aligners place controlled forces on teeth. Your body responds by gradually remodeling the bone surrounding the roots, allowing the teeth to move into new positions.

Wilckodontics is designed to temporarily accelerate this natural biological process.

Step 1: Orthodontic Treatment Begins

Your orthodontist develops a treatment plan and places the orthodontic appliances needed to guide your teeth toward their desired positions.

Step 2: Periodontal Procedure

A periodontist performs a specialized procedure involving selective decortication of the bone surrounding the teeth being moved.

The goal isn't simply to "cut the bone." Rather, the procedure stimulates a natural healing response known as the regional acceleratory phenomenon (RAP).

During this temporary period of increased bone turnover, the bone becomes more responsive to orthodontic forces.

Step 3: Bone Grafting

Bone grafting material may be placed over areas of the jawbone during the same procedure.

This is an important part of the technique because orthodontic treatment isn't only about moving teeth quickly. The goal is also to maintain appropriate bone support around the teeth as they move into their new positions.

Step 4: Accelerated Orthodontic Movement

After the periodontal procedure, the orthodontist makes more frequent adjustments to take advantage of the temporary period of increased bone remodeling.

Close communication between the periodontist and orthodontist is essential throughout treatment.

How Much Faster Is Wilckodontics?

One of the primary reasons patients investigate Wilckodontics is the possibility of significantly shortening orthodontic treatment.

Traditional comprehensive orthodontics may take approximately 18 months to three years depending on the complexity of the case.

With Wilckodontics, the developers of the technique report that many cases can be completed in approximately three to eight months, although treatment time varies considerably from patient to patient.

Wilckodontics should therefore not be viewed as a guaranteed "three-month braces" procedure. Your treatment time depends on your bite, tooth position, periodontal health, orthodontic goals, and the complexity of the movements required.

What Are the Potential Benefits of Wilckodontics?

Shorter Orthodontic Treatment

For qualified patients, the most obvious advantage is the potential to dramatically reduce the amount of time spent in active orthodontic treatment.

This can be especially appealing to adults who have postponed orthodontics because they don't want to spend several years wearing braces.

Increased Bone Support

Because Wilckodontics can incorporate alveolar bone grafting, treatment may increase the volume of bone surrounding the teeth in appropriate cases.

This makes the procedure fundamentally different from techniques focused exclusively on accelerating tooth movement.

Expanded Orthodontic Possibilities

Increasing alveolar bone volume may provide an orthodontist with greater flexibility when planning certain tooth movements.

For some patients, this interdisciplinary approach may help address complex orthodontic situations that require careful management of the bone and gum tissues surrounding the teeth.

Periodontal and Orthodontic Collaboration

Wilckodontics brings together two dental specialties.

The orthodontist manages tooth movement and bite alignment, while the periodontist manages the bone and periodontal tissues supporting those teeth.

This coordinated approach allows treatment to consider not only where the teeth should move, but also the health of the structures supporting them.

Who Is a Candidate for Wilckodontics?

Wilckodontics can be considered for many adolescents and adults who have permanent teeth and are otherwise candidates for orthodontic treatment.

Potential candidates may include patients with:

• Crowded teeth
• Spacing between teeth
• Certain bite problems
• Teeth requiring substantial orthodontic movement
• Concerns about lengthy orthodontic treatment
• Alveolar bone deficiencies that may benefit from augmentation

However, Wilckodontics is not appropriate for everyone.

Your periodontal health, bone anatomy, medical history, medications, orthodontic needs, and overall treatment goals must all be carefully evaluated before the procedure is recommended.

Is Wilckodontics the Same as Accelerated Orthodontics?

You'll encounter several terms when researching this procedure.

Wilckodontics® is the trademarked name associated with the technique developed by Drs. Thomas and William Wilcko.

You may also see it described as:

• Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics (AOO)
• Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics (PAOO)
• Surgically facilitated orthodontic therapy
• Accelerated orthodontic treatment

While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably online, specific techniques and surgical protocols can differ.

Does Wilckodontics Hurt?

The periodontal portion of treatment is performed with appropriate anesthesia to keep patients comfortable during the procedure.

As with other periodontal surgical procedures, some swelling, tenderness, or discomfort can occur during the initial recovery period.

The experience varies according to the extent of treatment and the individual patient's response to surgery. Your periodontist will provide detailed post-operative instructions and recommendations for managing discomfort while the area heals.

Why Is Bone Grafting Part of Wilckodontics?

This is one of the most important aspects of the procedure—and one that is sometimes overlooked when Wilckodontics is described simply as "faster braces."

Teeth require healthy surrounding bone for periodontal support.

When orthodontic treatment involves significant movement, the amount and shape of the existing alveolar bone can influence where teeth can safely be positioned.

Adding grafting material during the periodontal procedure can help augment areas of the alveolar ridge and provide additional support around teeth as treatment progresses.

For Metropolitan Periodontists, this is where periodontal expertise becomes particularly important: the objective isn't simply faster tooth movement; it's facilitating orthodontic movement while carefully managing the bone and gum tissues that support the teeth.

Wilckodontics vs. Traditional Orthodontics

Neither approach is automatically "better." The right choice depends on your anatomy, periodontal health, orthodontic needs, treatment goals, and willingness to undergo a periodontal procedure.

The Importance of an Experienced Periodontal Team

Wilckodontics requires a detailed understanding of the relationship between teeth, gums, alveolar bone, and orthodontic forces.

That makes collaboration between your orthodontist and periodontist especially important.

The periodontal portion of treatment needs to be planned around the orthodontist's intended tooth movements. Likewise, orthodontic adjustments need to be appropriately timed following the periodontal procedure.

Successful treatment is truly a team effort.

Wilckodontics at Metropolitan Periodontists in Minneapolis

Metropolitan Periodontists has a long history with accelerated orthodontic treatment.

Dr. Mark Wilson was the first periodontist in Minnesota to be trained in and use Wilckodontics techniques. That experience gives our practice a unique perspective on the relationship between periodontal health, bone augmentation, and accelerated orthodontic tooth movement.

Our periodontists work collaboratively with orthodontic providers to determine whether surgically facilitated orthodontic treatment is appropriate and to develop a treatment plan based on each patient's anatomy and orthodontic objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wilckodontics

Can adults have Wilckodontics?

Yes. Adults are often particularly interested in accelerated orthodontics because reducing overall treatment time can make orthodontic treatment easier to incorporate into professional and social life. Candidacy still depends on periodontal and overall oral health.

Can Wilckodontics be used with clear aligners?

The appropriate orthodontic appliance depends on the treatment plan developed by your orthodontist. Your orthodontist and periodontist can determine whether accelerated periodontal treatment can be incorporated into your particular orthodontic approach.

How long does Wilckodontics treatment take?

Treatment times vary, but the technique was developed to substantially shorten conventional orthodontic treatment. Many cases have historically been reported in the three-to-eight-month range, although more complex cases can require additional time.

Does everyone need bone grafting?

The periodontal procedure and grafting requirements depend on the patient's anatomy and treatment objectives. Your periodontist will evaluate existing bone volume and coordinate the surgical plan with your orthodontist.

Is Wilckodontics only about moving teeth faster?

No. Speed is certainly an important benefit, but Wilckodontics also incorporates periodontal and bone considerations into orthodontic treatment. Alveolar augmentation can be an important component of the overall procedure.

Do I need both an orthodontist and a periodontist?

Wilckodontics is inherently interdisciplinary. The orthodontist plans and manages tooth movement, while the periodontist performs the periodontal surgical component and manages the supporting tissues.

Could Wilckodontics Be Right for You?

If you've considered straightening your teeth but are hesitant about spending years in orthodontic treatment, Wilckodontics may provide another option.

The first step is determining whether accelerated orthodontic treatment is appropriate for your teeth, gums, bone anatomy, and treatment goals.

Contact Metropolitan Periodontists in Minneapolis to learn more about Wilckodontics and periodontally accelerated orthodontic treatment. Our periodontal team can work with your orthodontist to determine whether this innovative approach is right for your smile.