Over 7 million people worldwide seek orthodontic treatment with braces or aligners to straighten their teeth every year. Orthodontic braces and clear aligners work by applying force to teeth in order to gradually realign them. This force naturally causes a demineralization (softening) of the bone, which allows the teeth to move. Although the time it takes for patients to wear braces or aligners varies considerably, it generally takes on average up to 2 years. Lengthy time wearing such equipment can result in unwanted side effects and a loss of motivation. While a huge market is to children, there is a growing market for adults. Many adults are unhappy with their smile and would change that if they could. However cost can be very high as can the embarrassment of having adult braces. Many families cannot afford braces for their kids who need them or they bend over backwards to afford the monthly cost. This is why invisible aligners are vigorously gaining momentum in the market especially for adults. A huge competitor in the market Smile Direct Club has jumped to a worth of 3.2 billion just this year. The future is rapid tooth movement with minimal pain, cost and less permanent hardware.

2. Korean J Orthod. The effects of electrical current from a micro-electrical device on tooth movement. The Korean Journal of Orthodontics. 2008 Oct 30: 38(5); 337-346.