Adult Treatment

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Patient Jennifer is wearing clear braces. Can you see them?

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Post-Orthodontic Treatment, Adults Say Healthy, Beautiful Smiles Transform Lives

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adultpage1.jpg92 Percent Recommended Treatment to Other Adults

Adult orthodontic treatment contributes to significant improvements in both professional and personal lives, according to respondents to a recent study conducted on behalf of the AAO. Individuals who, as adults, had orthodontic treatment provided by orthodontists were asked to respond to the survey. Seventy-five percent of adults surveyed reported improvements in career or personal relationships, which they attributed to their improved post-orthodontic treatment smile. Citing newfound self-confidence, 92 percent of survey respondents say they would recommend orthodontic treatment to other adults.

The survey queried respondents on their pre-treatment concerns: "What will others think?" "How will I look?" "Am I too old?" Seventy-one percent had such concerns prior to treatment, but an overwhelming majority said the concerns did not continue once treatment actually begin.

Respondents reported positive outcomes from treatment:

  • "I was much more confident and self-assured once I could smile openly. Life is very stressful (on a subconscious level) when you're always aware that you cannot open your mouth to smile without fear of judgement."
  • "With an attractive smile you can face your career and personal relationships with confidence."
  • "A more brilliant smile and the straightest teeth...gave me confidence to do anything."

Clear Braces??

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Younger adults report the most favorable results. Eighty-seven percent of those aged 18-34 reported increased success with personal relations after treatment. "I found someone who cared about me," commented one respondent.

The number of adult orthodontic patients increased 14 percent from 2010 to 2012, to a record high of 1,225,850 patients ages 18 and older. More men are opting for orthodontic treatment, according to a recent AAO study. As of 2012, 44 percent of adult patients were male, a 29 percent increase as compared to 2010 survey results.*

*Data from the 2012 AAO Economics Orthodontics Survey (formerly the Annual Economic Survey and the Biennial Patient Census Survey).