CHANGING TIMES LEADING FOR CHANGING TRENDS
There has been a noticeable rise in the popularity of orthodontics in adulthood and Les Joffe, Chief Executive of the British Orthodontic Society attributes this to a number of factors.
With longer life expectancies than previous generations, and a greater awareness that teeth can last a lifetime, mean that today’s adults are taking better care of their teeth and are prepared to invest in the long term appearance of their mouths, knowing that they will live with their dentition for years to come.
This coupled with an increasingly competitive job market, appearance counts more than ever before. In fact research shows that over 55% of first impressions are based on overall appearance, and people often decide whether or not they like someone and will do business with them, within 10 seconds of a first encounter. A recent study conducted at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland found that that voters are heavily biased by the physical appearances of political candidates, choosing their preferred candidate, based on appearance, more than 70% of the time.
Orthodontic treatment is no long the preserve of the young; with people being treated well into their ‘60s and a colleague recently started a case of three generations of one family.
As technology in orthodontics continues to advance exponentially, braces are now sleeker and less noticeable than ever before making it possible for adults to improve their smile and improve their prospects. Advances have led to alternatives to ‘train-track’ braces, and adults can be treated with ceramic brackets which blend in with teeth or ‘lingual’ brackets which are fitted to the back of the teeth. Less severe cases can be treated with clear plastic ‘aligners’ which resemble pliable mouth guards. These new techniques and materials have offered alternatives to traditional hardware, making braces discrete for adults looking to correct orthodontic problems and are ideally suited for those whose life-style or work commitments do not make it easy to wear conventional fixed appliances.
A myriad of anomalies can be successfully corrected through orthodontic treatment including crooked, overcrowded or protruding teeth, closing single or multiple spaces as well as improving bite problems. Not only will treatment enhance the look of the mouth, but will improve the ease with which it can be kept clean, as well as rectifying speech and eating problems.
Straight to the point
Spurred by ‘make over’ programmes however some people are turning to “quick fix” solutions to improve the appearance of their mouths. Treatments such as veneers and implants can help some patients achieve desired results, providing any underlying orthodontic issues are corrected first. People interested in these types of processes need to find a dentist and orthodontist who take a team approach to improving appearance, otherwise, they may be masking potentially serious issues that may eventually lead to dental decay and periodontal disease.
It is always important to seek an opinion from a qualified orthodontist who will be able to give a professional opinion about the diagnosis, planning, treatment and fitting of orthodontic appliances, as this is a highly skilled, academic and technically challenging process. To qualify orthodontists undergo an additional three to five years of specialised training after qualifying as a dentist in order to learn how to align and straighten teeth, jaws and correct other dental irregulataries.
Orthodontic treatment for under 18s is available on the NHS so long as the problem is moderate to severe, but adults are not usually eligible. However many orthodontists offer payment plans – often interest free – allowing patients to spread the cost of treatment, so in times of economic change, investing in one’s future may be a more attractive proposition than ever.
The British Orthodontic Society is dedicated to advancing the science and practice of orthodontics for the benefit of patients. Alongside its traditional focus on research and encouraging the highest clinical and ethical standards, the Society and its members aim to increase understanding of orthodontics and the benefits offered by treatment. The Society offers access to free and unbiased advice and information about orthodontic procedures including free downloaded patient leaflets on 12 subjects relating to orthodontic treatment. They also provide a free ‘Find an Orthodontist’ service. All of this can be accessed via www.bos.org.uk.
Antonia Mariconda – MyFaceMyBody Journalist
