Braces When You're 40? Absolutely!

MADISON, Ga. - April 22, 2014 - PRLog -- According to recent research, adult patients represent the fastest growing segment of orthodontic patients, comprising nearly 30 percent of the market.  The most recent study from the American Association for Orthodontics (AAO) found that more than 1.2 million orthodontics patients were ages 18 and older.  Although there are many reasons adults may choose braces, including improving bite and better oral health, most simply want to look and feel their best.

Although accepting things we cannot change about ourselves is a sign of maturity, the truth is you can change your smile for the better.  Considering a recent survey from Invisalign indicated that Americans perceive people with straight teeth to have more desirable qualities than those with crooked teeth – including attributes such as 21 percent more likely to be seen as being happy, 47 percent more likely to be viewed as being healthy, 38 percent more likely to be perceived as smart, and 58 percent more likely to be successful – improving your smile may be a very wise choice.  Additionally, a survey conducted on behalf of Match.com found that teeth are the number one thing by which singles judge the opposite sex – a whopping 71 percent of women and 58 percent of men using teeth as criteria for judging a potential mate.

The health benefits are real as well.  Malocclusions (bad bites) tend to get worse with age and straight teeth are easier to brush and floss correctly, leading to better overall oral care.  Even adults who had braces as a child may notice teeth shifting back if a retainer is not used regularly.

“Your smile is often the first thing people notice about you, and there is no reason for anyone at any age not to feel confident in their smile,” stated orthodontist Dr. Jep Paschal, past president of the Georgia Association of Orthodontics and a current council member of the AAO.  “With modern technology, treatments are quicker, more discreet, and less painful than most adults remember from their youth.”

Today’s orthodontic alignment systems offer many more options for customizing treatment than in the past.  Computer imaging can help to pinpoint exact movements necessary to create a healthy smile.  Clear aligners, patient specific orthodontic systems, self-ligating brackets, state-of-the-art wire technologies, and bone accelerating technologies can enable patients to achieve a beautiful smile with less pain, greater convenience, and in up to half the time than was possible just a few years ago.

Traditionally, orthodontic patients over the age of 18 tended to be young adults, but the trend for older adults receiving orthodontic care is growing exponentially.  And according to a recent AAO study, more men are opting for orthodontic treatment, with 44 percent of adult patients being male.

“Typically we would see a child patient for treatment, and then their mother would start asking questions about her own bite or smile,” continued Paschal.  “However, with recent improvements in treatment options and treatment times combined with more awareness about the benefits of orthodontics, the demographics of orthodontics patients is growing to the point where it is truly anyone with teeth that need straightening from ages 7 to 70. Braces are no longer just for kids.”

The first step to a better smile is to call and visit your orthodontist.  It is important to remember that no particular system meets everyone’s needs.  Only an orthodontist has received the additional two to three years of specialized education after becoming a dentist that is necessary to master all the systems and techniques required to align and straighten teeth.  This specialized training and experience enables an orthodontic specialist to provide the best, most efficient, and cost effective solutions for your smile and bite.

Dr. Paschal is a leader in the orthodontics industry and uses the most advanced treatment methods available.  He is a frequent speaker at orthodontics and dental conferences both nationally and internationally.  A certified dentist with specialties in both prosthodontics (implant and restorative dentistry) and orthodontics, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the field of orthodontics.  Through his practice, Paschal Orthodontics, he has served the Madison, Ga., and Lake Oconee, Ga., communities for ten years.  For more information visit www.paschalorthodontics.com.