DENTISTRY: By The Numbers
35,000
Number of people will be diagnosed with oral cancer each year. Know the signs and symptoms.
10-14
Number of days that bleaching can show improvement in the shine and color of teeth
30%
How much cleaner teeth are after flossing
5 MILLION+ Number of people in the US who wear braces
20%-40%
Percentage that dental decay is reduced by using water fluoridation
10
Number of teaspoons of sugar the average 12-ounce can of soda contains
64.7 million Number of Americans older than 30 the American Academy of Periodontology approximates have periodontitis
75%
Percentage of American adults who suffer from some form of gum disease
6,078
Number of students currently enrolled at The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
46
New Jersey Top Dentist • 2013
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently estimated that one in five orthodontic patients is now an adult. The inventions of “invisible” braces and clear, removable aligners have made orthodontics mainstream among the more “mature” crowd. A growing number of adults who didn’t have the opportunity to have their teeth straightened when they were younger, or whose teeth have shifted in their later years, are now able to seek treatments that will properly align their teeth. Dentists and orthodontists appreciate adult patients, too, because they often times tend to be more motivated and self-disciplined, increasing the likelihood of successful treatment and satisfactory results. For children, the AAO also recommends that a child make his or her first visit to an orthodontist around the age of seven. Contrary to previous practice, braces are becoming more commonplace with younger children based on the philosophy that it is easier to treat an obvious orthodontic problem even before all of the permanent teeth have grown in. Besides, the fun and funky colors used for bands and retainers have made being treated with braces much more appealing to the younger crowd. Orthodontists also have a plethora of innovative tools at their disposal to streamline and improve the processes they utilize in treatments. Threedimensional scans of the head and face are being used more frequently to create digital impressions and circumvent any unpleasant molding materials. Digital technologies can also determine how a patient’s facial features will be influenced by the placement of braces before they’re attached. This gives the orthodontist the ability to focus on the overall aesthetics rather than just the positioning
of brackets. These machines provide for more precision placement by starting with the end result and then guiding the dentist to the exact location for placement of braces to achieve the desired effect. Self ligating braces are growing in popularity as well. This method of treatment removes the need for rubber bands so the wires slide comfortably in the brackets as teeth adjust. This form of braces often shortens treatment times and requires fewer trips to the dentist. Benefits that busy parents and children alike are sure to benefit from.
Smiles for life Often one of the first things anyone notices about other people when they meet are their teeth. In addition to first, positive impressions, a dazzling smile can go a long way in improving a person’s self-image. Smile makeovers are a fast-growing segment of the dental industry and many offices have plenty of before-and-after photographs on their websites and office walls to provide prospective patients with an idea of the dramatic difference that a makeover for their mouths can make. Combining professional training, an artistic eye and an arsenal of cosmetic procedures, including bonding, veneers, teeth whitening, braces and implants, dentists can truly have a life-changing impact on the way in which patients are perceived by others and how they feel about themselves. The foray into using more naturallooking and durable materials has made these techniques more predictable, affordable and achievable for those with less than desirable smiles. Many procedures with lasting impacts can be completed in one day at the same offices and are known to make the simple things in