Local orthodontists we spoke with said their number of adult patients has increased significantly in the last 10 to 15 years By ANNETTE JOYCE When I was growing up, wearing braces wasn’t nearly as common as it is today. In fact, only a handful of my friends wore them. Even though my bottom teeth were extremely crowded and crooked, I don’t remember being too self-conscious about them because most everyone else’s teeth looked pretty much the same. I didn’t consider doing something about my teeth until I graduated from college and had a job that offered dental insurance which covered the cost of braces. With the financial part of the remedy largely covered, my journey to correct my teeth began. That journey came to a screeching halt, however, when the various orthodontists I spoke with began explaining their treatment plans, which involved extracting several teeth and enduring skin grafts. At that time, the only option for straightening my remaining teeth were metal braces with wires that broke and poked the inside of your mouth and gums. I decided I’d keep my teeth just they way they were.
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2022
Clear aligners such as those shown above left have become a popular option for orthodontic patients, especially adults, because they are less noticeable than traditional metal braces – but they can also extend the treatment time and be more expensive. Plus, in more complicated or severe cases of misalignment, traditional metal braces may be the only effective option. Thanks to recent advancements in orthodontics, metal braces now come in various styles that are more attractive, affordable and effective. That was decades ago, and the field of orthodontics has since made significant advancements – so much so that more and more adults are finding their way to an orthodontist. In fact, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, “one orthodontic patient in five is an adult.” Local orthodontists we spoke with said those statistics are likely even higher in northwest and northern Guilford County. Dr. Matt Olmsted, owner of Olmsted Orthodontics in Oak Ridge, estimates that 35% of his patients are adults. Dr. Mark Reynolds, who owns and operates two Reynolds Orthodontics locations – one in Summerfield and another in Greensboro – said he has seen as much as a 300% increase in his practice’s number of adult patients over the last two decades. “When I started 20 years ago, it was probably 10%,” he said. “Now, it’s about 40%.”
When we asked why so many adults undergo orthodontic treatment later in life, we were told the answers vary depending upon the patients. According to Olmsted, some adults needed braces as a kid, but they were cost prohibitive for their families. “They eventually decide to do it for themselves – sometimes to mark a significant milestone such as an anniversary or a job promotion,” he said. Then there are those adults who wore braces as kids and their teeth straightened, but unfortunately, they didn’t adhere to the orthodontist’s emphasis on faithfully wearing a retainer. Others learned the misalignment of their teeth could lead to other health issues and possibly even the loss of teeth. Amanda Warren has seen firsthand the impact that orthodontic treatment – or the lack of it – can make. The Kernersville resident works as a dental assistant for Morse &
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