Tampa Orthodontist Says Braces Aren't Just for Kids Anymore

May 11, 2009- TAMPA, FLORIDA - For decades, braces were viewed as one of those adolescent rites of passage. Like acne and the first day of school jitters, many children were to endure being called "brace face" a time or two while growing up.

But braces have come a long way in the past few decades and an increased emphasis on aesthetics has brought a new patient demographic through the doors of Hess Orthodontics, a Tampa, FL orthodontics practice.

Today, adults are seeking orthodontic treatment in record numbers, said Tampa orthodontist Dr. Michael Hess. About 20 percent of his patients are adults.

"Some people seek treatment as adults because their parents couldn't afford braces for them when they were children,- Hess said. "We also get some adults who had braces as children, but didn't know they would need to wear a retainer periodically for the rest of their lives, so their teeth have shifted out of alignment."

The AAO also attributes the increase in adults seeking orthodontic treatment to more health awareness and advancements in dental care that enable people to keep their teeth longer, the site stated.

Technological advancements that have made braces less visible also must be considered in the increased popularity among adults, Hess said. Products such as Invisalign, which feature clear, plastic aligners that resemble retainers; clear braces; smaller brackets and lingual braces provide aesthetic features that the traditional "railroad track" braces did not.

Hess's oldest patient is an 82-year-old woman who is about nine months along in her Invisalign treatment.

"She has always wanted straight teeth," Hess said. "She told her family that before they put her in the ground, she wanted straight teeth. It just goes to show that it's never too late to seek orthodontic treatment."

Many adults who have raised their children and come in for a consultation typically tell Hess that now that their children are grown, they want to do something for themselves.

A lot of them say, "I've taken care of my children's teeth, so now it's my turn," Hess said.

Adult patients aren't shy about asking for exactly what they want, either. In almost every case, adult patients seek the option that will get them done the fastest, Hess said.

Hess also discusses the option of alignment with Damon brackets. These brackets aren't clear, but they are "hands down, our favorite," Hess said. They enable orthodontic treatment to be completed faster than with traditional braces.

Damon brackets are self-ligating brackets- meaning that they are equipped to clip onto the archwire without requiring tiny rubber bands to hold them in place. The archwire can slide more freely through these brackets, which makes it easier to move the teeth and creates less friction. Friction on the wires can slow the alignment process, but self-ligating brackets enable the teeth to be moved into alignment more easily.

Hess often sees personality changes in adults who undergo orthodontic treatment, he said.

"It makes a huge difference in their self-esteem and self-confidence," he said. "Everyone notices a person's smile, so it makes sense that more people want their smiles to be perfect."

About Dr. Michael Hess

Dr. Michael A. Hess is an accredited orthodontist, meaning he has completed an advanced post-doctoral course, accredited by the American Dental Association, of at least two academic years in the specialty of orthodontics. Dr. Hess graduated from the University of Florida College of Dentistry in 2001, where he was the valedictorian. He received his masters in orthodontics from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He has been in private orthodontic practice since June 2004.

Dr. Hess who is a Tampa braces specialist is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. He also belongs to the American Association of Orthodontists, Florida Association of Orthodontists, American Board of Orthodontists, Florida Dental Association and the Hillsborough County Dental Association.