More parents, kids getting orthodontic treatment together
By Rabia Mughal, Contributing EditorWhile orthodontic treatment has typically been linked to adolescence, more and more adults are seeking corrective treatment to achieve that perfect smile. In fact, there is a growing trend of parents and their children undergoing orthodontic treatment together, according to the British Lingual Orthodontic Society (BLOS).
According to a BLOS news release, orthodontists historically report seeing members of the same family, and those specialists who have stayed in the same neighborhood for many years have likely treated the teenage children and even grandchildren of their first patients. What's different today is that treatment is accessible for all ages.
Is the U.S. seeing a similar trend?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) told DrBicuspid.com that it is not formally tracking the practice of parents and children having orthodontic treatment at the same time.
"However, I can tell you anecdotally that this is a long-standing practice," said John Buzzatto, DMD, president of the AAO. "I am also aware of grandparents/grandchildren having orthodontic treatment together."
There are a number of reasons behind this trend, he added. Some parents or grandparents appreciate the convenience of combined appointments with the orthodontist, particularly for adults who must take time off from work. In addition, some adults think that since their child is going anyway, it could be an opportunity to take care of their own problem at the same time.
"There truly are so many options for adult orthodontic treatment, and adults are often eager for an assessment of their own problems and how they might be treated when they bring their children to an orthodontist," Dr. Buzzatto said.
Powerful role models
Adults make excellent orthodontic patients because they are motivated and highly compliant, and they can be powerful role models for their children and grandchildren throughout treatment, Dr. Buzzatto noted.
And for many adults who have treatment with their children or grandchildren, they enjoy and appreciate the shared experience, he added. Also, it can be a time-saver if adjustment appointments for both patients are scheduled at the same time.
Many BLOS members are seeing this trend, according to Baz Parmar, BDS, chairman of BLOS. "It's the lingual braces which make the difference as they can be kept secret and can be worn by people of all ages," he stated in the press release.
However, Dr. Buzzatto pointed out that orthodontic appliances in general are much less conspicuous than they used to be, even compared with appliances in use when he was new to practice in the early 1980s. It is possible that the trend of less noticeable appliances may have been driven by adults' wishes to have treatment but who wanted their treatment to be as discreet as possible, he noted.
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