One student discovers adult braces are more common than you might think

I am 20 years old, and I have braces.

The stigma of being a braceface seems to sting a lot more when you’re an adult. Or does it?

My lovely parents blessed me with the opportunity to get braces in August 2009. This is after ten years of profusely refusing what I thought was a “teeth prison”. Even though the majority of my Gr. 7 classmates had them, this was one bandwagon I was not jumping on, until the day my dentist said the following unbearable words: “It is no longer a cosmetic issue. It’s medical.”

I remember thinking “medical” meant my teeth falling out at age 30. An image of my freckled face smiling, toothless, ran through my head.

Of course I jumped to conclusions. I am pretty sure “medical” does not mean your teeth falling out. It scared me all the same.

When I met with Dr. John McManaman, the certified orthodontist at Docbraces, he told me many of his patients were adults. I thought this was just one of his tactics to calm me down while he put my teeth in prison. After looking around, I discovered he was right– about half of the patients in the waiting room were adults.

I asked Dr. McManaman if it was true that more adults are getting braces.

“In the last 10yrs, the percentage of adults seeking orthodontic treatment has increased from approximately 5 per cent to 50 per cent or more,” McManaman said. “A lot of adults are quite apprehensive when they come to visit us for their initial consultation.

Unfortunately, they are basing misconceptions on negative stories that relate to orthodontic treatment techniques used 20 or more years ago.”

I am definitely one of these people. Characters on TV and in movies (like Ugly Betty) do not help this misconception.

With new advancements and technology, some people can get away with invisible braces. The braces are called “Invisalign.” I, unfortunately, am not a candidate.

Dr. McManaman says that it’s because of these new methods that adults like Janice MacKenzie are saying yes to braces. MacKenzie says that getting braces has always been on her bucket list.

“I always admired people with nice teeth and just couldn’t afford to get mine fixed the way I wanted,” she said.

“About four years ago our son needed braces as his teeth where getting worse. We took him in [to Dr. McManaman] and got it on a budget plan for three years. Now he has a beautiful smile,” Mackenzie said.

“Near the end of when he was going to get his braces off, I thought, “Well I am 47, now it’s my turn.’”

MacKenzie’s braces were put on this past May by Dr. Mcmanaman.

“Six months later, here I am all wired up and in 18 more months or less, I am going to have a smile I always wanted,” she said. “I just think that with people’s medical plans now and all the new stuff coming out why wouldn’t anyone want a nice smile? Whether you’re 16 or 47, any age is good to get braces.”

A nice smile is on many adults radar. Dr. Mcmanaman knows why.

“Most adults we see for consultations often say that they are embarrassed by their smile and have avoided having their picture taken for years,” he said. “I can guarantee you by the time we are done their biggest problem will be fighting off the paparazzi.”

I certainly hope that my smile will get those results. So does St. Thomas University student Jackie Coombs.

Braces were not affordable for Coombs growing up. She says she has thought about getting them forever.

“I was just sick of having that huge gap in my teeth and decided to finally do something about it,” Coombs said. “For me, it was only easier to get them as an adult because now I just don’t really care about how other people would think and I’m not letting it affect me anymore.”

Coombs is financing the braces herself, but she says it will be all worth it in the end.

“I am really glad I decided to get them,” she said. “I would encourage anyone who feels they have issues with their teeth to talk to an orthodontist, no matter your age.”

I will be the first to admit that braces are not a “teeth prison”. You spend a bit more time cleaning your teeth, and the elastics are not always enjoyable, however I am looking forward to the outcome.

“So-called ‘train-track’ type braces no longer exist in progressive orthodontic practices,” Mcmanaman said.

Thank goodness for that.