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Dental Braces: The Uglier They Are, The Better They Work

Orthodontic braces bring mixed reviews, depending upon who is offering an opinion. Oftentimes the wearer will prefer the less-visible forms of dental braces because they look better but orthodontists, the doctors who work with them, prefer the metal types because they work better and are easier to manipulate than the prettier choices.

A team of researchers at Ohio State University (OSU), led by Henry Fields, polled 200 adults about the attractiveness of a series of computer-generated images of teeth with braces. The images were limited to strictly the mouth, with no faces visible to sway opinions. Study participants were asked to rate the attractiveness of each image on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 being the most attractive.

The research showed clear levels of preference for three common types of dental braces. Stainless steel braces were deemed the least attractive in general, with scores ranging between 25 and 40. Ceramic braces, which are usually clear or tooth-colored, making them less visible, scored between 55 and 70 on the scale of attractiveness. The clear winners of the dental-devices beauty contest were the clear tooth trays and lingual braces, which work by attaching the dental appliances behind the teeth, where they are invisible to everyone except the dentist working on them. These devices scored in the above-90 range.

Orthodontists understand the desire for the less-conspicuous dental braces but say the less visible they are, the less effective and less durable. Those that attach to the back of the teeth are also the most difficult to manipulate.

About one in four persons fitted for braces is an adult and it is this age group that is most concerned about the aesthetics of the procedure. While the adults prefer to hide them, or at least minimize their presence, brace-wearing adolescents, usually between 10 and 13 years of age, prefer instead to wear the stainless steel versions but adorn them with decorative shapes and colors. Dental braces adorned with stars, hearts, and other shapes are considered as much an accessory as a means of dental treatment within this age group.

Cost is another factor cited for the adult preference for the less-visible kinds of dental appliances. The less visible the device, the more expensive it is. Parents seem to be more likely to choose this option for their own dental care while choosing the less expensive stainless-steel braces for their children.

The OSU research was supported by the dental benefits carrier, Delta Dental, and its findings have been published in a recent issue of the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.

Source: Ohio State University

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