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
An interesting article.
I would agree with the findings of the Ohio State University in all but one point. Here in the UK children between the ages of 10-13 hate the thought of wearing stainless steel braces and no amount of dental cosmetics will make them change their minds.
However, as the NHS will not pay for clear braces, stainless steel is still the number one brace fitted in the UK, despite the protestations of our youth.
Here in the UK the number of adults visiting Orthodontists for corrective work has increased, but still lags way behind the US as a percentage per population. Here again the findings of the Ohio State University hold true, with adults, by in large, choosing clear braces.
Thank you again for a very interesting article.
It’s not neccessary true that the uglier braces are, the better they work. Some ugly braces also work bad. Some people take wearing braces as a fashion. I have no idea how it can be a fashion.
Actually, in the past, all dentists were cosmetic dentists.
And all braces were fashion statements.
See this link:
ancient braces a fashion statement
Warning: Graphic Content
Thanks for the valuable survey. Another interesting survey would be to see if participants would be willing to compromise on attractiveness if the duration of their treatment would be diminished. Katterine
P.S.: Most people who visit dental braces website also prefer invisiligns or linguals, but are many times swayed by the cost of treatment to go with the stainless steel braces in the end.
The statement, “The Uglier They Are, The Better They Work”, is not necessarily true. It still varies from case to case. I’ve had many successful treatments with Invisalign and also had difficulty with patients who had stainless steel braces.
That research made by Ohio University is pretty cool. How come there’s this idea that uglier braces works better(LOL), Im not sure, I don’t know, maybe, it depends.