Patients in treatment by AAO members in the U.S. and Canada
1982
2,445,000 patients
1984
2,520,000 patients
1986
2,600,000 patients
Year of Survey
Total Patients %adult patients %non-adult Patients
Number ofAdult Patients Number of non-Adult Patients
1989
3,500,000 25% 75% 875,000 2,625,000
1992
3,800,000 23% 77% 874,000 2,926,000
1994
4,000,000
17%
83%
680,000
3,320,000
1996
4,400,000
20%
80%
880,000
3,520,000
2004
5,750,000
19
%
81%
1,092,000
4,657,500
(Figures for U.S. only in 2004: 5,420,800 total patients; 1,029,952 adult patients; 4,390,848 non-adult patients.)
(Figures for Canada only in 2004: 329,200 total patients; 62,548 adult patients; 266,652 non-adult patients.)
The percent of increase in patients on the whole from 1994 to 2004 is 43.75%.
The percent of increase in patients on the whole from 1982 to 2004 is 135.17%
The growth in adult patients from 1989 to 2004 is 24.8%; from 1994-2004 is 37%; from 1996 to 2004 is 24.1%.
There are about 9,350 active, practicing orthodontists in the U.S. and Canada who are members of the American Association of Orthodontists (about 8,800 U.S. only; about 550 Canada only), as of July 2005. About 95% of all educationally eligible orthodontists are AAO members.
The majority of orthodontic patients begin treatment between ages 9 and 14.
63% of adult patients are female. 59% of patients through age 17 are female. This reflects a change from surveys from 1989 forward, which consistently found that 70% of adult patients were female and 60% of patients through age 17 were female. Observation: more males are seeking orthodontic treatment.
59% of all new patients have dental insurance that includes orthodontic benefits. This is an increase of 5% since the 1996 survey.
It is estimated that between 50 and 75% of the population could benefit from orthodontic treatment.
Most orthodontic treatment lasts from 12 to 36 months, with 24 months being average.
