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Space-Age Technology and Software Advances Bring the Oldest Dental Specialty Into a New Era
ST. LOUIS - Like the millions of adults who have already completed orthodontic treatment, the current one million adult orthodontic patients in the U.S. and Canada are looking forward to improved dental health and beautiful smiles.
September is Adult Oral Health Awareness Month, and the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) wants adults to know that orthodontic treatment can help them achieve good dental health. Age need not be a consideration in orthodontic treatment; healthy teeth can be moved at almost any age.
"People want their teeth to stay healthy as long as they live," says Dr. Nahid Maleki, a Washington, D.C. orthodontist and member of the AAO, who says that 30 percent of her patients are adults.
With longer life expectancies than previous generations, and a greater awareness among adults that teeth can last a lifetime, today's adults are taking better care of their teeth, as evidenced by a survey released by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. It revealed that the rate of toothlessness among people ages 55-64 has dropped 60 percent since 1960.
Plaque is the Problem
Plaque-a colorless, sticky film of bacteria, food particles and saliva that constantly forms in the mouth-is difficult to remove effectively from improperly aligned teeth. Plaque feeds on sugars and starches to form an acid that endangers teeth and gums. However, orthodontic treatment makes plaque removal easier because misalignment is eliminated and the likelihood that teeth will last for a lifetime is increased.
For more information about orthodontics or for the names of AAO member orthodontists in your area, visit www.braces.org or call 1-800-STRAIGHT (1-800-787-2444). Your dentist also can provide recommendations on orthodontists near you.
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Who is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Orthodontists receive an additional two-to-three years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth. Only orthodontists are eligible for membership in the AAO.
About the American Association of Orthodontists:
The AAO comprises 15,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad. Founded in 1900, the AAO supports research and education leading to quality patient care and promotes increased public awareness of the need for and benefits of orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists are uniquely qualified to correct improperly aligned teeth and jaws. They are specialists in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The American Dental Association requires orthodontists to have at least two academic years of advanced specialty training in orthodontics in an accredited program, after graduation from dental school.
Press Contact:
Pam Paladin
(314) 993-1700, ext. 524
ppaladin@aaortho.org
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