Does ORTHODONTIC Treatment
Improve Mental Health Outcomes?
Michael Durbin DDS AAO
A healthy, confident smile is about more than aesthetics—it is vital to self-esteem and overall well-being. The American Association of Orthodontists has compiled research showing that orthodontic care and properly aligned teeth do not just create a beautiful smile but can also enhance emotional and psychological well-being.
Misaligned teeth, or malocclusion, can impact more than oral health. Children and adults with noticeable dental irregularities often experience low self-esteem, increased social anxiety, and emotional stress. Bullying and teasing related to dental irregularities are common, particularly in children and teens, which can lead to reduced confidence.
Following orthodontic treatment, numerous studies confirm that patients reported feeling more confident. For adults, orthodontic treatment can improve self-image and social interactions. For children and teens, early orthodontic intervention can be especially impactful. Addressing alignment issues early supports better oral health, reduces the risk of teasing or bullying, and promotes greater confidence at a pivotal time in their development. Overall, studies have found a clear association between dental appearance and mental well-being at every age.
Untreated Malocclusion
Treated Aligned Bite
Your Smile and Mental Health
Studies show that individuals with significant dental misalignment often experience difficulties with eating, speaking, and social interactions, affecting their emotional health.
Orthodontic treatment can help address these issues. Patients frequently report feeling healthier, happier, and more confident following treatment. Taking care of your smile can help you feel better, inside and out. Beyond improving dental function, many people seek orthodontic treatment to enhance their smile’s appearance.
A well-aligned smile can significantly boost confidence and self-esteem. Starting orthodontic treatment with your children and teens during developmental years helps support long-term well-being. Ensuring your child’s smile is healthy from a young age can lead to a happier, more confident future. While some discomfort is common at the start of treatment, most patients report that the long-term benefits—including improved oral health and greater self-confidence—far outweigh any temporary discomfort.
The mind-body connection is an intrinsic link between oral health, specifically the alignment of teeth and jaws, and overall mental well-being and self-esteem. Severe dental misalignment can negatively affect fundamental activities like eating, speaking, and socializing. Adults, not just children, suffer from self-image issues related to their teeth and benefit significantly from the confidence boost of orthodontic treatment.
While acknowledging a potential link between a misaligned jaw and issues like poor sleep, it is important to caution against assuming orthodontics is a cure-all for sleep or breathing disorders, noting these problems are multifactorial.
A significant warning is issued against the social media trend of people attempting to apply braces themselves at home using unapproved materials, which can cause severe, permanent damage to teeth.
Dental Misalignment and Treatment Benefits
Recent studies indicate that individuals with significant dental misalignment often experience functional limitations and negative social interactions, which directly lead to worse emotional experiences and a lower quality of life. Following orthodontic treatment, patients frequently report feeling healthier, happier, and significantly more confident inside and out. A new area of research highlights the correlation between the rise of social media, increased stress on mental health, and how self-worth is increasingly tied to appearance. Seeking orthodontic care is often a direct response to these pressures, aiming to improve self-confidence through a better smile makeover or smile transformation. Teenagers face immense peer pressure and distorted views of body image, and a handicapping malocclusion adds fuel to the fire, making an already difficult developmental period more dangerous for their mental health.
The American Association of Orthodontists
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) was created in 1900 and is the world’s oldest and largest dental specialty organization. The mission of the AAO is to help prospective patients understand the importance and life-changing benefits of orthodontics for all patients: children, teens, and adults. Only dentists who successfully complete an accredited orthodontic residency program after dental school are accepted for AAO membership. The organization represents 19,000 orthodontist members throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad. AAO members are gifted and highly educated specialists who diagnose, prevent, and treat dental and facial irregularities to correctly align teeth and jaws. Whether you are considering clear aligners, Invisalign, or traditional braces, orthodontists have the training, the experience, and the treatment options to make sure you get your best smile. These specialists complete four accumulated years of dental school and 3,700 hours of specialized orthodontic training, remaining 100% focused on aligning teeth and jaws. The AAO also partners with Stand For The Silent, an anti-bullying organization, and supports programs like Gifted Smiles to provide donated treatments to children in need. Michael Durbin DDS, President
Dr. Michael Durbin DDS is the President Elect of the American Association of Orthodontists and a highly respected orthodontist with over 30 years of private practice experience. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology with Honors from Loyola University Chicago in 1984, followed by his Doctor of Dental Surgery with Honors from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry in 1988. He completed his Master of Science in Orthodontics and Certificate in Orthodontics at the same institution in 1990.
Dr. Durbin became board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics in 2001 and is a Diplomate of the board. He practices part-time with his son in Des Plaines, Illinois, and is a partner in Associated Dental Specialists of Long Grove. His extensive professional involvement includes serving as a Trustee for the Midwestern Society of Orthodontists on the AAO Board of Trustees, past president of the Illinois Society of Orthodontists, and president of the AAO’s Donated Orthodontic Services Program, which provides pro bono orthodontic treatment to low-income children. Dr. Durbin is a Fellow of the International College of Dentists, the American College of Dentists, and the Academy of Dentistry International, and has received prestigious awards such as the ADA’s 2015 President’s Award for his special contributions to dentistry and the dental profession.
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FAQs
How does orthodontic treatment impact a person's mental health and self-esteem?
Orthodontic treatment can significantly enhance emotional and psychological well-being. Misaligned teeth often lead to low self-esteem, social anxiety, and emotional stress, particularly due to teasing or bullying in children and teens. By correcting these dental irregularities, patients frequently report feeling healthier, happier, and more confident. A well-aligned smile improves self-image and social interactions, providing a substantial boost to overall confidence and mental health.
. Is orthodontic treatment only beneficial for children and teenagers?
No, orthodontic treatment offers significant benefits for adults as well. While early intervention for children and teens is crucial for supporting long-term well-being and reducing the risk of bullying during developmental years, adults also suffer from self-image issues related to their teeth. Adults who undergo orthodontic care often experience a significant confidence boost, improved social interactions, and enhanced overall self-esteem.
Can severe dental misalignment affect more than just my appearance?
Yes, severe dental misalignment, or malocclusion, impacts more than just aesthetics. It can negatively affect fundamental daily activities such as eating, speaking, and socializing. These functional limitations and negative social interactions can directly lead to worse emotional experiences and a lower quality of life. Addressing these alignment issues improves both dental function and emotional health.
Are at-home or DIY braces a safe alternative for improving my smile?
No, attempting to apply braces yourself at home using unapproved materials is highly dangerous. There is a significant warning against this social media trend, as DIY orthodontics can cause severe and permanent damage to your teeth. It is essential to seek care from a qualified orthodontist who has the specialized training and experience to safely and effectively align your teeth and jaws.