When Australian newsreader and TV presenter Leila McKinnon took the orthodontic plunge and donned adult braces a couple of years ago, social media went into a frenzy.
She was soon to become the poster girl of adult braces, along with other celebrities including Angelina Jolie and Delta Goodrem, and the results speak for themselves.
At the time McKinnon, Goodrem and Jolie were breaking ground as prominent personalities prepared to do something about a smile that made them self-conscious, but according to recent research by the Australian Society of Orthodontists they’re far from alone.
ASO statistics indicate more than half the Australian population feels self-conscious about their teeth, with 62 per cent indicating they would like to do something to fix their crooked smiles.
The ASO findings
With an increasing number of Australian adults seeking orthodontic treatment and embracing adult braces, the Australian Society of Orthodontists set out to ascertain what’s prompting them to make the leap. Their results were interesting to say the least.
They found:
- Over half of Australian’s (55%) feel self-conscious about their teeth
- Almost two thirds (62%) would like to actually do something to fix their crooked smiles
- Given the chance, almost half (46%) of Australians would like to ‘change’ their teeth over the chance of changing any other facial feature
- Over half the population say they would smile more if they had the perfect smile.
The McKinnon effect
In an interview with Nine Honey last year, a broadly beaming McKinnon said she was happy she’d gone through an orthodontic process that resulted in a few unexpected benefits on the side.
She noted not only did the work improve her bite, but it helped improve her facial features.
“People have been asking my mum whether I’ve had work done. And well, I guess I have.
“I’ve had all my teeth moved, and in the process widened my smile, lifted my extra chin/neck gobble part (I think that’s what biologists call it), and tightened my ever-loosening jawline.”
McKinnon initially saw an orthodontist due to a chronic open-bite that affected her ability to eat.
“My back teeth were the only ones making each other’s acquaintance at all. My dentist told me that these reliable molars were literally cracking under the strain and that I would lose them unless I took action.”
Now, with the work completed, McKinnon is relishing a new look and a new approach to eating.
“My teeth now felt like weapons of mass destruction. The chomping, the cutting, the grinding, it was a revelation.
“The most unexpected benefit has been the anti-ageing effect. But I’ve since looked into it and increasingly people are having late life orthodontics to look younger.”
Adult braces options
McKinnon used lingual braces to achieve her winning smile, but there are a host of options available for adults looking to harness the power of orthodontic work.
These include:
- Traditional braces
- Clear removable aligners known as Invisalign; and
- The Rolls Royce of the braces world – The Damon System, that offers a speedy approach to redesigning your smile.
If you’re looking to embrace the McKinnon effect and take action to change your teeth, there’s no time like the present and Norwest is available to assist.
About Norwest Orthodontics
Norwest Orthodontics specialises in helping patients achieve a great smile, no matter their age. We feature a range of orthodontic treatments that span from early intervention right through to remedial adult work.
You can learn more about our services, or contact us to make an appointment.
