New figures released by the British Orthodontic Society (BOS) has revealed that the number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment in the UK remains high. The survey, conducted in July 2019 among BOS members, was designed to gather new data about orthodontics and patient choices in the UK.

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Asked if they were seeing an increase in private adult treatment, 75% said yes. The majority of adult patients (80%) are in the 26 to 55 age bracket. The survey revealed that adult patients are most likely to be female (80%). However, the number of men seeking treatment appears to be on the rise. Twenty percent of the respondents to the survey estimate that half of their adult patients are male.

When asked what kind of braces they provide to their patients, orthodontists revealed a cross section of approaches:

  • Over 75% supply fixed braces with clear aesthetic brackets

  • Over 30% supply lingual braces

  • 70% supply clear aligners.

The most popular system, provided by more than 98% of orthodontists, is fixed braces on the front of the teeth. This figure reflects the high number of young people treated as NHS patients for whom fixed braces is the most appropriate option.