Wired Straight More And More Adults Opting For Braces To Correct Crooked Teeth

When she was 12, Robin Webb knew what she wanted: straight teeth. Several of her teeth were turned sideways. She bit her tongue and cheeks regularly. Chewing gum was difficult. She dreamt of braces.

Webb’s parents couldn’t afford braces for their family of 14 children. So Webb put her goal of straight teeth on hold.

In January Webb, now 31, will join a growing number of adults who wear braces. Her husband Neal will also get braces, as will their two children, Leighla, 10, and “Junior” (Neal), 11.

Webb is excited.

“All my life I’ve had crooked teeth and I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have them straightened,” says Webb, a Spokane insurance underwriter.

Adults with braces are much more common now than 10 years ago. And although appearance and self-esteem are important, most adults choose braces for health reasons.

About one in five orthodontic patients is an adult, says Pam Paladin, of the American Association of Orthodontics. A 1996 survey of AAO members in the United States and Canada shows there are approximately 878,000 adults receiving orthodontic treatment, which can take one to three years. Orthodontics brings teeth, lips and jaws into proper alignment.

“It’s hard to chew food when your teeth don’t meet,” says Paladin, citing the reason most adults finally seek treatment.

Spokane speech therapist Kathy Marshall can relate to problems chewing food.

“Whenever we go out for hamburgers everybody chomps down their burgers and it takes me forever because I don’t bite right,” says Marshall, who’s now had braces since June 1996. Marshall, who works with children at Stevens Elementary, has a severe overbite and will probably have braces until June 1998.

Marshall experienced headaches, jaw clicking and teeth grinding before she got braces. She’d wake up in the morning with pieces of enamel in her mouth. Now she feels much better.

Dr. Sue Weishaar, a family practice dentist at Spokane Valley Dental, had braces as a child. Over the years there was relapse and symptoms included clenching of teeth and jaw discomfort. Relapse is not all that uncommon, says Paladin of AAO. Some people, she says, have to wear retainers at night for life.

Now Weishaar is in an 18-month program of orthodontic treatment with Drs. Rick Ellingsen and Diane Paxton. Her patients notice the braces.

“It’s an inspiration for your patients,” says Weishaar, whose 28-year-old stepdaughter just came out of braces.

Adults don’t get braces just for aesthetics, adds Weishaar. Crowded teeth are hard to clean, which may lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and eventual tooth loss.

Adults who choose to wear braces find they’re self-conscious about the appliances.

“No matter how you cut it, the braces are there and everyone notices them,” says Marshall. “People look. Most politely look and smile. They still do a double take.”

Marshall’s brother-in-law noticed her covering up her mouth. He told her that one of the nicest things about her was her laugh and smile.

Just be proud you’ve got braces and be yourself, he said.

Webb is already aware of how her teeth look.

“I’ve had people make comments about my teeth. I know they notice,” says Webb.

“I’m very aware of them,” says Weishaar, noting that most people are interested in her gold braces, a newer development to the standard silver models and available to children, too. Consumers can also choose clear and tooth-colored brackets, which are not as noticeable, and there are “lingual” (inside the teeth) braces, which don’t show at all.

Marshall has a newer kind of silver braces that were invented by her orthodontist, Dr. Dwight Damon. Marshall says the braces are less painful and less obtrusive.

Her teeth will move more quickly than with conventional braces.

Speech can also be affected with braces.

“I don’t enunciate words as well,” says Weishaar. “It’s a little challenging.”

Braces gave Marshall a new perspective.

“It has messed up my S’s,” says Marshall. “I’ve been more conscious of trying to adjust my speech, which has given me more insight into what kids go through when they’re trying to change their speech patterns.”

Costs for braces usually range from $2,800-$4,000, and while many insurance plans cover part of the treatment for children, most do not for adults. Many plans consider braces to be cosmetic.

“For the majority of people I’ve talked to, it’s not for cosmetic purposes,” says Marshall. ” It’s for bite and problems with grinding teeth.

“I don’t think it’s fair that insurance companies don’t even look at that.”

Never mind the inconveniences, Webb is looking forward to braces.

“It’ll be fun,” she says. “It’ll be a new experience.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 color photos