They say the third time’s the charm and when it comes to a healthy, beautiful smile, pediatric nurse practitioner Alicia McGlaughlin embodies the saying.  She remembers having traditional braces when she was in middle school and the fun involved in picking different colors of rubber bands to match the season or her favorite color. But once she was out of college, her arch collapsed, resulting in very prominent front teeth, and prompting a second round of orthodontic treatment.  Now 38 and a mom of two young boys, her front teeth were not to her satisfaction.

Alicia sought the expertise of St. Louis-area orthodontist Dr. Jim Klarsch and recently completed treatment, which lasted just over a year. “When I met with Dr. Klarsch he was very optimistic that he could widen my arch and correct my overbite with traditional braces,” she explains.

She saw improvements happen swiftly while in treatment.  “My bite is improved and my molars touch for the first time,” she says. “I’m wondering how I chewed food before!”  Alicia’s treatment included ceramic brackets on top and traditional brackets on the bottom, as well as rubber bands.  Her two sons, ages 2 and 3, love to pretend play and talk about going to the orthodontist and wearing their rubber bands.

“I work with young children and it was fun to see them smile at me when they saw my braces.  A few patients told me they want to wear braces, too, to fix their teeth.”

Her peers and co-workers at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital were very supportive of Alicia’s pursuit of orthodontic care, and now that she has completed treatment, she can compare her new healthy, beautiful smile to her ‘before’ pictures. 

Mike Swanson was happy with his smile, but his dentist was less enthusiastic about his grinding problem. At 52, Mike’s delicate teeth were suffering from severe attrition and he faced a choice: risk having to get dentures or opt for orthodontic treatment to restore his bite.

His first thought? “I had this big fear I was going to have to get thick metal braces with headgear,” he laughs. As a flight attendant and project management instructor, Mike was also wary of how orthodontic treatment might shake his confidence. “I wondered, how will I be perceived among executive leadership if I have braces on?”

But, to his surprise, Mike’s orthodontist, Dr. John Budd, was accommodating to the needs of his professional life by offering clear [tooth-colored] brackets to help Mike feel more comfortable. “You can’t see them unless you’re paying particular attention,” Mike says. “It’s been good for my confidence in front of students and passengers.”

Mike began seeing Dr. Budd in December of 2014 and expects to complete treatment around the end of 2016. And although he can’t yet speak to the before-and-after treatment experience, he’s already an advocate for orthodontic treatment in adult life. “I would encourage it. A smile is one of those first impression things. If you have any apprehension about smiling, braces can be a short-term thing that will let eventually let you smile with confidence.”

He offers the following advice to any adult considering treatment: Find a good orthodontist - someone you can trust. Mike was pleased with how Dr. Budd used cutting-edge technology and gave him plenty of options that would fit into his lifestyle. “I wish I would have done this years ago!” he says.

When Amy Gepner’s autistic teenage son Adam was advised to get orthodontic treatment, she naturally wanted to support him throughout the process.  And while Adam was unsure of how it would affect his daily life, Amy was committed to making sure he had an excellent experience and outcome. At the time, Amy already had a great smile, but had always wanted to make a few ‘tweaks’ to bring it closer to an ideal alignment.

It was the combination of Adam’s impending treatment and her own desire to adjust her smile that made the decision unanimous: Amy and Adam would go into treatment together.  The two began treatment simultaneously in July of 2011. And for close to two years they were in it together.

“While I had wanted to improve my smile for several years, my first priority was to go through the process with Adam so that I could relate to what he was experiencing,” Amy says. “I wanted to answer his questions from my own experience and be able to reassure him that everything would work out well.”

A busy media salesperson in Wichita, KS and mom of two sons, Amy’s schedule is ever-changing and she was concerned about Adam missing too much school while in treatment.  But her concern was soon set to rest as she learned that Adam would only need a visit about every six weeks. “Dr. Dillehay’s staff was incredibly accommodating. They made both of our appointments together and usually at 7am so it didn’t interfere with our day.”

Amy couldn’t have been more pleased with the results for both her and Adam. She credits their two beautiful smiles to the care of Dr. Dillehay and his staff, a team which she says treated her and Adam like family, providing them “with all the TLC we both needed.”

Amy in particular faced the challenge of wearing orthodontics in a profession that requires a lot of face-to-face contact with her clients. While she admits later-life orthodontic treatment had its challenges, she felt Dr. Dillehay’s staff was a source of encouragement to find a positive attitude and focus on the big picture. “You only get one chance to make a first impression,” she says. “I’m much more confident in front of clients. And Adam’s smile makes a strong statement when he’s meeting with potential employers. It’s all good.”

Dr. Ken Dillehay treated the Gepner duo and nominated Amy to the Hall of Fame: “I was so impressed at the extra effort that Amy employed at ensuring that her son had a healthy, beautiful smile and positive orthodontic experience. In my book, she deserves the ‘mom-of-the-year’ award.”

A lot can change in 50 years: advances in technology, new trends in music, and even the quality of a smile.

Rosemary Murdy-Haber knows this all too well. She’s a college professor, a scholar of music and a second-time orthodontic patient.

"My sister, brother, and I all had braces when we were in junior high school and wore them for two years," she says. "Over time, our bites changed and our teeth went out of alignment. My sister was the one who wanted to straighten her teeth for her daughter’s wedding and I looked at my teeth and decided to do the same."

It has been 50 years since Rosemary’s last visit to the orthodontist. It didn’t take long to notice a remarkably improved appointment experience. She was impressed with the spacious procedure room with six workstations, each overlooking a beautiful view of the outdoors. See appreciated the skillful setup of the office. The technicians, digital scanners, and computers with patient information were all easily accessible, which made for a prompt and efficient appointment every time– perfect for a professional on the go.

But, mostly, she found treatment to be much more comfortable. "It was extremely painful in those days…so much that I could not eat anything except ice cream, mashed potatoes, and oatmeal," she recalls. "This was not the case when I had Dr. McGill's office apply the braces. I was advised to take Advil if I had discomfort but I didn't need it and (was able to eat) regular food."

After 16 months of orthodontic treatment, from age 60 to 61, Rosemary beams with a newfound poise. "I feel much more confident with my new healthy, beautiful smile (and even perfect bite) in photographs. People comment on how white and straight my teeth are now and ask why I got braces at my age. My answer was always the same… 'Straight white teeth are essential for today’s world. When you smile, you brighten other peoples' day. In return, the confidence you exude makes the world a more positive place to be...especially when people are around you.'"

Rosemary's advice to adults considering orthodontic treatment? "JUST DO IT! Who wouldn't want to look and feel their best? I would do it again."

“Now that 80 is the new 60, it felt right to get orthodontic treatment later in life, ” says Dr. Ron Smith, a materials engineering business owner in Lansdale, PA. “ I'm planning on living to at least 100, and now I'll have a nice smile all the way through. ”

Plus, Dr. Smith likes to joke that in old age, “ teeth can begin to sag along with many other parts. “ It was the shifting of teeth in hisupper jaw that sent him to the orthodontist.

Like many adult orthodontic patients, Dr. Smith sought treatment later in life because he missed out on the opportunity in his childhood. So now as an engineering business owner, Dr. Smith made the choice to invest in his smile. He looked forward to important milestones ahead of him; in particular, he wanted to be able to smile with confidence for his daughter’s wedding photos.

And, he’s planning on living forty more years.

Dr. Smith’s orthodontist encouraged treatment after a consultation, and he began treatment at the age of 58. The process lasted a little over two years. Just recently, Dr. Smith completed treatment and many are commenting on how young he looks with his new smile.

“I wanted to look more youthful and behave more youthfully. Orthodontic treatment has inspired me to be more to take better care of myself in other ways, too, like exercising more. I would certainly encourage other adults to consider it!”

When former opera singer Sarah Bryan Miller thinks back on her singing career at Lyric Opera of Chicago and other companies, the conversation comes back to braces. “When you're a singer, your body is your instrument,” says Miller, “and the inside of the mouth is an important part of that.”

Miller sought out orthodontic treatment in her mid-thirties. A troublesome overbite and small jaw began to cause issues in her professional life. As with any wind instrument, the shape of the mouth affects the quality of the sound. And, as in any entertainment field, appearances matter on the opera stage.

On the day she got her brackets on, she performed in the opera "Die Fledermaus.” Miller recalls: “That is when I realized exactly how much we move our upper lips when singing. It was...ah... uncomfortable - but I kept smiling, and kept singing. There were times during the process when it was less than optimal, but it never kept me from working.”

Although her treatment took longer than anticipated due to a few broken brackets, Miller strongly encourages other adults considering braces. She says her teeth are healthier. She says she looks and feels better. “Don't worry about looking silly - you have lots of company - and don't worry about how old you'll be when you're done with it. You'll be that old by then anyway, and this way you'll have something extra to show for it.”

While Miller no longer performs on stage, she is now the classical music critic at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. It’s a job that keeps her connected to her passion for music and that’s something to smile about.

With a sparkling smile already in place, dentist Dr. Nina Zeigler‘s patients were puzzled when she began orthodontic treatment at age 43. “A lot of my patients asked me why I was in treatment, especially since my teeth were straight and appeared to be in alignment,” she says. What couldn’t be seen on the outside was a severe clenching and grinding problem. Dr. Zeigler also had an anterior open bite which is when the upper and lower front teeth don’t overlap vertically. People with this condition often find it difficult to eat certain foods.

“Many people think orthodontic treatment is for aesthetic reasons, when in reality for most patients, it is necessary to treat problems with the teeth, bite or jaw,” Dr. Zeigler explains. “When I had an exam by my orthodontist, he knew right away that I needed braces.” In treatment for 17 months, making it to her regular appointments was easy, as she and her orthodontist’s offices are located in the same medical building.

As a dentist, brushing her teeth was always a priority, and Dr. Zeigler’s extra vigilance during treatment had an impact on her habit of snacking. “I like snacks, but realizing I had to brush each and every time I indulged made me think twice.” Knowing she may give in to temptation every now and then, Dr. Zeigler kept a stash of toothbrushes handy. “I had them in my purse, my glove box, my briefcase, you name it. When we went out to eat I would excuse myself and head to the ladies room to brush my teeth.”

During an appointment in the final phase of her orthodontic treatment, Dr. Zeigler shared the exciting news with her orthodontist that she and her husband were headed out of town to adopt a baby.  “He was elated, and since my treatment was finished, he took my braces off immediately, insisting that I have a braces-free smile for all of the pictures and celebrating we would soon be doing with our new daughter.”  Five years later, when little Heidi heads to work with her mom, she often goes down the hall to visit the orthodontist. When asked if she had a message for adults in treatment, Dr. Zeigler had a quick response. “Yes, if you want your braces off early, just tell your orthodontist you’re going to adopt a baby.”

In a profession that is heavy in patient interactions, you could say that Rene’ Howard is the face of the pharmacy where she works. As a retail pharmacist in Atlanta, Rene’ spends her time at work explaining medications to patients, answering questions and solving problems with her team. It’s a job that requires personal engagement and a reassuring smile.

That’s why after recently completing orthodontic treatment in her early 50’s, Howard’s perfected smile is even more of a boost in her confidence at work. 

But it wasn’t always that way. She went through orthodontic treatment in middle school to correct misaligned teeth. By the time her sons were ready to begin orthodontic treatment – more than 35 years later – Howard’s teeth had shifted. They weren’t only crooked, they were distracting. When her orthodontist offered her the option of correcting her bottom row of teeth or her both top and bottom rows, she opted for a traditional treatment plan.  “If we’re going to do this, let’s do it right,” she said.  After seeing her kids go through treatment, Rene’ realized her time had come too.  

Howard completed her treatment in October of 2013. She says she is delighted with the results, and laughingly notes “I’m committed to avoiding a third round of treatment!”  Her story piqued the interest of a writer at the Atlanta Journal Constitution, who featured Rene’ in a story on the increasing popularity of adult orthodontics.  

Being a private pilot for celebrities, sports superstars, political leaders and high level executives is a glamorous career, but flying the plane is the “easy part,” says Gulfstream Pilot Amielle Zay Abshire.  In her job as a pilot for Meridian Air Charter, a high end private jet charter company, the flight crew assumes many more responsibilities than one might imagine.  “Our job is to create a five star plus experience for our passengers, which includes purchasing exotic foods and wines, having the right reading materials, and studying the backgrounds of our passengers to make sure every detail is absolutely perfect. We even fly around turbulence to ensure that each flight is smooth and enjoyable.”

Greeting passengers with a warm and friendly smile makes the first impression critical when Amielle welcomes her passengers on board.  But her smile bothered her, as her teeth weren’t perfectly straight.  Based in Los Angeles at the time, she considered several cosmetic options. But after consulting with an orthodontist, she decided that traditional orthodontic treatment was the way to go.  “The orthodontist explained that some treatment options don’t deliver the full health and aesthetic benefits I was looking for. If I was going to improve my smile, I wanted it to be perfect.”  She opted for ceramic (tooth colored) brackets and says that “most people don’t even notice I have braces.”   During the course of her two-year treatment, Amielle’s flight base switched from Los Angeles to New York.  But she had already “bonded” with her orthodontist, and now flies back to Los Angeles for her orthodontic visits.  Now, that’s something to smile about.

When Pam Waterman got her braces off in the 1970s, she might have thought her life in orthodontics was over. After wearing full band style brackets for six years, any teenager would be happy to finally have a smile worth showing off. Her orthodontist at the time gave her an option to maintain her aligned teeth: either wear your retainer for the rest of your life or have your wisdom teeth removed, he advised. She opted for the latter, tossing her retainer to the side. As any modern orthodontist might have predicted, Pam was eventually back in braces after her teeth shifted.

The circumstances that brought her back into treatment, however, were less predictable. As she began to have children in the 90s, Pam worked as a freelance writer, eventually publishing two books about hands-on projects for kids. The mother of three girls in braces, Pam became frustrated by the lack of braces-friendly recipes for kids, though it wasn’t until her daughter came to her proposing a less sticky alternative for caramel apples that Pam started to think seriously about a braces cookbook. “My daughter and I started by taking each ‘forbidden food’ listed on a magnet our orthodontist gave us as a challenge to come up with an alternative. It was a fun starting point.”

The brainstorming led to “Metal Mouth Media,” a dynamic resource of orthodontic-friendly tips and gourmet cookbooks for the whole family. But at this point, Pam hadn’t gone back to braces just yet. She began to appear on TV to promote the cookbooks and realized that her misaligned teeth were showing on camera. “I was horrified,” she says. So she returned to her family orthodontist and became once again a braces-wearer to straighten out the damage done by years of going without her retainer. “It was so worth it to have the confidence of a great smile that I had lost along the way,” says Pam, a self-made advocate for orthodontic treatment. She adds one last word of wisdom: “You should wear your retainer forever. It’s a no brainer!”

For this Maryland dentist, as an adult it was an easy decision to seek a healthy beautiful smile under the care of an orthodontist.  Years ago, while she was in dental school at Howard University, one of her professors suggested Dr. Dorienne Taylor-Bishop get orthodontic treatment, as it would be covered by her student health insurance.  She took the advice and began treatment. However, after 19 months when cupid came calling, she opted to have her braces removed early for her wedding pictures.

Fast forward to March of 2013.  At the age 48, with two children in college, and after 20 plus years of treating and referring thousands of patients to orthodontists, Dr. Taylor-Bishop decided it was at last time to complete her own treatment.

“It was an easy decision to make,” said Dr. Taylor-Bishop, who has been a practicing general dentist since 1992.  “I knew I wanted a healthy, beautiful smile and I really had no trepidation about getting treatment as an adult.”

She opted for treatment by an orthodontist whose work she admires.  “I know my results will be excellent.”

Dr. Taylor-Bishop advises any adult considering treatment to keep in mind the health benefits of treatment.  “Orthodontic treatment is a therapy, not just for cosmetics.”

It’s hard to believe Dr. Steven Couch has accomplished so much already: earned an Eagle Scout badge, graduated from medical school, received the Heed Ophthalmic Foundation fellowship, published 16 scholarly articles and landed a position as Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. And to think he is only in his early thirties. As one of the youngest physicians in his field, Dr. Couch says he gets a lot of comments from patients on how young he looks. Now as an orthodontic patient, he jokes: “The braces don’t help that.” Dr. Couch opted for treatment as an adult because he did not have braces as a child. Always self-conscious about his smile, he felt the time was right to perfect his teeth. He started treatment in April 2013 and his teeth already look perfectly straight. Without question, he says he recommends orthodontic treatment to other adults. He also points out that braces have helped him to make other unexpected changes in his lifestyle, drinking less coffee and completely eliminating soda. “I used to chew a lot of gum and eat sticky foods. Now I choose healthier alternatives.” While his braces may not help him look the part of the wise old professor, they are certainly adding to his overall health and confidence.

Four years ago at the age of 54, attorney David Ransin of Springfield, Missouri, decided it was time to correct his ‘jumbled’ bottom teeth. “I knew my bottom teeth needed to be straightened, but I really didn’t want to ‘mess with it.’” However, after talking with friends and colleagues, he decided to visit an orthodontist to learn what his options were. David and his orthodontist agreed that clear aligners were the best course of treatment. Now at the conclusion of two years of treatment, he is extremely happy with the process and his healthy, beautiful smile. “I’m a trial lawyer, so I’ve already got a good dose of confidence,” he jokes. Although his pre-treatment smile never bothered him, an unintended ‘ah ha’ moment underscored the positive change in his appearance. A few years back, before he was in treatment, David had dental molds made for a whitening process. “I put the molds in a drawer and forgot about them. Just recently I pulled them out and held them up to my teeth, wow, it was clear that I needed to see an orthodontist.” he explains. Any advice for adults considering treatment? “It’s an absolute no brainer – jump on it! Get started NOW, you won’t regret it. You’ll be happy!”

At the age of five while driving down the 55 Freeway in Orange County, CA with his dad, Kory Cook noticed a local BMX (Bicycle Motorcross) track. He begged his father to stop and check it out, and Kory has been hooked on bike racing ever since. By age eight, Kory was competing at the national level. Five times a California State Champion, Kory won his first amateur national title in 2008 and became both a USA Cycling National Champion and UCI (Union Cycliste International) World Champion in 2009. Now in his 17th racing season and second Pro season, Kory competes on the Elite level around the world as part of the USA Men’s National team. His goal is to become a U.S. Olympian in 2016. Growing up around the BMX track has taught Kory some valuable life lessons, including if you want something, you must set goals and work hard to achieve them. Shortly after winning the UCI World Championship, 20-year old Kory began his adult orthodontic journey toward a healthy, beautiful smile. For the 18 months that Kory was in orthodontic treatment, he was fitted with traditional top and bottom braces. Now he simply wears retainers to sleep to keep his pearly whites nice and straight. “I got braces as an adult to improve my smile,” said Kory Cook. “As a result, I feel more at ease in front of cameras for interviews or photos. I wear my retainers as a mouthguard when I am riding.” Orthodontic treatment gave Kory the smile he felt he needed, especially now that his profession has him in the media. Whether posing for a photo, conducting race interviews, or mentoring young racers, Kory is more confident and believes it’s never too late to get the smile you want.

After working as a dental hygienist for thirty years, Sandra Rogers knows a thing or two about the power of a smile. She has witnessed the incredible transformations accomplished with high quality dental work, including repairs and whitening. In some cases, orthodontic treatment is the next step for patients wishing to resolve issues of crowding, misalignment and the burden of feeling self-conscious about a less-than-perfect smile. After years of recommending orthodontic care to her patients, Sandra realized that she also could benefit from a straighter smile. “It was time I took my own advice,” she says. When she went to see orthodontist Dr. James Paschal, he reviewed all the treatment options, and the two agreed on a plan that addressed both esthetics and long term health. Traditional treatment fit the bill. And as a dental health professional herself, Sandra knew that careful attention to her oral hygiene care would help move the treatment along smoothly and quickly. Eighteen months later, Sandra celebrates her choice. “I hope to live to 90 or 100 years old so I thought, why not take the time to do something I’d been wishing I could correct?” she says. “I’m so glad I did it.” Sandra now flashes her new smile with confidence. It’s a smile that has persuaded many patients to set up consultations with an orthodontist. “It’s allowed me to connect with my patients in a new way,” she says. “I’m better educated on what’s available for adults, I understand the health benefits, and I can explain how orthodontic treatment can have a positive effect on your oral hygiene. It’s an experience I love to share.” 

“I’m a tough audience and not easy to please,” explains Dary Stone, a member and past chairman of the Board of Regents of Baylor University. “I was shocked at how easy and economical the entire process was.” What is this highly respected Dallas business and community leader referring to? His healthy, beautiful smile accomplished with clear aligners. Stone did not have orthodontic treatment as a child, and at the age of 59, his teeth had shifted. What were once minor imperfections became more pronounced. As a real estate developer, financial services executive and former chairman of the Finance Commission of Texas, Stone is often in the public eye and decided clear aligners were the best option for him. It’s evident he couldn’t be more pleased with his decision. “The entire process was very easy and economical and I heartily recommend it for anyone wanting to look and feel their best.” He even got an unexpected benefit. With his renewed smile, Dary says he stepped up his workout routine and has lost a few pounds along the way. When asked if he had any advice to someone considering orthodontic treatment Stone is quick to respond. “I’m a zealot at this point. I can’t imagine a result that is any better.”

As a child, Linda Fleming suffered two traumatic accidents which resulted in lifelong oral health problems. She recalls her airway was the “size of a noodle,” which led to chronic problems breathing and even eating. But Linda’s busy life as wife, mother, accountant and missionary (she generally does two overseas trips a year) kept her health issues on the back burner. However, by age 62, her breathing problems began to worsen, and her dentist insisted she visit a colleague in Birmingham, Alabama; an orthodontist with experience in treating complex cases with a multi-disciplinary approach. Orthodontist David Sarver, DDS, MS, assumed the role of “quarterback” in Linda’s treatment, which eventually involved not only orthodontics, but also oral and plastic surgery as well as cosmetic dental care. Dr. Sarver documented each phase of the multi-faceted treatment plan, and the results can be viewed in this video. Although she didn’t begin treatment until age 62, Linda feels she has an entirely new lease on life. “I didn’t hesitate to wear metal braces at my age,” she says. Although she required some significant surgeries to align her jaw and solve other medical issues, Linda hasn’t looked back once. “I’m no longer on medications, I can sleep at night, and for the first time in my life, I can eat anything I want!”