Tulsa Orthodontist Sees More Adults Seeking Braces

More adults are getting braces for their teeth. A recent study shows from 1989 to 2008, that number went up by almost 25-percent.

Now, some orthodontists are using cutting edge technology to hide them.

It's hard to tell, but Angela Larson is wearing braces and she says that invisibility helps her as the Chief Financial Officer at Montereau Retirement Community. Years of teeth grinding made her look for answers from Dr. Clint Emerson at Esthetique Orthodontics & Facial Beauty in Tulsa.

He's one of the few orthodontists in Oklahoma who put in Incognito braces. It's a brand of what are called lingual braces that go behind your teeth.

"It's the most cosmetic hidden treatment in the entire world. Unless you want people to know that the braces are on, they won't know that you have it," said Dr. Clint Emerson.

Dr. Emerson says most of his patients, don't want people to know.

Dr. Laurie Flynn, Breast Surgical Oncologist, had braces when she was a teenager, but didn't wear her retainer enough.

She recently had her new braces taken off.

"As a surgeon, I come in contact with a lot of people every day. I didn't want to detract from the situation at hand. I didn't want to focus on my braces," said Dr. Laurie Flynn.

There are other options; Invisalign is a clear tray that corrects teeth. And some orthodontists will put in lingual braces the traditional way, manually bending the wires, and attaching braces to the back of your teeth one by one. Incognito uses a robot to custom-fit braces to your mouth.

Angela Larson admits there's a learning curve, but hopefully, it will work for her.

Incognito braces usually cost $6,000 - $8,000.