Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026
07:32
Measuring Maxillary Posterior Tooth Movement: A Model Assessment using Palatal and Dental Superimposition
Published on: February 23, 2024
Orthodontic dental patients and expenditures--2004
Albert H Guay1, L Jackson Brown, Thomas Wall
1American Dental Association, Chicago, IL, USA.
Summary
Orthodontic services are increasingly sought by children aged 8-18, with fewer adults seeking treatment. This trend may lead to increased future dental expenditures for pediatric orthodontic care.
Area of Science:
- Dental Public Health
- Health Economics
Background:
- Examining trends in orthodontic patient demographics.
- Analyzing the relationship between orthodontic expenditures, patient age, and income.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe recent trends in the age of patients receiving orthodontic services.
- To investigate the correlation between orthodontic service expenditures and patient age/income.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from three national health expenditure surveys.
- Surveys were conducted in 1987, 1996, and 2004.
- Data sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research.
Main Results:
- Overall patient numbers increased due to population growth.
- A notable shift in patient age distribution occurred.
- Children (8-18) constituted a larger proportion of orthodontic patients, while adult (19+) numbers decreased.
Conclusions:
- Children aged 8-18 represented a greater share of orthodontic patients in 2004 compared to 1987 and 1996.
- Future increases in orthodontic expenditure for children (8-18) are possible due to reduced need for restorative dental services.
