ethos™ orthodontist Dr. Kent Farmer said the practice had consulted an increasing number of simple case patients seeking to achieve an improved smile but who were reluctant to commit to any long-term or invasive procedures likely to impede on their busy lifestyles.

“Our new pathway is ideal for patients seeking superior quality, efficient treatment without a referral, at 40 to 60 per cent less than the average cost of traditional orthodontic treatments such as labial braces,” he said.

“ethos™ lite is performed by highly trained specialists and designed for individuals who wish to make small but significant changes to their teeth, by improving alignment, closing gaps or enhancing their smile.

Dr. Farmer said when searching for the right simple case treatment plan, people should be seriously mindful of the quality of treatments on offer when making decisions based on price.

“The marketplace certainly doesn’t fall short of mediocre offerings for these types of treatments which promise life-lasting results yet compromise on quality.

“People are being misdiagnosed every minute – this increases risk and can lead to pain, discomfort, increased costs and treatment time,” he said.

Dr Farmer said the words “specialist” and “expensive” were not necessarily synonymous, and undergoing simple case treatment with an accredited orthodontist didn’t always carry the price tag many would expect.

“Treatment by a specialist doesn’t mean increased cost; it equals accurate diagnoses, more efficient treatment, minimised risks, better results and peace of mind that you are in the very best hands,” Dr Farmer said.

University of Melbourne Psychiatrist Dr. David Castle said he was not surprised by the surge in popularity of aesthetic orthodontics, suggesting the younger generation in particular were becoming increasingly concerned with their appearance.

“The issue is particularly poignant for men and women between the 18 and 35 years old. Younger Australians are plagued by image related media messages, but media is only one piece of the puzzle - it’s a mirror for what is going on in society,” Dr. Castle said.

“Social media has also become a permeating influence and it’s naïve to expect it isn’t playing a role in influencing people’s perceptions of their appearance. The majority of people under 30 have their lives on show through social networks and as a result are paying far more attention to the way they are perceived by others.

“Individuals in this age group are also likely to be carving out careers or perhaps getting married and feel that improving their appearance will have positive effects on other parts of their lives. People are entitled to improve their appearance; it can certainly be of benefit to one’s self esteem so long as expectations are realistic,” he said.

ethos™ orthodontics is a leading orthodontic practice with nine locations across Brisbane. To find out more about ethos™ lite, arrange a consultation or find a practice near you visit www.ethosorthodontics.com.au