KEY POINTS:
Being told they need to wear braces is enough to wipe the smile off the face of most teens.
But the crooked teeth correctors are increasingly popular with adults seeking the perfect smile.
Orthodontists and cosmetic industry experts say the number of adult Kiwis wearing braces has risen
sharply in the past decade, although there are no figures.
Karen Brook of the New Zealand Association of Orthodontics estimated about 15 per cent of her clients were adults and that was "many, many more" than 14 years ago when she opened her practice on Auckland's North Shore.
Like Hollywood heart-throb Tom Cruise, many are parents who realised they could realign their teeth after taking children for treatment.
Others were influenced by TV shows such as Extreme Makeover and 10 Years Younger.
"Extreme Makeover has been the biggest boost for appearance medicine and dentistry," said New Zealand Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry president Ed Alcock.
Work to improve smiles had enjoyed one of the biggest growths in the appearance medicine industry because it was directly linked to image and self-esteem, he said.
Technological advances, such as clear braces, invisible brackets and lingual braces (which go behind the teeth) were all popular with adults.
Otago University's head of orthodontics, David Healey, said there were three main reasons for the increase: adults financing their treatment, becoming more aware of their appearance, and realising braces could work for all ages.
While some needed braces to correct problems with their bite or prevent cavities in crooked teeth, Healey said patients always said they wanted to look better.
Braces wearer Rose Garratt, 34, said seeing a photo of her crooked teeth spurred her to get treatment more than two years ago.
"My teeth were skewed, but I didn't realise how badly until I saw that photo.
"I don't really think I stand out with them on, although the funniest reaction I had was when I smiled at a woman and she jumped back, with a look of shock on her face."
Fellow wearer Andrew Gibson, 40, said reactions were generally positive and many were interested in the treatment "especially those with crooked teeth".
Healey, who had braces fitted when he was 32, said it could be embarrassing at social events if food got stuck in the wires.
"But once you've got over that, it's not a big deal... although I'm not sure my girlfriend at the time was all that keen."
FAMOUS ADULT BRACE WEARERS
Tom Cruise: The Hollywood superstar got braces at the relatively late age of 39, opting for the clear variety on his upper teeth, after taking one of his kids to the orthodontist for a check-up.
Ugly Betty: America Ferrera's character in the hit US TV show may not be the best advert for orthodontics because her braces seem to be there for life, but her shiny grin just beams.
Jaws: The evil baddie, played by Richard Kiel, in James Bond films The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker owned a serious mouthful of metal. He put it to use in various attempts to bite Bond to death.