A great smile can serve as a huge confidence-booster – something that’s key for standing out in today’s competitive job market. The old adage, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression,” holds truer than ever before, and with the limited number of jobs available, only the most confident candidates are landing positions.
In fact, almost all job interview tips include the reminder for the interviewee to smile. A smile that shows teeth conveys an open and friendly attitude and can often put the interviewer at ease as well. For the job candidate with less-than-perfect teeth, the fear of braces can prevent them from seeking the necessary treatment.
To some adults hoping to improve their smiles, orthodontic work may seem elementary – “braces are for teenagers,” or “I can’t show up to a job interview with a mouthful of metal and wires” – and treatment is often dismissed.
“It’s a tough job market, and a lot of folks are expressing an interest in improving their smiles for prospective employers,” says Dr. Adam Schulhof (http://www.kindersmiles.com/Office/ContactUs/tabid/172/Default.aspx) of New Jersey-based Kinder Smiles (http://www.kindersmiles.com/Home/tabid/105/Default.aspx) orthodontics. “The problem is, adults are often embarrassed to be seen with them at this stage in life or are worried they’ll be too uncomfortable and unsightly.”
The solution, Schulhof says, is simple and readily available. For the past several years, Schulhof – along with a growing number orthodontists throughout the country – have been offering their patients an innovative type of customized braces placed on the back of the teeth instead of the front, completely hidden from view.
The product, 3MTM IncognitoTM Hidden Braces, works entirely like traditional braces – the only difference, of course, being its discreet placement.
“Treatment with Incognito Braces really is the perfect fit for adult professionals,” Schulhof says. “We have many patients who say they’ve been considering braces for years, but are skeptical of having visible metal braces in the professional world. Now they can smile with confidence during their entire treatment.”
Adults “bracing up” is becoming increasingly more common. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, more than one million American adults currently have braces – up 25 percent from 1990.
Incognito Hidden Braces are appropriate for anyone who can be treated with traditional braces. The brackets are customized using computer-aided design and manufacturing technology, while the wires are robotically bent for a precise fit to both the patient’s teeth and their orthodontist’s individual prescription – a solution that is designed to require less adjustments and, in turn, fewer appointments.
And, Schulhof says, it’s that customization – coupled with the braces being hidden from view – that makes them ideal for anyone hoping to perk up their pearly whites for the job hunt.
“What better way to improve that first impression than to improve your smile,” Schulhof says. “Especially when no one can see how you’re doing it.”
For more information on 3M Unitek Incognito Braces, visit www.hiddenbraces.com.
