University of Glasgow Dental School, Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, 378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JZ, UK.
Professor of Medical Ethics and Law, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
Br Dent J. 2023 Jan;234(2):84-87. doi: 10.1038/s41415-023-5451-3. Epub 2023 Jan 27.
Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon healthcare sectors generally, and what this continues to mean in particular for the practice of dentistry, there is evidence of an unanticipated upsurge in the demand for orthodontic treatment. This was observed in the UK and internationally as a manifestation of the so-called 'Zoom boom', in which video conferencing from home on various platforms suddenly exponentiated. As a result, it seems people became more self-conscious when viewing their appearance on-screen. Among the precipitating factors for individuals taking the consequent step of seeking orthodontic treatment are: the unavailability of more invasive smile enhancement treatments due to the pandemic restrictions; a more favourable infection control probability in orthodontic therapy; and the extra disposable funds that would otherwise be spent on holidays and leisure activities. This article explores different possible social and commercial drivers behind this phenomenon and suggests that the circumstances of the pandemic have shifted the pursuit of the desirable smile somewhat towards orthodontics, and as a consequence, is beneficial both to the public and the profession of dentistry as a whole.
尽管 COVID-19 大流行对医疗保健部门产生了影响，尤其是对牙科实践产生了持续影响，但有证据表明，正畸治疗的需求出人意料地增加了。这在英国和国际上都有观察到，是所谓的“Zoom 热潮”的表现，即各种平台上的家庭视频会议突然呈指数级增长。因此，人们在屏幕上看到自己的样子时似乎变得更加自觉了。促使个人采取后续正畸治疗措施的促成因素包括：由于大流行限制，更具侵入性的微笑增强治疗不可用；正畸治疗中感染控制的可能性更高；以及原本用于度假和休闲活动的额外可支配资金。本文探讨了这一现象背后的不同社会和商业驱动因素，并认为大流行的情况使得人们对理想微笑的追求在一定程度上转向了正畸治疗，因此对公众和整个牙科行业都是有益的。
