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Orthodontic Patients at an All-Time High: What This Means for the Future of Care

The numbers are in, and they’re telling a powerful story: orthodontics has never been busier. According to the 2025 AAO Economics of Orthodontics & Patient Census Survey, orthodontists across the U.S. and Canada are treating more patients than at any point since the survey began in 1987. Record-Breaking Growth
  • The average orthodontist now manages 696 active patients, up from 574 just two years ago.
  • Across North America, that translates to 6.66 million people in treatment today.
  • Adult patients are on the rise too – now 1.91 million, compared to 1.64 million in 2022.
This isn’t just a bump; it’s a surge that’s reshaping how practices operate and how patients experience care. Why It Matters This growth is exciting – but it comes with challenges:
  • Capacity & Efficiency: More patients mean fuller schedules and increased demand for staff, streamlined workflows, and faster diagnostics.
  • Adult Expectations: Adult patients often seek discreet, convenient, and highly personalized treatment – raising the bar for communication and case presentation.
  • Competitive Pressure: As demand grows, so does the competition. Practices need to differentiate with technology, transparency, and patient experience.
From Challenge to Opportunity With patient numbers at record highs, orthodontic practices and DSOs have a unique opportunity to elevate their care models. The key is to balance scalability with personalization – keeping operations efficient while ensuring every patient feels informed and confident in their treatment. How CephX Fits In This is where technology like CephX by Orca Dental AI becomes invaluable. As practices juggle higher patient volumes, CephX helps turn complexity into clarity:
  • Instant, AI-powered cephalometric analysis delivered in seconds.
  • Clear, visual case presentations that help patients – especially adults – understand their treatment journey.
  • FDA-cleared accuracy and consistency, giving clinicians confidence and patients trust.
  • Cloud-based accessibility for multi-location DSOs managing thousands of active patients.
By embedding CephX into daily workflows, orthodontists can keep pace with demand, maintain diagnostic excellence, and strengthen the patient experience – ensuring this historic growth translates into lasting success. To summarize, record patient numbers are good news for orthodontics. With the right tools, practices can turn today’s surge into tomorrow’s opportunity. Want to see CephX in action ? Contact us info@cephx.com

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