For Today's Singles, The Secret To A Better Love Life May Be A Better Smile

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As the summer fling season concludes, singles nationwide are refocusing on how to put their best foot forward to find their soul mate – or at least a few great dates.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130909/LA75856-INFO)

What's the secret to attracting that special someone, the one you want to shower with affection? In honor of National Singles Week (September 15-21, 2013), Invisalign commissioned Harris Interactive to conduct a "Singles & Smiles" online survey among more than 2,000 U.S. adults from July 24-26. The survey found that an improved smile influences whether single Americans pucker up, as nearly three out of four (74%) would rather kiss someone with a nice smile than someone with crooked teeth. Additionally, half (50%) of American singles think that people with nicer smiles have more sex and roughly 1 in 5 (16%) believe that they would have more sex if they had straighter teeth. Additionally, Overall, nearly 1 in 5 (18%) U.S. adults feel they are being held back from finding love by their imperfect smile.

Nationally recognized lifestyle expert and proclaimed single gal Justine Santaniello knows first-hand the challenges that the nearly 100 million U.S. singles face when navigating the dating world. "It's an inexact science.  There's no perfect recipe of style, looks and other personal traits that boosts a single's chances of success in finding their soul mate, or at least of steering away from the dating duds. But what is clear from loads of research and my personal experience is that having a winning smile often influences whether you even get that first date."

Additional "Singles & Smiles" survey insights include:

• What I Like About You. An overwhelming majority (82%) of U.S. adults agree that the first thing people notice about others is their smile.
• First Kiss Deal Breakers. A whopping 92% of U.S. adults cite a mouth-related trait as a major turn-off in a potential partner. The biggest offender – no surprise – is bad breath which more than four in five (82%) U.S. adults cite as a prime mood cooler. In addition, more than one-third of U.S. adults cite crooked teeth as a turn-off.
• Don't Be Afraid To Show That Smile. When asked what personal traits make adults self-conscious, three in ten (30%) U.S. adults cite their teeth, followed by their hair (26%), skin (23%) and overall style (13%).
• Fix Those Choppers & Find Your Soul Mate! Nearly two in five (39%) U.S. adults feel that having a treatment/procedure done to their teeth would help them attract a potential mate. And more than one in five (21%) U.S. adults feel that straightening their teeth would help them change their status from "single" to "in a relationship."

"I see amazing personal transformations on a daily basis, which you wouldn't necessarily expect for an orthodontist," said New York-based Dr. Joseph Hung of Manhattan Orthodontics. "A large percentage of my client base is single and it's astounding to see how a simple correction of their smile, through orthodontic treatments such as Invisalign, transforms not only their smile, but also their overall looks and disposition.  I like to say they come into my dental chair as a caterpillar and leave as a butterfly."

Adults often feel that teeth straightening is too much trouble, too embarrassing, or too disruptive to their life, so they forego treatment. Invisalign is an ideal solution for most adults to straighten their teeth and achieve a beautiful smile in a reasonable amount of time, with few feelings of self-consciousness during treatment due to the nearly invisible aligners, and minimal impact on their busy schedule. Singles, in particular, want a subtle solution, and Invisalign aligners provide the best of both worlds - virtually invisible when worn (no metal or wires), and removable when needed, making it simple to get ready for romance.

Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States between July 24-26, 2013 among 2,013 adults ages 18 and older, by Harris Interactive (via its Quick Query omnibus product) on behalf of Align Technology, Inc., makers of Invisalign. Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, please contact Shari Gold at [email protected].

About Invisalign
Adults and teens now have a modern choice for straightening their teeth. No more wires and brackets required – Invisalign is the clear alternative to metal braces that uses a series of virtually invisible and removable aligners that gradually move teeth over time. The benefits include no food restrictions, the ability to easily maintain healthy dental brushing habits, minimal interference with sports or other activities, and teeth get straightened without most people knowing you are in treatment. Learn more and find a preferred provider at www.invisalign.com.

About Align Technology, Inc.
Align Technology designs, manufactures and markets Invisalign, a proprietary method for treating malocclusion, or the misalignment of teeth. Invisalign corrects malocclusion using a series of clear, nearly invisible, removable appliances that gently move teeth to a desired final position. Because it does not rely on the use of metal or ceramic brackets and wires, Invisalign significantly reduces the aesthetic and other limitations associated with braces. Invisalign is appropriate for treating adults and teens. Align Technology was founded in March 1997 and received FDA clearance to market Invisalign in 1998.

Contact: Shari Gold
GOLD PR
(714) 251-0375
[email protected]

SOURCE Invisalign