Thinking about ordering teeth aligners by mail? no one has perfect teeth. no, not even that unusually nice person sitting next to you. Most people’s teeth could use at least a little straightening, either for cosmetic reasons or to help the jaw close more efficiently. everyone wants the most beautiful smile possible, and the way to achieve it is with straighter, whiter teeth. There are many good reasons for this, mainly of a social nature. however, the quality of your smile can even affect your employability and your chances of landing the next big promotion. so straight teeth are no laughing matter.
To accomplish this, dentists can apply a number of tried and tested tools and techniques, including braces, special dentures, and even some newer, more advanced methods. Inevitably, there are some “dental” braces on the market that promise straighter teeth without having to visit your dentist. they’re advertised as much cheaper than traditional braces, and they’re advertised in a way that seems to suggest that the people selling them are trustworthy and know what they’re doing.
are they cheaper?
Of course, what we’re talking about here is mail order dental aligners. They are made by companies like candid, newsmile, and several other manufacturers and range in price from $1,145 to $1,900. therefore, at the end of the day, they are not much cheaper than traditional braces, which will almost certainly work.
The most prominent among the companies that sell dental aligners by mail is invisalign. They have ads appearing on prime time television, in popular magazines, and even on billboards in major cities. they are extremely popular and the market is predicted to reach a total value of more than $8 million. therefore, it is not surprising why they are promoted so much.
It should be noted that invisalign works with licensed professional dental experts. they use and produce the proprietary materials needed to manufacture orthodontic-quality dental aligners. But many people get interested in these products, do a google search and buy non-professional teeth alignment braces from another company, and that’s where they run into trouble. but what exactly are they?
What Are Mail-Order Teeth Aligners?
Most mail order dental aligners are made from clear plastics that are not protected by patents. While the companies that sell them may claim that their mail order aligners are made of “shape memory” materials, the likelihood of this being the case is low. professional orthodontists can prescribe similar devices. But professionally manufactured teeth aligners contain special proprietary materials. For a mail-order teeth aligner manufacturer to make a material capable of the same shape memory effect, they would either have to be guilty of industrial espionage or very lucky.
To get the correct shape for your teeth, mail order aligners must be based on an impression of the patient’s actual teeth. This can be done using a plaster impression, similar to what your dentist will use, or a laser-guided model, which must be created at a regional center.
delivery of dental aligners by mail
Either way, the resulting mail-order braces must be shipped by ground to the regional center for home or post office pickup. cash register. Because these braces lack the proprietary shape-memory plastic found in professional tooth aligners, they are likely to lose their shape during shipping.
While a wearer may detect loss of proper form due to damage and refrain from using the faulty aligners, they are more likely to wear them with a poor or detrimental result. Unfortunately, this is far from the only problem with these sub-par mail order dental aligners.
The good news is that professional orthodontists like Voss Dental in Houston, Texas have identified a long list of verifiable reasons why you should avoid these substandard dental aligners. we think you’ll find that genuine, professionally designed and installed dental aligners will do a much better job, are safer, and only cost a little more than dental aligners you can get online and receive by mail.
7 more reasons why you should never order dental aligners online
We’ve already covered one of the many problems with aligners for crooked teeth that you can buy online and receive in the mail: namely, the fact that the non-proprietary plastic can warp and lose its shape, rendering them useless. . But there are even more serious potential consequences of purchasing these dental aligners.
the treatment is not adapted to your needs
When you order teeth aligners by mail order or online, you will be no different in the eyes of the merchant you are dealing with than any of the thousands of anonymous customers looking for cheap aligners for crooked teeth. you will receive what you have asked for and nothing more. Compared to the personalized attention you can expect from a trained orthodontist, this botched treatment is hardly worth it.
You will not be evaluated directly by a professional orthodontist
As mentioned above, every set of teeth is different and they all have different oral health needs. When you order braces by mail, you lose the opportunity to be seen and treated by a professionally trained and certified orthodontist. This professional is there to personally examine your teeth and gums, to develop a clinically informed medical opinion about the needs of your teeth and your overall oral health.
There are numerous conditions that can be exacerbated by a set of ill-fitting teeth aligners that have arrived in the mail. Even if you use a mail-order mold to make an impression of your teeth, it’s unlikely that the person receiving that mold will be a dentist. Even if he or she were a dental professional, they would not learn anything about the condition of your gums, tongue, and connective tissues. If you have a condition that will be made worse by mail order braces, the manufacturer of your mail order dental aligners will have no way of knowing.
You’ll likely end up paying more if you consider buying dental aligners by mail order
Because the party selling your dental aligners by mail is only interested in completing the transaction, you will likely end up paying more in the long run to straighten your teeth. If your teeth aligners are crooked when they arrive, or are damaged, a refund may not be possible. in this case, you will still need teeth aligners and can expect to pay a second time. Also, a set of non-professional aligners received through the mail and ordered online can damage your teeth and gums. in that case, you will need additional treatment which can be quite painful and expensive.
There is a common phrase that applies to any consumer purchase. is “shop right, don’t shop twice”.
available treatment options are very limited
When you order teeth aligners by mail online, there is no chance of being seen or treated by a real, trained dentist. you will lose the chance to be properly diagnosed and treated for any potentially dangerous oral condition. oral cancer, for example, has a survival rate of over 90%, but only for those diagnosed early. If you’re avoiding the dentist for financial or other reasons, it means serious conditions may not be managed.
Of course, treating undiagnosed conditions is impossible. also, any additional treatment you may need or benefit from will not be performed.
mail-order teeth aligners are manufactured using outdated techniques
The traditional way of making dental impressions is an acceptable technique for producing dentures or other custom dental appliances. however, it is not the only way to make a mold for your teeth aligners and it can be tricky. sometimes, even in a professional setting, the procedure can go wrong and will need to be repeated. in a professional setting, this is not a big deal. But when you make it at home using a mail-order kit, you only get one chance. it is likely to be messy and there is no way for you to know if the mold you have produced is accurate or not.
Also, sending such a kit through the mail can damage the mold. the person receiving the cast may not even recognize the damage as such. you may end up with a misshapen set of mail order dental aligners, and the chances of a refund are very low.
invisalign by mail is a better option
If you choose to order invisalign dental aligners by mail, you will have the opportunity to obtain your impressions in the office of a qualified orthodontist, such as voss dental. Your orthodontist can make a high-quality dental cast and work with invisalign to create a high-quality set of dental aligners.
Alternatively, you can order invisalign by mail. in this case, you may need to travel to a centralized national service center to have your impressions taken. then you can wait to receive your invisalign in the mail. While this is a better option than going with one of the many other flight-by-night mail-order tooth aligner companies, it is still highly preferable to work with a trained dentist to get a set of tooth aligners. of quality.
By taking this route, you’ll have direct access to someone who can repair, adjust or replace your dental aligners if the need arises.
repairs & replacement quality for mail order dental aligners will be poor or non-existent
When you choose mail order dental aligners made from non-proprietary materials, it’s unlikely you’ll receive quality follow-up service. If your aligners need to be repaired, replaced, or adjusted, you’ll have no one to turn to. working with a trained dental expert gives you access to any repair or replacement services you may need.
To learn more about the many advantages of professional-grade dental aligners and about the benefits and cost of invisalign in houston, contact voss dental in houston, texas. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is eager to answer your questions about the cost of braces in houston.