Recently, companies have started popping up that offer to straighten your teeth completely from home, without going to a dentist’s office. It sounds like a tempting offer, but don’t be fooled; mail-order aligners can be dangerous, and they might even damage your teeth rather than fixing them.
what are mail order aligners?
Usually, a mail order alignment company will ask you to mail in an impression of your teeth. then they’ll mail you back a set of alignment trays that they claim will straighten your teeth to a professional level for half the price.
But the process of straightening teeth is complicated, which is why dental professionals need specific certification to become a qualified dentist. So if a company boasts that you can have straight teeth without ever setting foot in a dentist’s office, beware.
what’s wrong with mail order aligners?
So what’s wrong with the convenience of mail order aligners? may seem like a great option, especially for people who don’t enjoy going to the dentist’s office, but the system has several drawbacks.
you will not have access to a qualified dentist
Mail-order aligners may have medical professionals on staff, but these individuals will not be able to meet with you in person to address your specific needs.
When you wear traditional braces, invisalign® clear aligners, clear ceramic braces, or any other tools to straighten your teeth, it’s very important to be able to regularly meet with your dentist in person.
You should be able to customize your treatment, fit your braces and aligners, and make sure the teeth straightening process is progressing smoothly. You can’t do these things right when you don’t have in-person access to a qualified professional.
treatment options are limited
When you work with a dentist in person, they will be able to provide you with a treatment plan designed just for you. Your teeth are unique, so your straightening process should be too.
mail order aligners don’t have the luxury of offering customizable straightening options; often you will only have one treatment option, no matter what your dental needs are. Remember, there are many more treatment options than mail order companies can offer!
mail order technology is often behind schedule
There is a limited amount of technology that can be mailed, and that technology is often outdated. Today’s dental technology uses state-of-the-art scanners, x-rays and more to make sure your dentist knows your teeth from top to bottom. this helps them give you the precise treatment you need.
The aligners that mail order companies send you do not represent the best that dental technology can do for you, which means you will likely receive worse treatment than your family or friends.
. . . and you may pay it later
When you use limited technology and don’t have access to a qualified dentist, you may experience negative consequences that could set you back rather than improve your smile.
From the beginning of your mail order process, you are asked to take impressions of your teeth yourself, and if you mess up in any way, the rest of your treatment will be based on imperfect impressions.
A mismatched aligner can erode your gums and shift your teeth out of position, which can be painful and expensive to repair. The danger of using mail order aligners to avoid going to the dentist’s office is that you could end up spending even more time and money later to repair the damage.
The following stories describe some of the dangers that can come from mail-order teeth straightening:
For straighter, healthier teeth, visit your dentist in person!
Mail-order aligners may seem convenient, but they come with significant risks. For teeth that are not only straight but also healthy, contact us for an invisalign® treatment today!