In the quest for a perfect smile, the allure of mail-in clear aligners can be tempting. After all, they offer the same type of orthodontic treatment as professional dentists, but for a fraction of the price, right? Wrong.
Beneath the promise of convenience lies a set of potential dangers that you should be aware of. Continue reading to learn of five significant risks associated with opting for mail-in clear aligners and why making informed decisions about your dental care is important.
1. No Assessment or Customization
The companies springing up on social media platforms and direct advertisements offer a simple premise. You make an impression of your teeth with the provided kit, send it off, and follow the instructions that come back to you in the mail.
In theory, these aligners should work like Invisalign, using clear plastic trays to slowly shift your teeth into a more aligned position in your mouth. However, there is no assessment done for this treatment, not even an X-ray.
2. No Patient Monitoring During Treatment
How does the company know where your teeth will shift once your treatment begins? What if you have complications that the impression can’t pick up such as gum disease? These factors won’t be taken into account.
Since you’re not being monitored by a professional dentist, there’s no one to turn to if your teeth shift in an unexpected direction or begin to hurt.
3. Aligners May Cause Further Harm
The aligners that come with these kits aren’t customized to you in the way that a full professional orthodontic kit would be. There’s a great chance that the aligners will end up causing more harm than good!
4. Companies Offering Aligners Are Shady
There are many professional dental organizations that are in agreement about the legitimacy of these companies: they’re not trustworthy and not rooted in science.
The American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists have voiced their disapproval or are planning to sue companies offering these services, alleging that they are engaged in an unlawful practice of dentistry.
5. More Cost to You in the End
Professional dentists go to school for several years to learn the techniques necessary to restore your smile with systems like Invisalign or braces.
While these companies claim that your treatment with their product is overseen by a professional dentist, there’s no evidence to suggest that they can make any necessary adjustments or corrections.
This is why, despite the costs involved in professional treatment, it’s still the best and safest option. If the mail-in aligners cause more damage to your teeth, you’ll end up paying more to have your dentist fix them.
It can be tempting to go for the cheapest and most convenient option when it comes to oral care, but your smile’s health and safety should always take precedence. If you need treatment to straighten your smile, please ask your dentist.
About the Author
Dr. Vincent Lam is a highly skilled and professional dentist with a patient-first mentality. Dr. Lam pursued his dental doctorate at Temple University in Philadelphia and has since completed hundreds of hours of continuing education in multiple dental disciplines. With an attention to detail and a caring heart, Dr. Lam is dedicated to delivering top-quality dental care and ensuring the well-being and satisfaction of his patients. To schedule an appointment at Seahurst Smiles of Burien, call (206) 589-8556 or visit the website for more information.