The concept of “DIY Orthodontics” has been gaining popularity recently. You may have seen ads from companies claiming that their system will straighten your teeth in less time, for less money, and you’ll never have to step foot in an orthodontist’s office. While all of this may sound appealing, we urge you to not cut corners when it comes to your smile. Here’s why you should leave orthodontics to the professionals.
Even professionals make mistakes
Even people who have gone through training and schooling for dental and orthodontic work still manage to make mistakes when treating smiles. With that being said, do you trust yourself to do something that most people go to years of school to learn, and is so involved and intricate that sometimes they still mess up? Hopefully the answer is no!
You don’t see a doctor
With DIY orthodontics, there’s no doctor involved in your treatment. That means that no one checks to make sure your mouth, teeth, and gums are healthy and clears you to undergo orthodontic treatment. Additionally, an orthodontist is not monitoring your progress, which means that you may not even notice if a problem arises during treatment. Sometimes, teeth don’t move the way we expect them to, and without an orthodontist, proper adjustments can’t be made, which can drastically affect your end result.
Doesn’t address other issues
Since you don’t see an orthodontist when you take your treatment in to your own hands, you are often only addressing the position of teeth. However, if the jaw and bite are not taken into account when straightening teeth, the results can leave you unable to chew or close your teeth.
Fixing the damage is expensive
Sure, the initial cost of DIY orthodontics may be cheaper than seeing an actual orthodontist. However, going back to fix the damage you created means you will end up spending a lot more than you would have if you had come in to see a doctor in the first place! If you want or need orthodontic treatment but aren’t sure how to pay for it, talk to an orthodontist first before resorting to a DIY method. Many orthodontists offer payment plans and other financing options!
Our alternative
In response to the growing popularity of DIY orthodontics, we are now offering a similar, low-cost service, but your treatment is done under the supervision of an actual orthodontist. At your initial appointment, we will fit you for the aligners. You will then receive the entire system of aligners, and you go through the system on your own. You only come in to the office for an appointment at the beginning and end of their treatment—never in between.
While this method still isn’t ideal, we believe that seeing patients at the beginning and end of treatment gives them a better chance at a great smile than if they do it all themselves. And, if you aren’t happy with your end result, we can work with you until you get the smile you want!
We hope that you will think twice before choosing DIY orthodontics. You deserve a healthy smile that you are proud of, and the best way to achieve one is with the guidance of an orthodontist.
If you would like to learn more about our treatment and financing options, visit our website or give us a call to make an appointment.