Smiles are important. A person’s oral health can have a significant impact on his or her opportunities, self-confidence, and overall health. A beautiful smile and a more optimal level of health can be achieved by correcting crooked or misaligned teeth. A recent trend has been to entice patients with promises of equal quality care at a lower cost and without the need for in-office visits. Unfortunately, many people have discovered too late that these promises are false.
What is the mail-order trend?
The recent trend of remote orthodontic care, generally in the form of mail-order aligners, has been causing havoc for so many people. In recent years, private companies have advertised online that they will provide clear aligners that are similar to those used by orthodontists’ offices. They claim to be able to provide the same level of care at a lower cost without the need for office visits.
Is there a problem?
A number of problems may arise during the remote care process. An orthodontist fabricates your aligners based on a digital scan of your mouth. Each aligner in the series is custom-created in order to guide your teeth into their proper positions. As a result, the aligners are a precise fit for your mouth and teeth.
Aligners manufactured by mail order are fabricated from a mold of your teeth taken without the assistance of a dental professional to ensure that the aligners are placed and fitted correctly. In general, molds are less accurate than digital scans, which may result in an incorrect fit for the aligner.
During professional orthodontic care, such as that offered by our doctor, you will visit our office for a series of appointments, during which our team will evaluate your progress and monitor for any early warning signs of complications. Unless you follow recommended guidelines, your treatment can be prolonged, so these appointments are essential to ensuring the most successful outcome possible.
During remote orthodontic treatment, your care is overseen by a doctor you have never met in person. While you will generally be able to email with questions or concerns, it is your responsibility to determine whether there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Following the recommended guidelines can prevent your treatment from being prolonged, so these appointments are essential to the success of your treatment.
If you are considering straightening your teeth, do not let false promises or cheap alternatives influence your decision. Make an appointment with our doctor and feel confident about your investment in your smile.