Are At-Home and Online Braces Too Good to Be True?
Today, with YouTube and the ability to order just about anything online, it’s no surprise that there are “do-it-yourself” options available that appear to offer quick and easy fixes for straightening your teeth. Seems simple enough. What could go wrong, right? Read on to find out what dangers there may be in using at-home and online braces options.
What Are DIY Braces?
Simply put, DIY means not going to an orthodontist and doing the teeth straightening at home instead. Having information so easily available on the internet isn’t always a good thing. There are thousands of videos and articles on how to apply braces at home. One of the main reasons DIY is popular is the cost factor. But the questions you should ask yourself include, “How much is a healthy smile worth to me?” and “How much is it going to cost to repair the damage done by improperly straightening my teeth?” You know the true value of having a professionally trained orthodontist diagnose and manage you or your child’s orthodontic procedure, but do your family and friends? Be sure to share this article with them!
The Potential Dental DIY Damage Is Real and Can Be Long-Term
Fortunately, when you search DIY online, you’ll also find thousands of videos and articles explaining why it isn’t the best idea when it comes to your oral health.
A major problem with at-home orthodontics is the lack of supervision. Whether you are applying rubber bands or ordering kits from an online business, the lack of monitoring from trained professionals like our team can cause irreversible and costly damage to your mouth. Aligner trays bought online that are even slightly “off” can cause a jaw that is slightly misaligned to worsen. Photographs and molds alone can’t provide the diagnosis we can face-to-face. Though we do enjoy seeing you, that’s not the primary reason for scheduled visits. Regular checkups before, during, and after the process are essential for monitoring progress and making corrections when necessary.
Even the most basic DIY method of placing a rubber band around teeth to try to move them can cause serious complications like tooth fracture, gum damage, damage to the root, loss of teeth, or other serious medical complications.
We are trained to avoid these types of complications. Becoming an orthodontist requires a minimum of two years of additional education under the supervision of qualified orthodontists after completing dental school. It’s a rigorous process for a reason. Creating great smiles is more than straightening teeth — it requires precision and a great deal of knowledge about oral health.
The Bottom Line
There are very good reasons any orthodontic treatment is best left to orthodontists. Your teeth are unique, and we can diagnose, provide the treatment solution that fits your individual need, and monitor every step to ensure the best results. Call us to find out more about our orthodontic services or to set up an appointment today. And be sure to share this information with others in your family and your friends — their own long-term oral health and that of their children and family are too important to leave to DIY orthodontics.
Best,
The Team at The Best Braces
