Over the past couple of years, we have seen an increase in the number of DIY cheap aligner providers. They often claim to cost a fraction of the price of aligner treatment from a qualified Specialist Orthodontist, whilst providing the same smile benefits.
Is this true? Or is it a case of aggressive advertising?
Companies such as Invisalign have been in operation for many years, providing aligner manufacturing services. Experienced Specialist Orthodontists, like Dr Ronan Perry, use these tools to design a treatment to fix your smile, and then supervise the treatment, ensuring you get the smile that he designed for you.
The main concern with a person ordering aligners online is that they will never meet a qualified orthodontist to access their dental health and smile needs.
Poor quality treatment with do-it-yourself (DIY) cheap aligners can cause serious damage to your teeth. There are many conditions that make aligners inappropriate, but without a proper diagnosis from a qualified orthodontist, you might never know if you are at risk of damaging your smile.
Aligners from a Specialist Orthodontist
High-quality, professional treatment using aligners such as Invisalign or Reveal reliably produces amazing smiles.
Invisalign type aligners are not a ready-made solution. They should be thought of as a tool set. You can either do a great job with the tools at your disposal or a bad job.
When used correctly, aligners can address simple issues such as relapse after previous treatment, or complex issues such as deep bites and missing teeth.
But treatment must always be safe and appropriate, and you need a Specialist Orthodontist to make that assessment.
The Risks of DIY Cheap aligners
The thought of people self-diagnosing and damaging their smiles is a frightening one for Specialist Orthodontists.
At-home cheap aligners ask people to diagnose their own smile problems, take their own dental impressions and manage the progress of their own treatment.
This entire process is fraught with dangers that can prove to be extremely harmful to your teeth.
The American Dental Association (ADA), has issued consumer warnings against DIY cheap aligners. If you’re thinking about aligners you need to ask:
- Is the proposed treatment going to be based on a diagnosis of my X-rays, skeletal structure and full examination of my teeth, jaws and gums?
- What is the name of the orthodontist designing my treatment? What is that person’s Specialist Orthodontic registration number?
- Are my teeth and gums healthy enough for orthodontic treatment?
- What is the name and number of the Orthodontist I can see in an Orthodontic Emergency?
If they can’t answer these questions, your smile health is at risk
Why do you need your treatment managed by a Specialist Orthodontist?
At Plaza Dental, sadly, we have seen many people attend the surgery with smiles that have been damaged by DIY cheap aligners.
In one instance, a person paid €2000 for treatment that failed to move any teeth. It was a complete waste of money. The treatment design was so poor and ineffective that it was never going to work.
Some poor DIY treatments have led to bite & jaw problems, accelerated teeth wearing, gum disease and even lost teeth.
There are also now DIY companies asking people to file their own teeth, something that can lead to all sorts of long-lasting damage to teeth!
Without the correct diagnosis, direct supervision and full dental records patients have no idea about any underlying problems, such as cavities, abscesses or gum infections that impact treatment suitability.
Many dental problems don’t have obvious symptoms and are easy to overlook by people. But are spotted by Orthodontists.
Look at it this way, you could find out about a problem by having a heart attack, but would you not prefer to find out before with a heart check-up?
Getting the best advice
Specialist Orthodontists understand the mechanics behind teeth movement.
Dr Ronan Perry knows how bones, teeth and gums need to be managed during treatment, he is the best person to safely and effectively design your new smile.
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You can book online or give us a call on 01 444 0709