We advise consumers against seeking at-home treatment options. Orthodontic care is not a quick fix. It is a complex biological process that involves changes in jaw bones, facial bones and soft tissue as teeth are moved into their new positions.
Appropriate care should always start with a thorough examination of the teeth and mouth, and study of dental records such as x-rays, photos and models of the teeth. From this, your orthodontist can develop a custom treatment plan to best address your needs.
At-home treatments don’t ensure that you’re working with a certified orthodontist and skip the examination process leaving a lot of room for guess work. When it comes to your smile, you shouldn’t leave anything up to chance.
At-Home Orthodontics
At-home orthodontics might sound like a good idea at first, but there are actually a lot of risks involved. When receiving at-home treatment, you’re not usually required to set foot in a dentist or orthodontist’s office before receiving your appliance. This means that you will not have x-rays taken nor a thorough examination performed, both important for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
If not fitted properly, the appliance could end up causing permanent damage to your mouth and teeth. Quick and easy is rarely better.
Considering At-Home Treatment? Read This First.
We strongly caution consumers against using at-home orthodontic services unless you have done thorough research into the company’s treatment process. If you decide to use an online orthodontic service, we want to stress the importance of asking the right questions.
Below are a few key questions you should be asking during your online orthodontic consultation.
Is an orthodontic specialist supervising your treatment?
In most instances direct-to-consumer orthodontic companies do not involve the in-person evaluation and/or in-person supervision of your orthodontic treatment by a licensed orthodontist.
Orthodontic treatment involves the movement of biological material, which could lead to potentially irreversible and expensive damage such as tooth and gum loss, changed bites, and other issues if not done correctly.