You’re not alone if you’re eager to straighten your smile but prefer to avoid the hassle and frustration of traditional orthodontics. Fortunately, many orthodontists in Rockwall today offer more comfortable and discreet clear aligners to help shift your teeth to their ideal positions.
But if you’re on a tight budget, you might feel tempted to purchase mail-order trays, which you may come to regret. Continue reading to learn about 3 common risks associated with buying clear aligners online instead of consulting your provider!
Concern #1: Lack of Oversight
One of the chief concerns that professional providers have regarding mail-order aligners is the lack of professional oversight. For example, these services might not require a pre-treatment examination to address oral issues, like cavities or gum disease. The trays must be worn for 20 to 22 hours daily, giving bacteria in your mouth plenty of time to flourish and make matters work. Any disease and decay present could worsen the longer you wear the trays without addressing them, which can seriously damage your dental health over time.
Not only that, but without periodic follow-up appointments, there’s no way to monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan to accommodate stubborn teeth that might not shift at the anticipated rate.
Concern #2: Ill-fitting Trays
Another concern with mail-order aligners is that they don’t usually fit as well as the trays your orthodontist provides. This is because they often rely on outdated methods for making impressions, like biting into trays of putty, allowing it to harden, and mailing the results back to the company to begin crafting your trays.
The slightest change in the pressure of your bite can lead to inaccuracies that cause the aligners to fit improperly, resulting in ill-fitting trays that are uncomfortable to wear, don’t function correctly, and are more likely to rub raw spots in the sensitive tissues inside your mouth.
Concern #3: Worsening Misalignments
The lack of professional oversight and ill-fitting trays often associated with mail-order aligners might also lead to longer or more costly treatments because they’re less likely to be effective than the custom-fitted trays your orthodontist can provide.
Not only that, but you might inadvertently worsen your tooth or bite misalignments by using products that aren’t sufficiently customized or monitored, which sometimes require additional services, such as traditional braces, to correct.
Thankfully, many orthodontists understand that patients might worry about affording professional services and offer flexible financial solutions to help make treatments more affordable!
Meet the Author
Dr. Bart Miller has 20+ years of experience helping people of all ages improve their lives by straightening their smiles. He earned his dental degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, then completed his specialty orthodontic training at the Baylor College of Dentistry. Today, he offers a variety of orthodontic services, including clear aligners, tailored to meet your unique needs. You can request an appointment on the website or call one of his conveniently located offices near you!
