Lately, Do-It-Yourself (DIY) dentistry has become popular, especially at-home teeth aligners.
At Yonge Eglinton Dental, our patients often ask if these DIY kits are safe. While the jury is still out, the growing use of at-home aligners is concerning.
Straightening your teeth is a complex process that needs expert supervision. Although cost-effective and convenient, these kits may not necessarily help you straighten yours. If misused, they might even complicate your existing orthodontic issues.
In this post, we will discuss at-home aligners, how they work, and if they are worth it.
What Are At-Home Aligners?
At-home aligners are orthodontic devices that you can use to straighten teeth without seeing a dentist. These aligners are marketed as cost-effective and convenient alternatives to traditional braces and in-office Invisalign treatments.
How Do They Work?
At-home aligners work just like in-office orthodontic treatments.
The process includes:
Impression Kits
At-home aligners come with an impression kit. When you buy the kit, you can get the impression of your teeth and send it back to the company. This impression helps create a series of invisible aligners that can align your teeth.
Treatment Plan
Once the company receives your impression, dental professionals review it and create a series of clear aligners tailored to your needs and a treatment plan, which are shipped to you when ready.
Aligner DeliveryYou should receive clear aligners with a teeth straightening treatment plan in a couple of weeks. Depending on your plan, you may need to change your aligners every couple of weeks. Using these aligners regularly for a few months might help you get straighter teeth and a more confident smile.
Why People Love At-Home Aligners?
These teeth aligners are popular for two reasons:
1. Cost-Effective
Low price is often the first draw for many looking to straighten their teeth. At-home aligners are typically more affordable than traditional orthodontic treatments because they don’t require expert supervision or frequent dental visits. Additionally, many companies offer flexible payment plans, making these kits more accessible and affordable.
2. Convenient
Getting mail-order aligners is easier than visiting a dentist, especially for those in remote areas who may not have access to a doctor-directed treatment plan. The allure of ordering your customised clear aligners often attracts people to try out these kits.
Are At-Home Aligners Safe?
At-home aligners may be a workable option if you are unable to afford traditional in-office orthodontic treatment or do not have easy access to in-office teeth straightening treatment. However, these kits come with a few concerning drawbacks, such as:
Lack of Personal Supervision
When you mail-order a teeth straightening kit, there is virtually zero interaction with your dental providers. Unlike in-office treatment, they create your treatment plan in a remote lab based only on the impressions you mailed, which has a few downsides.
For one, these dental experts often do not have access to your medical history and dental history which is essential for dental treatment. Secondly, there is no in-person checkup to see if you have other dental issues that might which may be impacted by orthodontic treatment.
No Follow-Ups
At Yonge Eglinton Dental, we schedule regular follow-ups for our patients. These checkups are necessary to see if you are on the right track. If the treatment is not proceeding as planned, checkups can help make necessary adjustments to produce more accurate results. But with without in person follow-ups, the outcome of at-home aligner treatment may not proceed as intended.
Incorrect Impressions
The appeal of low-cost teeth alignment comes with an increased risk of errors. Taking your own dental impressions may not be as accurate as in-office procedures. And since the treatment plan is based on these impressions, errors may cause your aligners to not fit properly and may not produce the desired results.
However, with in-office treatments, a skilled dental professional checks the fit of your aligners. With aligners fitting your teeth snugly, you are more likely to see the desired results without added discomfort.
Limited Scope
While they may be able to fix minor misalignments, at-home teeth aligners are not designed to handle complex orthodontic issues. Moreover, they cannot address other dental concerns like cavities, gum disease, gap teeth, or some bite problems, which may exacerbate these conditions when you start using at-home aligners.
But when you visit your dentist for orthodontic treatment, the first thing they do is check your teeth. This reduces the risk of underlying issues developing becoming more problematic with orthodontic treatment.
Increased risk of future complications
Orthodontic treatment is a complex process.. It has the potention to damage your teeth, gums, and roots, and sometimes, lead to irreversible damage.
Unreliable Results
Another major drawback of at-home aligners is the lack of consistency. Quality and effectiveness can vary significantly from brand to brand, which may affect the overall result. If the results are not acceptable, you might have to start the entire treatment all over again. This is not only time-consuming but also expensive and stressful.
Wrapping Up
Before you choose a treatment, we recommend that you look at all your options. While at-home aligners offer convenience and save money, they come with significant risks and limitations. On the other hand, in-office teeth alignment is a much safer, reliable, and proven way to fix your teeth.
At Yonge Eglinton Dental, we encourage our patients to make informed decisions. Regardless of the underlying condition, we will provide you with all the information you need to choose select the treatment that meets your needsCall 416-932-2222 or book your appointment online.
