If you’ve seen a lot of information lately about do-it-yourself teeth straightening in the comforts of your own home, you’re not alone. On top of mail-order options that deliver aligners straight to your doorstep, the Internet is ripe with “tutorials” for fixing dental issues, such as using elastic hairbands to eliminate unwanted gaps in your teeth. But, even though DIY orthodontics is gaining popularity, it’s also causing numerous dental problems.
At Georgetown Orthodontics in Washington, DC, Maya Oliver, DDS, offers safe, effective, and affordable teeth-straightening solutions, including traditional and innovative braces technology as well as Invisalign® removable aligners.
If you want to improve your smile, there’s a reason to do it under the personalized care of an experienced orthodontist like Dr. Oliver. Here are a few risks that come with DIY solutions.
No medical expertise
It’s true that straightening your teeth on your own comes with a lower price tag. Instead of paying an experienced orthodontist to take dental impressions of your teeth and develop a personalized treatment strategy, you become the expert. When you use mail-order DIY systems, for example, you provide all the information they need to make your liners. In many cases, you take molds of your mouth and send in photos of your smile. You also determine the state of your oral health.
While skipping office visits with an orthodontist can save you money, it also leaves medical expertise out of the equation. As a result, you can get aligners that don’t fit properly. You’re also left to rely on your own judgment throughout the process, which can cause dental issues.
Dental damage
There’s a reason why orthodontists have specialized education that includes a four-year degree, four years of dental school, and 2-3 years of additional orthodontic training. Without their expert supervision and personalized approach when straightening your teeth, you run the risk of developing numerous dental issues, including:
- Cavities
- Gum disease
- Tooth loosening
- Root and tooth damage
- Gum recession
- Bite issues
- Tooth loss
In fact, approximately 13% of board-certified orthodontists report treating men, women, and children with dental damage caused by mail-order DIY treatments.
Lost time and money
When it comes to fixing your smile, everyone wants fast results and a low price. Unfortunately, despite the lower cost of mail-order and DIY solutions, you can spend more on these approaches in the long run because of the damage they can cause. Working with a trained professional can improve your smile even faster than before, thanks to safe and innovative advancements, such as Damon™ Smile braces and the Invisalign system.
Under Dr. Oliver’s expert care, you can expect a personalized approach designed to straighten your teeth and correct any unique dental issues you may have.
To find the best teeth-straightening system for your lifestyle and budget, book an appointment online or over the phone with Georgetown Orthodontics today.