Invisalign Inquiry: How to Avoid Mail-Order Mishaps

Many people want straighter smiles but don’t have dental insurance to help cover orthodontics like braces or Invisalign. If you’re worried about how to afford professional services, you might feel tempted to seek an alternative solution.

Several websites offer mail-order clear aligners that claim to be able to reposition your pearly whites safely, but are they safe and effective? Read on to learn about three possible risks of purchasing orthodontics online to understand why it’s better to see your dentist instead!

Potential Problem #1: No Preliminary Examination

There are many apparent conveniences to purchasing aligners from the internet, but hidden pitfalls might occur if you do. For instance, because everything is handled long-distance, a qualified professional cannot examine your mouth to ensure you’re a good candidate for the treatment before proceeding.

Your dentist is more than happy to help you enhance your grin to boost your confidence in the way you look, but they don’t want to put your oral health at risk to do it. They always check for signs of cavities or gum disease and treat those before proceeding with elected cosmetic services. This ensures that your smile stays happy and healthy the entire time.

Potential Problem #2: A Lack of Oversight

Invisalign requires that you wear clear plastic trays for 22 hours daily to gently shift your teeth to their ideal placements. Your dentist provides a new set every one to two weeks to account for the ongoing movement of your teeth. Though these are predesigned in advance, your provider monitors your condition with follow-up appointments every few weeks to ensure everything stays on track.

Unfortunately, mail-order aligners don’t offer the same level of management. If you have a problem with them like they’re poorly fitting, a stubborn tooth won’t budge, or a tray was lost or broken, there’s no one to help you readjust.

Potential Problem #3: Making Matters Worse

Plenty of patients who have turned to online aligners regret the decision because they end up with teeth that are more gapped or crooked than they started with. Without anyone to oversee your treatment progress, there’s a chance you could end up exacerbating your situation rather than fixing it. If that happens, you’ll end up spending more time and resources to rectify the issue than you would have if you had started with your dentist to begin with.

The best way to safely straighten your smile is to consult a qualified provider!

About the Author

Dr. Terry Rakowsky has nearly 35 years of experience helping people of all ages enhance their lives by improving their oral health. He earned his dental doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and has continued his education with ongoing courses at the Dawson Academy and Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. Now, he is a proud member of the American Dental Association and other professional organizations. He takes the time to learn your unique goals and concerns and then utilizes state-of-the-art technology and techniques to achieve them. If you’re interested in Invisalign, you can request an appointment on the website or call (215) 348-2224.