Unfortunately, as more and more patients are attempting at-home treatment with mail-order braces, the success rate of this type of treatment appears to be dwindling. The limitations of mail-order orthodontics are increasing, and more patients are coming forward with their stories. Here are a few of these limitations.
Your Treatments Are Limited With Mail-Order Braces
Since you’re not seeing an orthodontist face-to-face, you don’t have a lot of options when it comes to your treatment plan and you’re not able to change your treatment path either if you’re not seeing the results that you desire.
It seems as though you are stuck with what you are given. You can’t even choose the orthodontist assigned to you. This is the person who is reviewing your file and making the decisions that are affecting your outcome. Can you really trust someone you’ve never met with something as important as your smile?
At-home treatment can only address minor issues, such as:
- Mild alignment issues
- Mild spacing issues
- Slight bite problems
- Mild crowding
So, if you’ve got a more complex issue, at-home treatment is not going to help. Also, at-home treatment won’t address underlying issues, leaving these problems often unchecked. Since you’re not seeing an orthodontist, addressing underlying problems are impossible, which can cause a bigger problem later on.
Lack of Support With Mail-Order Orthodontics
When you see an orthodontist in their office, you develop a relationship with them. You’re able to ask any questions you may have and address issues every step of the way. This is not the case with at-home orthodontics. With at-home treatment, there is no personal connection with your orthodontic professional. It’s difficult to show concern for a patient they’ve never met, and it seems like these individuals are only in it for the money. You deserve to have that connection with your orthodontist and achieve maximum results from your treatment.
Potential for Harm Is Greater
The ADA (American Dental Association) discourages what they call “DIY Orthodontics” because of the potential for harm to the patient. There have been numerous reports that have surfaced about problems arising with at-home treatment, causing professionals linked to the ADA to believe supervision by a trained and licensed orthodontist is necessary for success.
The Truth About Mail-Order Orthodontic Treatment
The truth is coming out about the outcome of at-home treatment as it is made more available. There seem to be more limitations than benefits, making this a risky choice for those contemplating orthodontic treatment. There’s no telling what underlying issues you may have, and unless you are a licensed orthodontist yourself, it may be difficult to diagnose from the comfort of your own home. Leave it to the experts when it comes to your teeth. After all, your smile is a big part of who you are, and it deserves to be perfect!
The team at Charleston Orthodontic Specialists is ready to help you on your journey to a beautiful smile. Call (843) 4-BRACES to get started with our licensed professionals today!