Are Mail-Order Braces a Good Idea?

You come across an ad for smile straighteners you can get right in the mail. Maybe you’ve always needed braces and never got them or have a few small issues you would like to correct. The idea of getting braces in the mail without ever visiting a dentist may seem attractive. However, mail-order smile aligners may not be as good as they seem. Take a look at some of the downfalls of this too-good-to-be-true solution.

You are never directly assessed by an orthodontist during treatment.

When you are referred to an orthodontist for braces, you will go through a thorough evaluation of all of the parts of your mouth. Yes, the orthodontist will likely take impressions of your teeth, but these impressions are not the single determining factor for how your treatment progresses from there.

Important professionals recommend against mail-order braces.

Both the American Asociation of Orthodontists and the American Dental Association recommend steering clear of offers for mail-order braces. Both of these organizations dictate the standards of care with dental health, and their recommendations should be highly regarded. Both organizations have released statements warning that improper treatment with braces without the oversight of a medical professional could lead to negative consequences or outcomes. For example, if your teeth are improperly moved with the treatment, you may end up with a lot of costly treatment required to actually get your teeth straight.

The treatment is not really tailored to you personally.

This downfall can seem counterintuitive. After all, you do give impressions of your mouth and get sets of aligners that are custom-made for you. However, it is not the aligners that you get that are not tailored to you; it is the treatment. When you work directly with an orthodontist with braces, you will go in periodically to make sure the braces are working. When you are simply getting a set of aligners, you do not have anyone adjusting your treatment as your smile changes. If something happens and one set of aligners is not moving your teeth in the right direction, you would never have someone watching to make sure adjustments are made to the treatment plan.

Talk to a Dentist in Sugar Land About Braces

In the end, it is far better to trust a dentist’s advice about braces and an orthodontist when it comes to braces treatment. Reach out to us at First Dental Family and Cosmetic Dentistry for advice.