6 Dangers of Using Mail-Order Clear Aligners During COVID-19

Set of clean, professional aligners of Invisalign in Richardson

How are you passing your time at home during the COVID-19 quarantine? Many people are doing their best to make the most of a bad situation by taking this time to focus on improving themselves. However, some DIY self-improvement trends can actually leave you worse for wear, like mail-order aligners. Companies like the Smile Direct Club and others promise a fast, convenient, and affordable orthodontic treatment that comes in the mail. The reality is, these cheaper aligners can easily leave you stuck in quarantine with painful, crooked, and damaged teeth! Here are six reasons why you should avoid using mail-order clear aligners and wait to see your dentist for Invisalign in Richardson instead.

1.) Your Dentist Needs to Ensure Invisalign Is Right for You

Sending pictures or molds of your teeth to an aligner company through the mail isn’t the same as seeing a dentist for an in-person consultation. It takes a close inspection to ensure that your orthodontic issues can be effectively treated by clear aligners. Additionally, issues like tooth decay and gum disease can cause permanent damage during your treatment, and mail-order companies can’t usually detect these problems.

2.) In-Person Checkups Are a Must to Keep You on Track

When it comes to moving your permanent teeth, small errors can lead to serious complications. Regular, in-person checkups with your dentist are essential for monitoring your progress and making sure everything is going as planned. With mail-order braces, there’s no way to tell if your treatment is on track or not.

3.) Your Treatment May Need to be Adjusted Occasionally

While modern technology makes Invisalign treatments highly predictable and reliable, there may still be instances where your treatment plan needs to be adjusted. If your teeth aren’t responding to the aligners as anticipated, your dentist may slightly adjust them to improve comfort, speed, or effectiveness. Without a professional monitoring your progress, you’ll have no way of knowing if your treatment is working as it should.

4.) Mail-Order Braces Can Potentially Cost a Lot More

One of the big draws of mail-order braces is their lower price. However, choosing a cheaper treatment could end up costing you a significant amount of time, money, and discomfort in the long run. There are plenty of ways mail-order aligners may shift your teeth, jaw, or bite into the wrong spots, which would require extra, more invasive treatment from a professional to repair the damage.

5.) You May Accidentally Destroy Your Teeth or Jaw

To move permanent teeth with orthodontics, the jawbone is gradually reshaped to hold them in place. Carelessly putting the wrong amount of pressure in the wrong places can move your teeth too quickly or in the wrong direction, which could easily lead to fractured roots, jawbone deterioration, and a crooked bite alignment. Only treatment from a trained dentist can straighten your smile without causing these complications.

6.) The ADA Warns Against Them

One of the most widely regarded authorities in oral healthcare practices is the American Dental Association (ADA). They rigorously test all sorts of dental products, from toothbrushes to mouthwashes to denture products, and give them an official Seal of Approval if they meet their high standards for safety and efficiency. Not only do mail-order braces from companies like the Smile Direct Club not meet these standards, but they are openly labeled by the ADA as dangerous and ineffective.

Don’t accidentally ruin your smile by trying mail-order clear aligners during the COVID-19 quarantine.  If you’re looking to straighten your teeth in Richardson, talk to your dentist about Invisalign instead!

About the Author

Dr. Ellis Shwarts of Shwarts Family Dentistry has been caring for the smiles of Richardson and the surrounding communities for nearly a decade. He and his team focus on comfortable dentistry, honest communication, and excellent results to help make every appointment as pleasant as possible for smiles of all ages and backgrounds. With advanced treatments like Invisalign, he is dedicated to helping everyone get the happy, healthy smiles they deserve. To learn more about Invisalign, he can be contacted via his website or at (972) 437-6035.