If you’ve been wanting straighter teeth, you’re in luck! Thanks to modern dentistry, it’s easier than ever to achieve the smile of your dreams. Mail order aligners like Smile Direct Club have certainly become one of the most popular options for orthodontics. However, they come with a handful of dangers that you probably aren’t aware of. Read on to learn more about the surprising risks of mail order aligners and why Invisalign is always the better treatment!

First, what are mail order aligners?

Because clear aligners can be costly, many companies (not dentists) started offering mail order aligners. Your treatment starts with an at-home impression kit instead of seeing a dentist or orthodontist. Once you’ve taken your impressions, they are examined by a technician to see if you’re a good candidate for treatment. If so, your clear aligners are sent directly to your home with a set of instructions. Unfortunately, these companies have a goal to sell to their patients instead of ensuring their health, which is why there are some serious risks that come with mail order aligners.

No comprehensive exam before treatment

Before beginning braces or Invisalign with a dentist or orthodontist, they will always examine your mouth first. Their job is much more than just straightening your teeth. In fact, they can address oral health issues like gum disease or decay that may lead to concerns in the future. However, without a professional examining your smile before treatment, these problems can go unchecked, impacting the overall success of your treatment.

No real supervision during the process

During your journey toward straight teeth, your orthodontist or dentist would normally require follow up visits every 6 to 8 weeks just to ensure that your treatment is going smoothly. During these appointments, an expert will carefully make any adjustments or corrections needed. However, checkups with mail order aligners are nonexistent. While wearing your clear aligners, it’s possible to develop dental issues, or your teeth could move at a different rate than anticipated. Without any supervision, these problems will impact your final results and even your oral health in general.

Putting your teeth at risk after treatment

The whole point of getting clear aligners is to improve the appearance and health of your smile. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of cases with mail order aligners that report results worse than what the patients started with. Some can’t close their smiles all the way or even lose teeth, leading to even more extensive and expensive dentistry, which will require time in the dental chair that you wanted to avoid in the first place.

Thankfully, there is no need to put your smile at risk! All you have to do is contact your dentist to get started on predictable, effective, and professionally supervised Invisalign clear aligners.

Meet the dentist

Dr. Dean Hutto works to offer the best treatment options for his Baytown patients. He has taken countless hours of continuing education courses so he can provide services like Invisalign in addition to routine checkups and cleanings. For any questions, contact the office for more details.