Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably seen ads for at-home aligner companies explode over the last couple of years. Their marketing campaigns seem to be everywhere, promoting straighter teeth through mail-order aligners. If you’re hoping to improve your smile, being able to do it on a budget from home is a compelling idea. If it seems too good to be true, though, it probably is.
That’s definitely the case with at-home or mail-order aligner treatments! Many orthodontic specialists like Dr. Joanna Yu are encouraging would-be patients to steer clear of these companies, and with good reason. There are a lot of unknowns surrounding the safety and overall efficiency of mail-order aligners.
Let’s look at three things you won’t get with mail-order orthodontics and why in-person treatment is the best option for your smile.
What is Mail-Order Orthodontic Treatment?
Mail-order aligners are a part of the online orthodontics trend that makes promises it can’t keep. Using a series of clear aligner trays, this form of orthodontic treatment promises to deliver you a straight smile without the need to leave your home for orthodontic appointments.
Instead of seeing an orthodontist to get your aligners, you can order them online, use an app to track your progress, and never step foot in an orthodontist’s office throughout your treatment process. Mail-order aligners offer to make orthodontic treatment quick and easy, without the hard work that professional orthodontists have always taken to straighten your smile. Sound familiar?
You Won’t Get A Custom Treatment Plan
If you’re looking for quality care designed just for you, you won’t get it with online orthodontics. The typical, high-quality orthodontic treatment process requires you to meet for an initial assessment with a professional orthodontist to determine the right treatment plan for your needs. Depending on the severity of your case and your smile goals, Dr.Yu will design a custom treatment plan that meets your specific needs and requirements.
On the other hand, mail-order aligners treat orthodontics like a one-size-fits-all process. This approach can be highly problematic for the success of your treatment plan because it won’t take your body’s individual response to braces into account, and it won’t be able to adapt along with your smile.
It’s also important to remember that not everyone is a good candidate for clear aligner trays. Some people, especially those with more severe conditions, need traditional metal braces for treatment to work. Without a professional orthodontist designing and overseeing a treatment plan just for you, you may end up with the wrong treatment method.
You Won’t Get Total Orthodontic Care
Professional orthodontics is all about total care. Orthodontists like Dr. Joanna Yu spend years in school learning how to adjust your facial bone structure with precision and accuracy so you’ll be proud of your smile. In fact, many orthodontic issues lie below the gum line, where only X-rays can reveal their true condition. Only an expert who knows how to account for your total oral care can treat these issues.
Because online orthodontics only requires cell phone pictures to determine your treatment plan, mail-order aligners can’t correct the orthodontic issues below the surface and can even make them worse.
You Won’t Get the Same Quality for Your Money
Orthodontic treatment is an investment in your smile. Although mail-order orthodontic companies promise cheaper services, the discount you’re getting comes at the cost of quality treatment. You won’t be able to meet with an orthodontist in person, mail-order aligners won’t customize your treatment for your unique needs, and you could end up needing further corrective treatment in the long run.
When you meet with Dr. Yu, on the other hand, you’ll recognize her quality care from the start. You’ll never have to worry that your treatment lacks what it needs to give you a
Choose Quality for Your Smile at Adult & Pediatric Orthodontics
Choose Quality for Your Smile at Adult & Pediatric OrthodonticsOur expert team at Adult & Pediatric Orthodontics takes pride in making your experience pleasant and personalized, from the initial consultation to your most recent check-up. If you wonder what the best route to your perfect smile is, schedule your FREE consultation today at our Portland & Windham offices and let us help you confidently navigate this journey.