You buy groceries online. You get an Uber on your phone. You meet your colleagues on Zoom. Some things are better done remotely. However, when it comes to making changes to your smile, you shouldn’t take a chance! At first, mail-in aligners seem like a great way to straighten your crooked teeth at a fraction of the cost of Invisalign treatment at your dentist’s office, but this remote approach comes with several risks. Read on to learn more about the dangers of mail-in aligners and how in-person care is worth the extra cost.
Incomplete or Inaccurate Exam to Start Treatment
With mail-in clear aligners, you are supposed to take pictures of various angles of your mouth and take a putty impression of your teeth. From this information alone, the dentist is supposed to put together your entire treatment plan. When you work with a dentist in person, they conduct a much more thorough exam, including X-rays, bite assessment, and more. Armed with this comprehensive knowledge of your smile, they create a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs.
Let’s face it—getting putty impressions isn’t the most pleasant experience, but can you imagine doing it all on your own? In order to have accurate data, you must prepare the putty perfectly and stay absolutely still for several minutes. If your impressions aren’t precise, you could end up with aligners that don’t fit, potentially damaging your teeth or gums. It’s much easier and safer to have impressions taken with someone who has received training and has experience doing it.
No Supervision from a Licensed Professional
Although a real dentist may be involved right at the beginning of mail-in aligner treatment, you’re basically left to fend for yourself after that point. What if you lose an aligner? What if your teeth don’t shift properly? What if the aligners don’t fit or cause damage to your teeth? You could spend hours on the phone talking to a customer service representative, who isn’t a licensed dental professional.
The Risks to Your Smile
There have been many reports of people who have tried mail-in aligners and ended up with teeth worse than before. In some cases, these patients have even lost teeth. As a result, they have had to spend more money to fix their smile. Others have experienced damage to their teeth, costing a pretty penny.
Ultimately, the savings simply aren’t worth the risks of choosing mail-in aligners. You shouldn’t have to go on this journey alone—you need the support of a trained professional. By working with a dentist directly, you can have the peace of mind that your teeth are being straightened properly. You also can know from the beginning that you’ll love the results.
About the Author
At Seahurst Park Dentistry, Dr. David Thomas loves helping patients achieve their best smiles. After graduating with his dental doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh, he completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry program at the Maricopa Institute of Health Services Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. If you have questions about mail-in aligners, or if you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Thomas, you can contact him through his website or by calling 206-244-4622.
