The Perils of At-Home Orthodontic Care
Our Seattle orthodontist would like to send out a heads-up about the perils of at-home orthodontic care. There are companies in operation today advertising DIY orthodontics designed to help people save thousands of dollars on the orthodontic treatment they need. These companies sell plastic aligner trays that look like Invisalign which are created from impressions consumers take of their teeth at home.
The Problem with Do-It-Yourself Invisalign
The main problem with at-home orthodontic care is that this type treatment cannot address very important issues regarding how the upper and lower teeth meet or the health status of the jaw joints and gums. Even though the companies offering at-home orthodontics do provide customer support, the “patients” have no licensed orthodontists overseeing their progress as they move through the series of aligners they’re given.
This lack of professional guidance can lead to some serious problems developing like:
- Unpredictable and undesirable tooth movement
- Permanent damage being done to the teeth
- Bone loss in the jaw
- Tooth decay & gum disease
An In-Person Orthodontic Evaluation is Important!
No licensed and reputable orthodontist would ever recommend orthodontic appliances to a patient without first providing that patient with a thorough orthodontic evaluation. Even though the companies offering at-home orthodontics advertise that each case is reviewed by a dentist, these hired dentists are approving cases based solely on selfies and models of questionable quality, with no diagnostic records and no oral health evaluation.
Contact Your Local Seattle Orthodontist
Dr. Peralta is a licensed and experienced orthodontist who offers individualized orthodontic treatment to patients of all ages living throughout Burien, West Seattle, Renton, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac, and the greater Seattle, WA area. If you want to improve your smile safely, predictably and effectively with braces or Invisalign, we encourage you to request a free consultation with Dr. Peralta today. We hope to hear from you soon!
