You can purchase nearly anything through the internet, from food to furniture, to meet almost every need. There is a growing number of websites that claim to offer teeth straightening solutions and you never have to visit a dentist or orthodontist. While they promise great outcomes for low cost, can they really replace your orthodontist?
Most of these companies use putty and a mouth tray to have the person take an impression of their own teeth. The impressions are then mailed the company’s dentist who supposedly examines them and uses 3D modeling software to suggest a course of treatment. This treatment is often a series of clear aligners that they patient wears to achieve the desired result.
Convenience and low cost are the two benefits cited for using this treatment option, but this ignores three serious problems that are avoided through care provided by directly by an orthodontist.
1. Potential Health Hazards. Many people don’t like to go to the dentist and using an online service seems like the best way to get straight teeth without the stress of an office visit. However, if you have problems such as cavities, gingivitis, chipped teeth, etc., the orthodontist might recommend that teeth straightening be postponed until these issues are addressed. Many serious dental problems cannot be diagnosed from an impression and require an in-office visit for diagnosis and treatment.
2. Incomplete Medical Record. An orthodontist uses X-rays of your teeth to assure that you are a good candidate for treatments or to best determine which treatment will be most effective. Also, the X-rays may identify a misalignment issue of the bones or teeth, which will require a different course of treatment to correct. An internet-based orthodontic service does not have access to your X-rays and cannot make this necessary level of evaluation.
3. Lack of Regular Checkups: Regular checkups are an important part of the treatment process to ensure that teeth are moving properly, on schedule, and, most important, safely. Internet-based programs lack this hands-on care which could be hazardous and potentially damaging.
These risks outweigh any potential cost savings that you may achieve through purchasing braces online. In fact, they may cause serious harm, which will cost more money to correct.
DeDomenico Orthodontics is committed to helping you achieve your best possible smile and is committed to working with you, whatever your financial situation may be. For the convenience of our patients, we have five locations throughout Central Florida. If you want to learn more about the orthodontic procedures available at DeDomenico Orthodontics, please contact us today at 813.961.1313. We look forward to seeing you smile!
