Let’s face it, the idea of getting straight teeth faster, cheaper, and without the need for in office appointments sounds incredible. However, we see patients all the time who have tried these “online aligners” only to not have achieved the results they were promised. Sometimes it is better to spend a little more than you had hoped, than not enough. Here are five differences between the aligners you’ll get “online” and those provided by The Smile Outlet.
They Are Not Designed By Those Who You See
In our office, we design every aligner that we provide our patients. Aligner design requires an understanding of 1) the patient’s final goals, 2) the sequence and speed of tooth movements, 3) the overcorrections that must be built in the prescription to achieve the desired results, and 4) the additional features that are required for difficult tooth movements. Most direct-to-consumer aligners as designed by computer algorithms and then approved by “dental professionals.”
They Won’t Have Attachments
In order to achieve the best result for your smile, your aligners will require attachments. These tooth coloured attachments are made of dental composite and applied in our office. Some movements cannot occur without attachments. They are anchorage. Much like brackets with braces, the wire makes the movement with brackets being the anchorage. With aligners, attachments are anchorage and the plastic activates the movements.
They Do Not Have Elastics
Braces and aligners can both be effective at aligning the teeth in a single arch (the uppers or the lowers individually). When improvements are needed in the bite however, we usually prescribe elastics to make adjustments to the way the upper and lower teeth bite together.. For example, if you have a crossbite or “overbite,” you might be given elastics to wear that can improve your bite. Direct-to-consumer aligners are not currently prescribing elastics with their aligners. In fact, they require that customers sign a statement before they begin treatment acknowledging that DTC aligners will not improve their bite.
They Might Not Fit as They Should
To be effective and safe, clear aligners must fit perfectly. If they do not, they will not be able to provide the forces required for moving the teeth. Additionally, if they rub or impinge on the gums, they can cause pain, sores, or even permanent recession. It is possible that any aligner, whether from a mail-order company or otherwise, might not fit as planned. There can be errors made in the impressions or scan, the creation of the digital models, or in the manufacturing of the plastic aligners themselves. If you are being treated by a local practitioner, he or she can easily evaluate the fit for you. If you don’t have local doctor, you won’t have someone in-person to make sure your aligners fit right.
Your Teeth Might Not “Track” as They Should
Even if your aligners fit right on the first day, it is important that the teeth move as designed in your treatment plan. This is a concept known as “tracking.” If the teeth do not follow the plastic, the desired movements won’t take place. Problems with tracking can be caused by poor aligner design, the lack of appropriate attachments, or poor compliance from the patient (not wearing them enough). Our team can easily evaluate tracking and determine what to do if there is a problem. If you get your aligners in the mail, you won’t have a local dental professional to help you.
There is real value in getting your teeth straightened by a local practice. He or she will be able to evaluate the health of your teeth, discuss your goals, present treatment options, design aligners or braces that will achieve your goals, provide in-person procedures not available with DTC aligners (attachments, interproximal reduction, elastics, etc.), make sure your aligners fit and the teeth are tracking, and provide you with long-term retention after you’ve achieved your goals. You only have one smile. Do it right the first time.
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