The risks of self-applied braces and clear aligners

In recent times, DIY orthodontic companies have gone through periods of success, controversy, and difficulty. The stories of customers ruining and damaging their teeth after using self-applied orthodontic products have caused organizations such as the American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists to make complaints against companies like SmileDirectClub. States such as California have even passed legislation to regulate these industries more heavily. In light of all this formal opposition against the field of self-applied orthodontics, why is using these products so dangerous in the first place?

The most basic answer is that moving or aligning your teeth on your own without any help or supervision from a trained professional can cause irreversible damage if you don’t know how to do it right. Most patients of these types of products were promised that their cases will be overseen by the professional orthodontist or dentist. But, when a problem arose they had no way of getting in touch with the orthodontist overseeing the case, and they were left high and dry.  Professional orthodontists have the knowledge to know if your teeth are healthy enough to be moved, along with how to move them the right way. Without this knowledge, you risk causing a number of painful problems.

You might incorrectly rotate your teeth, resulting in an uneven smile. You might damage your gums, which could result in tooth loss and infection. You could also damage your jaw joints and develop migraines as a result of a crossbite.

Even if it costs more and is more of a hassle, it’s better to get traditional braces or invisible aligners from trained professionals who have your teeth’s best interests in mind. A certified orthodontist, or even better yet, a board-certified (Diplomat) orthodontist will know the best as to exactly what to do with our teeth so you can get the smile you’ve always wanted, that will last you for a very long time.