5 Issues With Mail-Order Teeth Aligners

Mail-order teeth aligners from companies like SmileDirectClub seem too good to be true, and that’s because they are. Though they claim to deliver results that are on par with dentist-administered orthodontic treatments such as Invisalign, this is not always the case. 

In this blog, the team at the office of James A. Burden And Associates will discuss a few issues that may make you want to reconsider ordering mail-order teeth aligners.

1. You Won’t Be Monitored Or Assessed By A Dentist During Treatment

This is a huge red flag. While companies like SmileDirectClub claim that patients are “assessed” by an orthodontist, your treatment will not be directly monitored or assessed by a dentist or orthodontist during treatment.

Routine visits to a dentist during Invisalign treatment are not just for fun. They’re medically necessary, and allow a dentist like Dr. Burden to track your progress and make sure your teeth are moving properly. You can also get answers to your questions or concerns right away, which is not always possible with mail-order aligners.

2. Your Treatment Can’t Be Changed Or Tailored To Your Needs

Most mail-order aligner companies send you an entire series of more than a dozen aligners at once. Then, you just wear them according to the instructions you receive during the process. Easy, right?

But what if one of your teeth is moving more slowly than the others? What if it moves in an unexpected direction? What if the tray is misaligned and starts ruining your other teeth? You won’t have the help of a dentist to identify these issues or modify your treatment plan to fix them, which can lead to sub-par results.

3. You May Be Rejected If Your Orthodontic Issues Are Too Complex

Mail-order teeth aligners are only suitable for patients with very minor smile and bite issues. If your condition is too complex, you may simply be rejected for treatment immediately, and be unable to utilize these services.

However, clear aligners from a dentist like Dr. Burden are much more flexible, and can be used to treat a wider variety of orthodontic issues compared to mail-order aligners, making in-person treatment a much better choice. 

4. You May Pay More In The End

With mail-order aligners, if your results aren’t exactly what you want, there’s not much you can do about it. 

You can sometimes get a partial refund, but you still may have to pay a dentist to correct the position of your teeth, or to fix other problems like gum recession or even tooth loss.

Sure, you can save some money up front – but in the long run, you may end up paying more money to fix the issues caused by mail-order teeth aligners. 

5. Your Scans Or Impressions May Not Be Accurate 

Usually, your dental impressions or scans for mail-order aligners are not taken by experienced dental professionals. This means that they may not be complete or accurate, which can result in serious complications throughout the smile correction process.

Avoid These Issues – Get Professional Treatment With Invisalign 

Invisalign is the gold standard for smile correction without braces. With professional Invisalign treatment from Dr. James Burden, you can get a perfectly straight smile, avoid the risks associated with mail-order aligners, and get peace of mind throughout the entire smile correction process.

So don’t risk your smile or your oral health by trying mail-order teeth aligners. Contact us online or give us a call at (757) 229-1224 to schedule an orthodontic consultation in Williamsburg today, and take the first steps toward a straighter smile with Invisalign.