How would you like to get a straight smile without the wait and save thousands of dollars in the process, with no visits to a dental office? Orthodontic aligners that come in the mail, like SmileDirectClub, do just that. The convenience certainly can’t be beat, and neither can the price! But remember…you get what you pay for! And sometimes it comes at a cost you didn’t anticipate.
SmileDirectClub is an innovative company that offers an interesting solution for people looking for an alternative way to straighten teeth. While their invisible aligners (similar to Invisalign) are much more cost-effective than traditional treatment methods, removing in-person visits with a licensed dental professional from the entire process naturally introduces some risks. These direct mail aligners can work in many cases, but in some, it does more damage than good.
SmileDirectClub, and similar at-home aligner services, lack professional supervision and eliminate the doctor’s role in treatment. People believe that they can accomplish at home what a trained professional can achieve, but those people don’t have the experience to know when something isn’t going correctly. A common complaint from those who have used this type of treatment is that the teeth appear straight but the bite is “off”…or they can’t bite down at all! And most people don’t relate these problems with trying to move their teeth.
There are many things a dentist cannot assess remotely, without regular check-ups, such as the health of the supporting gum, tissue, and bones. Only a dentist can know whether there’s any pathology or other things that might impact the treatment and how the jaw moves and functions, so he or she is able to ensure the orthodontic treatment is successful…not just in straightening the teeth, but so patients will have a healthy, functional bite–one that gives them the ability to chew food successfully.
You should know that SmileDirectClub is not a doctor run organization; it is owned by Camelot Venture Group (Sharper Image, Lens Express, etc.). Their model is not about patient care, it is about profit. And some say there’s a whole lot of rule breaking going on, like practicing dentistry without a license, making a diagnosis without seeing a patient, etc. Some would even say it is directly putting patients’ health at risk.
The American Dental Association “strongly discourages” the use of these types of mail-order orthodontic aligners, and a pending lawsuit by the American Association of Orthodontists in August 2019 will determine the future of SmileDirectClub’s “DIY” version of treatment…or maybe the novelty will just wear off. If neither happens, you still need to weigh the risks.
Though it seems appealing, at-home aligners are not always effective. While there are certainly patients with minor tooth alignment problems who would be great candidates for this type of care model, a customer service helpline cannot replace a licensed dental professional. You can trade misaligned teeth for more sinister problems, with the bite or the jaw…and that could bite you…in your wallet! Easier doesn’t always equal safer, and sometimes things that cost less on the front end require an unexpected investment in additional treatment!
In addition to general dentistry, Dr. Queen has extensive training in orthodontics. If you are unsure whether invisible aligners are suited to your specific needs, be sure to consult Dr. Queen before committing to a direct mail aligner system. We can determine what’s in your best interest and provide comprehensive, personal care. What do you have to lose? Our initial orthodontic consultation is absolutely free! Call us now at 703-689-2480!