Are your teeth crooked? You might not like how they affect your smile and bite, but there are reliable ways you can correct them. As you look online at your options, you may run into mail-in clear aligners as an Invisalign alternative in Denison. They promise effective results with the convenience of not leaving home. That said, they can actually be dangerous to your oral health. Here are three reasons why you should avoid them.
You Don’t Get a Consultation
While orthodontic trays are a solution to misalignment and malocclusion, they are often suited for mild to moderate cases. More severe issues may require you to explore other options, like braces, to give you the results you want.
Thankfully, a dentist can ensure you are able to get the straighter smile you want with an Invisalign consultation. You won’t have this with mail-in clear aligners, so you might spend money and invest time in something that may disappoint you in the end.
You Take Your Own Impressions
The trays you wear during this type of orthodontics need to fit in very specific ways. They’ll have to apply pressure in the correct spots to ensure movement is predictable and smooth. The digital impressions taken for Invisalign are accurate and easy to get, so you can feel confident knowing they’ll work as they are meant to.
That said, mail-in aligners don’t use this state-of-the-art technology. You’ll instead have to use a putty kit yourself. It can be tough to use and increases your risk of producing an inaccurate mold. This can then cause unexpected shifting and lead to your smile ending up in worse shape than before.
There Often Aren’t Progress Checks
Building off the point above, mail-in aligner treatments aren’t often monitored by a licensed dental professional. If your teeth are moving in ways they shouldn’t, then you may not notice until it’s too late. You’ll then have to spend more time and money getting it fixed.
On the flip side, your dentist will stay at your side throughout your time with Invisalign. You’ll have progress checks every six to eight weeks to ensure everything is going as planned. If anything is worrying, it will get settled before it becomes a bigger headache.
Although you might’ve been interested in mail-in aligners, remember the three points above. It’s often better for your oral health and results to stick to the real deal, so you can trust you get the straighter smile you’ve been dreaming of.
About the Author
Dr. Ryan Bygness earned his dental degree from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. He has since earned his orthodontic certificate from the American Orthodontic Society. He is proud to offer effective treatments, like Invisalign, to give you the reliable results you deserve to have. If you are interested in this service, schedule an appointment or call his office at 712-263-3252.