Considering an At-Home Teeth Straightening Kit? 3 Reasons to Go to an Orthodontist Instead
The best at-home aligner kits can’t match the value of visiting an orthodontist’s office. Although at-home teeth straightening may seem convenient and cost-effective, it’s rarely as easy as it appears on TV. Without professional assistance, A DIY braces kit can even cause permanent damage to your teeth if you don’t fully understand and follow the instructions.
Leading toothpaste brand Colgate explains, “At-home braces allow patients to diagnose their own case, take their own impressions and supervise the progress of their own treatment. This entire process is fraught with problems and is potentially extremely harmful.”
Colgate adds that both the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) warn against using at-home braces. Meanwhile, a board-certified orthodontist like Dr. Patrick T. Cuozzo and the team at Cuozzo Orthodontics in New Jersey can provide the safe and effective solution that patients seek in teeth straightening. Here are the three key benefits of seeing an orthodontist in person:
1. Education
It takes a long time and a lot of schooling—a decade or more in total—to become an orthodontist. Not only must an aspiring orthodontist complete dental school; they will also then go through several more years of full-time university education and an accredited residency focused specifically on orthodontics. At-home teeth straightening kits take all that professional knowledge and training out of the picture, placing the weight on the consumer. Even if you do your DIY kit perfectly, you don’t know what’s really going on with your teeth and might not see the visible change you’re expecting.
2. Experience
Between the number of patients an orthodontist sees daily and an at-home kit being your first time trying your hand at teeth straightening, the gap in experience is massive. Just like a mechanic diagnoses an issue with your car in minutes, an orthodontist can tell you right away whether aligners or braces will be right for you. Oftentimes, people using at-home aligners don’t realize they may need full braces to effectively and safely treat their cases. Visiting an experienced orthodontist also makes a big difference if you have any concerns before or issues during treatment. Instead of Googling and worrying, you can simply ask your friendly local professional.
3. Expertise
At-home aligner kits are made for the masses, not for your unique needs. When you visit an orthodontist’s office, you’ll receive personalized care and customized treatment. For example, clear ceramic braces are a great choice for adults who need the tried-and-true effectiveness of braces but prefer a more discreet appearance resembling natural tooth color. Or, if you are a candidate for aligners, an orthodontist can help you get set up for the one-and-only Invisalign®. With Invisalign®, you receive a new set of customized, nearly invisible aligners each week. Each set is slightly different than the last to move your teeth gently, and you see your orthodontist regularly throughout treatment to monitor the process.
When it comes to care and comfort, there is no comparison between Invisalign® vs. at-home aligners. If you settle for at-home aligners, you’ll never know whether you qualify for the original and perhaps the most popular adult teeth straightening system.
Redefining Convenience
Is taking on an intricate orthodontic treatment at home, by yourself, really as convenient as it sounds? A lot can go wrong, and your personal health is at stake. Consulting a professional who has the education, experience and expertise to truly help straighten your teeth becomes the more convenient option for safety, peace of mind, and results. Learn more about orthodontic treatment options for adults far beyond what you get out of the box with at-home aligners.
