Sep 15, 2022
What’s the Deal with At-Home Aligners?
In this day and age, the average American leads a busy lifestyle and is usually always on the go. Because of this, we’re always looking for more convenient ways to do things: faster shipping, ready-made meals, and at-home orthodontic care. However, despite the flashy advertising and exciting promises that at-home aligner companies may make, there are some very real drawbacks to DIY orthodontic care. The American Association of Orthodontists found that in 2017, 39% of orthodontists reported having to correct problems caused by at-home aligners. Here’s what you need to know:
- No Professional Consultation: While it may seem easier not to have to go into an office for a consultation, this can actually lead to problems down the road. Without a full consultation, you might not get all the advice you need to know heading into your treatment. You also won’t have any consultations along the way to make sure that your aligners are doing what they should.
- Ill-Fitting Aligners: Not getting the opportunity to try on aligners with a professional can mean that your aligners may not fit your mouth well. While that may not sound so bad, it can mean that your aligners will cause you unnecessary pain, and they probably won’t be affective either.
- Possible Damage: The biggest drawback to at-home aligners is that they can make your orthodontic problems worse than before. Because care is not supervised, teeth can be shifted in problematic ways. There have been several class-action lawsuits over the years against DIY aligner companies that have caused lasting orthodontic damage. In a 2020 article by orthodontic professional Dr. Ricky Harrell, he explains,
“All tooth movement — regardless of the forces applied — subjects the dentition to the possibility of:
- Root resorption
- Periodontal implications, including the hard and soft tissues
- Movement of roots into each other, other anatomical entities that could prove harmful, and out of the alveolar housing
These types of complications can occur even with the best diagnosis, treatment plan, and execution of the treatment plan.” Dr. Harrell explains that unsupervised tooth movement can drastically increase the likelihood of these problems happening.
Overall, there are some very real concerns with the at-home aligner trend, and while saving time may seem worth it, the possible drawbacks are not. Here at GSO, we are proud to offer Invisalign at rates comparable to at-home companies, and your treatment will be overseen by a team of doctors with your best interest at heart. Call 770-749-7292 to schedule your complimentary consultation today!
