Getting what you need in an instant is great. Today, you can order and receive almost any item you want with only a few taps on your mobile phone or computer.
It’s extremely convenient, but this method may not be as beneficial and may even be harmful if you’re looking for orthodontic treatments.
You may have heard of direct-to-consumer treatments such as Smile Direct Club’s mail-order aligners.
Before you get tempted to subscribe, let’s first talk about what these offers are, how they work, and if orthodontists recommend them. We’ll also share how a professional dental care team like Orthodontic Smile Studio can improve your smile safely and reassuringly.
What is a mail-order aligner?
Mail-order aligners are aligners you request and receive at your doorstep. The entire process is virtual. You don’t need to see a dentist or orthodontist for an initial assessment. Even in-person monitoring isn’t required after receiving your appliance.
How does a mail-order aligner work?
The company provides you with an impression you use at home. You mail this impression to the company, and a dentist or technician will review it and see if you’re fit for the procedure.
Once approved, your aligners are sent to your address, along with usage instructions. Note, however, that approval is easy.
Your case can be approved even if you require a different orthodontic treatment method. That sounds like great news, but the downside is that this is potentially risky.
If your diagnosis isn’t accurate and your treatment plan doesn’t respond to your specific needs and condition, you could end up with unsatisfactory results or further compromise your oral health.
Instead of saving money, which is an understandable deciding factor, you may incur higher dental costs to fix the problem.
The advantage of seeing an orthodontist vs. using Smile Direct Club
When you see an orthodontist with the goal of improving your oral health or diagnosing a potential problem, the first step is a consultation with the treatment coordinator.
At the Orthodontic Smile Studio, we start with a discussion of your oral health status, medical history, concerns, and treatment goals. You also meet with one of our orthodontists for a thorough examination. Our findings allow us to develop an individualized treatment plan.
Knowing your needs, requirements, and goals eliminates potential risks to your treatment plan. Because recommendations are built around the type of dental work necessary for your case, we don’t rely on photos alone that you send online. We evaluate your mouth and the structures related to it and take a look at diagnostic tools such as X-rays.
Mail-order aligners work differently. It’s so easy to miss symptoms or potential problems if you only view some photos and skip in-person assessments. Some treatment methods require restoring good oral health first before proceeding.
If done otherwise, this could be harmful not only to your mouth but to your general health as well. This is why dental professionals don’t recommend Smile Direct Club and remind individuals to always study their options with caution.
Mapping your individualized orthodontic treatment plan
Clear aligners are effective treatment tools for specific orthodontic conditions. Not everyone is a suitable candidate. Severe bite or tooth alignment issues may be properly corrected by another option, such as traditional braces.
Your lifestyle, needs, preferences, and goals become the foundation of your personal treatment plan. These factors, along with your oral health condition and medical history, enable us to accurately pinpoint the cause of the problem and identify the right solution.
Monitoring the progress of your treatment
Every treatment plan involves regular checkups to see how you’re responding to and coping with the process.
We check to see what you think or feel about your treatments and make adjustments where necessary. It’s crucial to monitor the movement of your teeth and check if everything is going according to plan.
You don’t get this with Smile Direct Club or mail-order aligners. Your orthodontic experience is based on what you do on your own.
You don’t have a team of dental professionals you can reach out to if you have immediate concerns. These seemingly small issues can lead to bigger problems when not promptly addressed.
Comparing the costs involved: What really is the smarter investment
You’re probably considering mail-order aligners because they’re cheaper. But the initial savings may prove not to be worth it in the long run.
Seeing the changes you want in your smile can take time. But with the supervision of a trained and experienced orthodontist, you can be confident that all the effort (and waiting) that you put in will yield excellent results.
When the costs and duration of treatment for mail-order aligners and personalized treatments with an orthodontist are compared, the latter is the more affordable and practical option.
At Orthodontic Smile Studio, we’re committed to keeping treatment costs reasonable according to industry standards.
We also offer payment options so you can receive the care you need, whether or not you have insurance. We have a zero-interest monthly payment plan and you can discuss it with our treatment coordinator during your initial consultation.
Working with an orthodontist to improve your smile
While mail-order aligner companies say they have qualified dental professionals on board, in-person checkups with an orthodontist are still paramount to the successful correction of misaligned teeth.
Ensure safe and effective treatments. Work closely with your dental team and receive an individualized, high-quality level of care.
Here in our dental office in Kitchener, ON, we do our best to give you a pleasant experience from your first visit to your last. You’ll only own one set of teeth in this lifetime, be sure to entrust them to a professional dental care team. Ready to learn more about the right orthodontic treatment for you? Connect with us today to book your complimentary consultation. Give your smile the attention it deserves.
Find us in The Boardwalk shopping centre on the second floor of building 235. We’re just across the parking lot from Staples and above Popeyes and Booster Juice.
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