If you’ve been thinking about fixing gaps or misalignment in your smile, you may have thought it would be worth it to opt for cheaper solutions like do-it-yourself clear aligners. They claim by creating the aligners yourself, you skip the need for visiting an orthodontist in-person altogether and pay less on average. At the end of the day, there are many reasons to work with the professionals when it comes to straightening your smile. Here are four to keep in mind ahead of your consultation.
Costs are More Similar Than You Think
While DIY clear aligner companies may claim you’ll pay less for orthodontic care compared to Invisalign, the fact is there rates are generally lower because they make the assumption that you won’t need additional trays to complete treatment.
For example, while they may say your treatment will only cost a few thousand dollars to complete (for reference, Invisalign is about $5,000 on average), they don’t mention that if you need more trays (either due to poor compliance or damage/loss of aligners), you’ll need to pay more. Keep in mind you’re also not able to see an orthodontist in-person, making Invisalign a better value when you’re able to maintain a more personalized experience and reduce the risk of hiccups in your treatment.
In-Person Visits are Easy and Provide Better Value
Even if you may be able to save some time on your orthodontic experience by cutting out in-person checkups, completing follow-up Invisalign visits is a lot easier than DIY clear aligner companies make it seem. It’s relatively straightforward to fit orthodontic visits with Invisalign in with your routine errands, especially compared to what’s necessary when wearing traditional metal braces. Plus, DIY clear aligner companies still require remote checkups, so you’ll still need to set aside time for them every so often. The biggest difference, however, is you’ll get a far more thorough evaluation when you go in-person for the dentist to examine your smile compared to remote checkups.
Professional Supervision is Vital
You won’t get any in-office supervision if you choose DIY clear aligners, which means you’ll need to provide photos at your remote checkups with a dental professional. In the event problems or complications appear, you’ll need to be the one to recognize them on your own. This is less than ideal as once you notice them, they may already be too late to fix.
Through in-office appointments, you can get greater peace of mind that your realignment is being highly scrutinized in the event adjustments need to be made.
Better Credibility and Experience
Invisalign has been helping patients straighten smiles for well over 20 years and is approved by major professional dental organizations. This cannot be said for DIY clear aligner companies. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists has issued warnings to consumers about all direct-to-consumer orthodontic treatments.
Schedule an appointment with a dentist today to learn how Invisalign can help you achieve your dream smile!
About the Author
Dr. Soltani is a highly trained dentist with over 15 years of experience under her belt and a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Since earning her dental degree, she’s gone on to complete courses in many dental services, including Invisalign and orthodontics. To schedule an appointment and learn if Invisalign is right for you, please contact her through her website.
