Why You Shouldn’t Use DIY Dental Aligners

Orthodontics is a highly specialized type of dental treatment. It’s estimated that about half the population needs orthodontic care, but when people can’t afford that care they might be tempted to try other methods to straighten their teeth. There is a lot of DIY orthodontic ideas floating around on social media and other sites that are encouraging people to take matters into their own hands and attempt DIY treatments in the form of tooth straightening hacks or at-home kits. Using off-the-shelf aligners or trying to create an aligner won’t provide safe effective results. According to the orthodontic experts at Invisalign, their SmartTrack material has 75% better tooth movement predictability than other brands or homemade options. Let’s look at a few reasons why you should never try DIY aligners.

Poor Control of Tooth Movement

The number one reason why you should stick with Invisalign aligners is that other methods simply don’t provide consistent, predictable tooth movement. The success rate of the aligner is based on years of research and testing that went into the product. A DIY hack will not have this reassurance. There is no way to predict how the teeth will move or how long treatment might take. Without tooth movement predictability, you might even wind up with loose teeth that need dental intervention.

Elastic Band Risks

A few DIY teeth straightening hacks even include the use of elastic bands. Without the oversight of an orthodontist, though, these bands can actually pose a risk to your oral health. Bands can slip under the gums. This can cause damage to your gums and infections. This can put your gums and teeth at risk. Some elastic bands are also toxic. The types of bands for orthodontic care are specially designed for that purpose. You should never use other types of elastic bands in your mouth.

Tooth Damage

When you use products that are not labeled Invisalign aligners, or you attempt DIY tooth straightening, you run the risk of permanently damaging your teeth. The repair to fix your teeth could wind up costing you thousands of dollars. If the motive was to save money in the first place, you can easily see how this is not achieved.

If you are in need of orthodontic care or Invisalign aligners, please contact us today. In the past, orthodontic treatment has been expensive and inconvenient — that’s nothing to smile about. At Imagine Braces, we are changing that! Our Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Security and Fountain orthodontists offer braces that cost up to 60% less than the other guys. Plus, you’ll see results in 12 months or less. Guaranteed!