Meta: Many people think that getting braces by mail is a better alternative to Invisalign®, but here’s why braces by mail is a dangerous idea.
We live in a ‘Prime’ kind of world, where we get a lot of packages, and we expect them pretty quickly. In fact, I’m sure more than a few of us have been dissuaded from an online purchase because it charged too much for shipping or had a slow shipping speed. But when it comes to healthcare, this kind of mindset can be dangerous.
Such is the case with by-mail braces.
If you haven’t heard of this product, it’s like the original, Invisalign®, but it’s less expensive, and works directly with the consumer- no dentist middleman. But while this sounds like a good idea to some, it can be very dangerous, and very bad for your teeth. Here’s why.
Things Can Go Wrong
As with anything in life, things can go wrong. Even the most skilled dentist or orthodontist can make a mistake when it comes to adjusting your aligners, however when you visit your dentist regularly for new aligners, those mistakes can be caught quickly and easily and corrected just as quickly and easily before any harm can be done to your smile.
When you get aligners by mail, that may not happen. As a patient you may not realize there is even a problem until it’s too late. By then you may not have just a worsened bite, you could have damaged teeth or injured or infected gums!
They Could Use Inferior Materials
Wondering why those treatments cost less than some in-office treatments? It’s not just because they’ve eliminated the professional. It’s also because many of these by-mail aligner companies use inferior materials to Invisalign®, so you’re putting your teeth at risk whenever you use them.
There’s No Support
Say something does go wrong with your treatment? As the old movie line goes, “Who you gonna call?” If you have no middleman, you will likely need to call your regular dentist who is not aware of your treatment plan and who will have to familiarize themself with your treatment on the fly. This will cost you in the wallet, and if too much time has passed, could cost you in the teeth, too!
They Could Keep You Hooked
Finally, because you are paying monthly, you have no idea if the service you are using is unscrupulous and will keep you on a treatment plan longer than you need to be, simply to keep charging you a monthly fee. With Invisalign®, you get a quote up front for the entire treatment plan, no matter how long it takes.
For these reasons, we recommend you skip the by mail braces trend and speak to Dr. Abelar today about your Invisalign® options! To schedule an appointment, please contact the office today!
