Mail-Order Braces: Buyer Beware

Mail-order braces are a controversial dental topic, and Dassani Dentistry weighs in today. Direct-to-consumer orthodontics companies make many appealing promises—no dental visits, aligners delivered to your door, and lower costs. But are the risks worth it? 

Not according to this consumer alert from the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). As of November 2017, the AAO had filed complaints with 36 State Dental Boards, alleging direct-to-consumer orthodontics can not only cause long-term oral health problems for their users but may be illegal. (These claims are pending investigation.)

A licensed doctor is not seen before or during self-managed orthodontic treatment. While direct-to-consumer braces companies base aligner prescriptions on computer-simulated mouth scans as licensed dentists do, teeth movement doesn’t always follow the initial computer assessment—and self-managed orthodontic treatment makes no further adjustments to correct that.  

In short, wearers get what they get—and it may not be what they signed up for. Regular checkups are part of Invisalign® or any other orthodontic treatment so Dassani Dentistry can make adjustments as teeth are moving.

Dentists say moving teeth without thorough examinations of the mouth and gums may lead to permanent tooth loss and damage. Self-managed orthodontics customers have reported ruined bites, teeth that looked more crooked than before, and badly damaged gums from ill-fitting aligners.

Let Dassani Dentistry help you make the most informed decision for your health and schedule a consultation to discuss your orthodontics options with Dassani Dentistry today.

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

About Meghna Dassani, DMD

Dr. Meghna Dassani received her initial dental training from the University of Mumbai, India, where she graduated in 1996 as Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS). After working as an associate for one year, she established her own practice in Mumbai, India. She successfully operated this practice for six years prior to moving to the US. When Dr. Meghna Dassani is not in the office she is at home being a mommy to her 2 beautiful girls and enjoying time relaxing with her husband. Since opening her own practice in 2011 she doesn’t have a lot of free time but when the time allows she enjoys traveling, reading, gardening, cooking, visiting with friends and family and of course SHOPPING with a Starbucks in her hand!