If your teeth are crooked, then you might already be aware of how they can impact you. It’s easy to feel self-conscious about them or have trouble biting comfortably. Clear aligners are a reliable way to get the straighter smile you love. As you look into them, you might’ve seen mail-in versions as an Invisalign alternative in Wilmington. While they promise convenient results, they can be trouble for your grin. Here are four reasons to avoid them.
1.) You Won’t Have Your Consultation
Orthodontic trays are an effective way to get a healthier bite, but they aren’t right for everyone. Mild to moderate misalignments are often good candidates as the movements needed aren’t too intense or complicated. However, severe instances may not benefit from them as there may not be enough space to allow for proper shifting. By getting mail-in aligners, you won’t be able to know for sure that you can get an aligned smile safely.
2.) You’ll Need to Take Your Own Impressions
When you get Invisalign through your trusted dentist, they will use state-of-the-art technology to take digital impressions. A 3D model of your teeth will be made, and your trays will be customized to them, so the fit will be as it should be.
However, with mail-in versions, you are meant to do this part yourself with a putty kit. They can be messy, or they can come out incorrectly. Something can happen to them as you ship them as well, so the aligners can be wrong and move your teeth in unexpected ways.
3.) You Skip Having Progress Checks
Throughout your orthodontic treatment, you will need to have visits every six to eight weeks. Your provider will make sure your smile is moving as it should. Some structures are more stubborn than others, so you can get adjustments to ensure you get the results you want.
You won’t have this benefit with mail-in trays. In fact, many aren’t even seen by a licensed oral healthcare professional. So, you may not notice anything is going awry until your grin is worse than it was.
4.) You Are Left on Your Own
After all is said and done, you might just feel left in the dark. You won’t be seen by your dentist, who watches out for you and your oral health. If there is anything worrying popping up, then it will be harder to find out how to correct it.
While your provider will be here for you regardless, it will be more tricky for them to find out what the next steps need to be done. Instead, simply stick to the real deal and get Invisalign; that way, you know you can get the results you want without any guesswork.
About the Author
Dr. Britta Lundgren earned her dental degree from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. She has since taken advanced training in treatments like Invisalign. By staying at your side throughout the process, you can feel confident that Dr. Lundgren is here to make the entire process smoother. If you want to learn if clear aligners are right for you, schedule an appointment or call her office at (910) 777-5023.