If your smile is misaligned, then it may be a source of self-consciousness for you. You might have trouble showing it off confidently or biting comfortably, but there are ways you can get it fixed. Orthodontics is a great option for many, and you might be doing research about it. As you peruse, you might’ve seen mail-in aligners as a convenient Invisalign alternative in Fairfax. However, they can be trouble for your oral health if you aren’t careful. Here are four reasons they can be more harmful than you think.
1.) Skip Having a Consultation
When going to your dentist for these trays, they will first do a consultation. This visit will ensure you can get the results you want, as severe misalignment issues may not be able to be corrected with Invisalign. By making sure you’re a good candidate, you can feel confident knowing you will get the results you want.
Since you will skip this visit with mail-in aligners, your unique case won’t get looked at by a professional. There may not be enough room for movement, so you may just cause more problems in the end.
2.) Take Your Own Dental Impressions
Invisalign is made from precise models of your teeth, and your provider has access to state-of-the-art technology that allows them to take a scan of your smile. That way, the trays you get fit as they should and work effectively. When you go for mail-in alternatives, you will be given a putty kit. This can be messy to do, but it’s possible they come out wrong. Wearing aligners that don’t fit correctly can lead to more issues later on.
3.) Won’t Get Routine Progress Checks
Going off the point above, your dentist will want to track your progress with routine visits every six to eight weeks. They will make sure your teeth are moving as expected because some structures are more stubborn than others. If anything is worrying, you can get it sorted out right away. You won’t be able to get this with mail-in aligners. If something is going awry, then you may not notice until your smile is in worse shape than before.
4.) Feel Like You’re on Your Own
At the end of the day, you may just feel like you’re in the dark. You won’t have a professional in your corner who knows you or your unique case, so you’ll be left doing your own research or guessing. Instead, stick to the real deal with Invisalign. That way, you skip the guesswork and have a trusted provider you can turn to if you need help.
About the Author
Dr. Malcolm Murray earned his dental degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University-Medical College of Virginia. He is certified in orthodontics, such as Invisalign, among others. By having a consultation, Dr. Murray can work with you to get you to the straighter smile you love, whether that’s with clear aligners or another option. If you want to find out your next steps to a healthier bite, schedule an appointment or call his office at (703) 934-5540.
