Tooth Alignment: Advantages of an Orthodontist vs. DIY Kits

Clear aligners make up a global market with an estimated worth of $3.1 billion. They’re oral appliances designed to correct bad bites and improper tooth alignment. Orthodontists use them in some patients, but consumers can also get them directly as DIY Kits.

If that’s the case, then are orthodontists necessary at all? Is it even okay for you to use DIY teeth straighteners?

This guide comparing orthodontists vs. DIY kits answers those questions, so keep reading.

Orthodontists Are Dental Specialists

The American Dental Association recognizes only 12 dentistry specializations. Orthodontics is one of them.

Dental specializations require continued education after completing four years of dental school. The additional necessary residency and program for orthodontics take two to three years. That means orthodontists have studied for at least six or seven years.

Orthodontics, after all, deals with the complex anatomy of the mouth, jaw, and even the face. If something goes wrong with one, the complication can spread to the others.

So by using DIY teeth straightening kit, you run the risk of developing complications. Whereas an orthodontist ensures you receive care from a highly-educated and trained specialist.

Lower Risks of Side Effects

Orthodontic appliances can cause discomfort or pain as they straighten teeth. Those side effects often result from them applying pressure on the teeth. It’s that pressure that moves the teeth to better positions.

An orthodontist then monitors how your teeth move to ensure they’re not doing it too slow or too fast. If you experience side effects, the specialist can determine the cause ASAP. You can then expect to get immediate, personalized care for your symptoms.

If you opt for a DIY tooth straightening kit, you can’t get that kind of care. Moreover, adverse effects associated with in-home teeth straighteners aren’t uncommon.

In a 2020 survey of 470 patients who used DIY teeth straighteners, 3% experienced severe pain. More than one in four also developed irritation, and 2.2% said they contracted gum disease. Tooth decay or loss even occurred in 1.9%!

As a result, 6.6% of the patients had to see an orthodontist or family dentist anyway.

You can avoid or minimize the risks of severe side effects by going straight to an orthodontist.

DIY Kits May Cause Bite Misalignment

Straight teeth aren’t only for show: they also enable clear speech and are easier to clean. Having clean pearly whites, in turn, can lower your risks for dental decay, tooth loss, and gum disease. Those are just some of the many benefits of proper teeth alignment, so check out this guide for more info on them.

Unfortunately, the same study above found that some DIY kits caused an abnormal bite.

You don’t want a misaligned bite, as it can lead to faster teeth wear and tear. Moreover, it can give rise to facial muscle pain, jaw aches, and jaw disorders. Some patients with compromised jaws even experience headaches and neck pain.

Those problems can cost you more, not only in additional treatment but also in your work or school. For example, your pain might become so unbearable that you have to stay at home and thus, miss work or school.

While not all at-home teeth straighteners cause such problems, they still carry risks. So, rather than jeopardizing your health, job, or education, see an orthodontist instead.

Go With Professional Tooth Alignment

DIY teeth straighteners promise corrective tooth alignment, and in many instances, they do. However, they still pose risks, so it’s best to see a professional orthodontist. That way, you can get specialized, professional care on top of having straight teeth.

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