It always feels good to do something yourself, but certain tasks are best left to professionals. That’s certainly the case with dentistry. You wouldn’t perform your own root canals, or install your own dental implants, would you? For the same reasons, you shouldn’t try to straighten your own teeth.
DIY clear aligners have surged in popularity recently, claiming to offer the convenience of Invisalign without needing to make the trip to the dentist. However, there are real benefits to having a professional work with you in person. Here are some reasons to favor Invisalign over DIY aligners.
What’s the Difference?
Both Invisalign and DIY aligners work by the same principle: clear plastic trays fit snugly over your teeth, pushing them into a new position. The primary difference is that DIY aligners don’t require a trip to the dentist’s office (in theory, at least). You’ll take your own impressions of your mouth, send them off, and have your aligners mailed to you. You’ll then remain in correspondence with a dentist virtually.
While you’ll be able to speak with a licensed professional, they won’t be able to see you in person. This limits what DIY aligners are capable of in several ways. Here are a few examples.
Can Treat Fewer Issues
Invisalign trays are deceptively simple. An experienced professional can use them to fix a wide array of problems, including over- and underbites. However, pulling that off requires tools that aren’t made available to DIY aligner customers.
Time Saved Is Negligible
The most obvious appeal of a DIY aligner is its convenience. You don’t have to make appointments with your dentist, take off of work, or drive to their office. However, you do have to meet with a virtual dentist, which can still be time-consuming. It’s also worth noting that a virtual dentist won’t be able to catch alignment problems as quickly as someone who’s seeing you in person. That means DIY aligners can take longer than Invisalign in terms of the number of visits you need.
Have to Find Your Own Problems
When you go to your regularly scheduled Invisalign appointment, your dentist will know exactly what problems to look for. They’ll be able to catch on to common issues you might not be aware even exist. DIY aligners rely on you to discover these problems and to alert your virtual dentist. Moreover, you have to try and communicate what the issue might be in words and pictures, which can be hard for the layperson to do.
DIY aligners are structurally similar to Invisalign braces and can, in theory, produce comparable results. But having a professional who can meet with you face-to-face, examine your aligner, and make actual adjustments to your teeth is indispensable. If you want straight teeth, talk to a professional—you’ll be glad you did.
About the Practice
Solomon Dental Group believes that going to the dentist doesn’t have to be an unpleasant chore—it can be a retreat from the most hectic parts of life. Straightening out your smile is a journey to reach your best self, and we want to be there every step of the way. Our dental team has years of experience, and we are happy to work with patients of all ages. If you have any questions about Invisalign treatment, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (281) 367-4007.