What Are the Differences Between Getting Your Invisalign With a Dentist vs a DIY Online Provider?

Hi, my name is Dr Alice, cosmetic dentist at Delight Dental Spa at Mascot, Sydney.

Earlier, I was speaking to one of my new patients, Simon from Banksmeadow, during his smile makeover consultation. He mentioned seeing on Instagram the DIY clear aligners. He asked me, what’s the difference between getting an Invisalign treatment with a dentist, compared to ordering the clear aligner kit online? Especially considering the price difference?”

Interesting question! Especially when we have fixed so many cases where patients started with these DIY ortho treatments, and they didn’t turn out as expected. So I thought I’d make a video to share with you my thoughts on this.

Let’s start with the importance of a proper diagnosis. How can you fix a problem if you don’t know what you’re dealing with, right? Aligning teeth is more complex than you might imagine. Your smile isn’t just about your teeth, it’s a composite of your facial proportions, jaw positions, and even how much your lips extend upwards and outwards. All these factors are considered by the dentist to help the treatment planning of your case. So, it’s never just about what’s seen on the surface.

Next, let’s consider the supervision and troubleshooting aspects of the treatment process. A thorough diagnosis often covers a more accurate, detailed treatment plan. It helps us predict and address potential problems along the way. Now, wouldn’t you feel better knowing that a professional is regularly checking your progress and offering guidance as needed?

And here’s a key point to think about: the limitations of DIY aligners. While they are marketed for mild to moderate crowding, I believe they fall short when it comes to fixing bite issues, which often go hand in hand with alignment issues.

Moving on, we have to touch on safety. It’s paramount to ensure the health of your teeth before starting aligner treatment. If there’s active gum disease or decay, those must be sorted out first. Otherwise, you could risk severe gum recession if the teeth are pushed out of the bone due to inadequate preliminary assessment.

Straightening teeth isn’t just about aesthetics. There’s a whole host of measurements and evaluations needed during diagnosis to prevent potential problems. Let’s also consider the importance of regular monitoring throughout the treatment. Early detection can nip potential issues in the bud before they snowball into bigger problems.

As for treatment tools, items like attachments and elastics are essential to achieving precise tooth movements. For instance, elastics can be a game changer if you’re dealing with an overbite or underbite. These tools simply aren’t part of the DIY aligner equation. And sometimes, we need to undertake pre-aligner treatments, such maxillary expansion or even tooth removal in rare situations, to make sure it’s safe and effective alignment. This helps avoid pushing teeth out of the bone and subsequent gum recession due to insufficient space.

Finally, let’s talk about costs. Sure, you’re paying for professional care, but remember, this also means having someone who can troubleshoot if an issue arises. This peace of mind is, without a doubt, worth more than the money you could potential “save”.

I hope this gives you a better insight into the differences between getting your clear aligners from a dentist vs a DIY online provider.

If you are looking at straightening your teeth, we would love to help.

Here at Delight Dental Spa, we are one of the few Diamond Invisalign Providers in NSW, so you know you are in experienced hands.

Simply complete the enquiry form on our website, give us a call on (02) 9100 0120, or send us a DM via social media, and we can organise a smile consultation for you. See you in the next video.

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