Some online orthodontic companies make their treatment sound so easy. Perhaps you take a selfie and/or an impression of your teeth or get
your teeth scanned. Next, you receive aligners in the mail and after so many months – straight teeth! Right? What else is there to think about?
Before you decide to proceed with a direct-to-consumer orthodontic company, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) believes there
are a number of factors and questions you may want to consider. For example, in some instances direct-to-consumer orthodontic companies do
not involve the in-person evaluation and/or in-person supervision of your orthodontic treatment by an orthodontist. An in-person evaluation and
in-person supervision throughout treatment can be very important, because there is more to creating a healthy, beautiful smile than moving the
visible portions of your teeth.
Orthodontic treatment involves the movement of biological material, which if not done correctly could lead to potentially irreversible and expensive
damage such as tooth and gum loss, changed bites, and other issues.
Consider this question: What other transforming medical treatment would you undergo without an in-person, pre-treatment evaluation or ongoing
in-person supervision from a medical professional?
Click below to download information about this consumer alert.
AAO Consumer Alert DIY 2018 flier-hl
