Mail order orthodontics offer the promise of results combined with the convenience of DIY, “at home” dental treatment.

But does it live up to the hype? And are there any concerns you should have about taking a treatment intended to be carried out by trained dentists or orthodontists and putting it in the hands of unwary consumers?

Clear Aligners: the Future of Orthodontics is Here

Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, offer a discreet, fast, safe and effective alternative to traditional metal braces when prescribed by fully trained dental health professionals with the correct and recognised training. As these clear aligners have grown in popularity, so has the emergence of “at home” aligners services looking to cash in…but this isn’t necessarily a good thing.

Do Mail Order Aligner Services Use Invisalign?

Invisalign is the leader in the clear aligner space, and for good reason. With more than 10 million successful Invisalign treatments to date, Invisalign has proven time and again its ability to deliver superior results, often in less time, more comfortably and discreetly.

But Invisalign ONLY works with licensed dental professionals who treat patients “in-office”, and are therefore not available through mail order services.

Are Mail Order Aligner Services or Invisalign Covered By Insurance?

While insurance often covers a significant portion of Invisalign treatment, the same cannot always be said of mail order services.All Australian private health insurance providers insurance providers require that reimbursed or covered orthodontic treatments be performed in-office by a licensed orthodontist or dental professional.

Lack of Imaging Can Result in Poor Results

Invisalign utilises innovative imaging technology to ensure a perfect fit of your aligners, and a progressive treatment plan with custom-tailored trays that gently move teeth into the optimal position.

By contrast, at-home kits rely simply on self-made moulds and photographs, increasing the potential for error, improper fit, discomfort, and poorer end results.They also do not use x-rays to correctly diagnose the underlying issues or problems. You could end up with serious complications and even loss of teeth.

Inability to Customise and Adjust as Necessary

Every treatment plan is unique and things don’t always go according to plan. One of the major benefits of Invisalign is the ability to make minor adjustments and tweaks along the way to optimise and speed along results.

Mail order orthodontics, however, don’t afford patients the option to do this, nor the type of in-depth follow-ups required to monitor progress.

Do Orthodontists Recommend Mail Order Aligners?

The short answer is no. To date, there have been more than 2,600 complaints filed by patients against “mail-order orthodontic” companies and counting.

This form of treatment is at a major disadvantage as compared to Invisalign treatments offered by trained dental professionals in-office, and should be considered with extreme caution. In some cases, unsupervised orthodontic treatments can result in serious damage or result in furthering issues that require more robust dental intervention to correct.

Call to Set Up Your Invisalign Consultation

At North Shore Smiles, we believe you deserve a smile you’ll love, and we’ll do everything we can to help you make that dream a reality. Have questions? Let us know. Dr Caroline Downing and her team are always happy to help.