It used to be that whenever an individual had a dental problem, the immediate response was to visit a dentist or orthodontist to assist in correction of the issue. However, today, certain companies have developed basic and unsupervised methods of “straightening teeth” that should be considered questionable at best and dangerous at worst.
A good example is the Sharper Image, which is a company that sells consumer electronics and practical gift ideas. A common brand in the American retail scene, Sharper Image has extended its own reach on what it offers, and one of those things is tooth movement! It might strike you as odd that you can buy your fancy multi-feature alarm clock and remote control helicopter from the same place that you can now buy a product that is designed to move teeth.
Sharper Image recently introduced its At-Home Teeth Straightening Invisible Aligner System that uses custom-made plastic aligners to gradually align teeth in what is advertised as “a few months’ time.” The kit includes a photo assessment, a custom 3-D treatment plan to show eventual progress and your first set of aligners.
The way it works is pretty simple overall, at least according to the company. The interested individual orders the kit and takes their own dental impressions or “molds” at home, mails them in, and a licensed professional that never meets the patient or discusses chief concerns or medical history with the patient, will create a custom plan for the individual.
The real issue here is often cost. Many people think they can save a bit of money cutting corners and doing things themselves. However, it is important to keep in mind orthodontists attend Universities for 10 to 11 years to obtain their training in how to safely, effectively, and optimally move teeth. And, many patients are not candidates for certain types of treatment. How will the general public know who is a candidate for aligner based treatment like Invisalign or traditional braces-based treatment.
This product basically tells people to try it out for an estimated 4-8 months and then see what happens… what if “what happens” is a treatment running off the rails which could promote major side-effects for the user. As professionals we have an obligation to be upfront and honest with our patients with regard to treatment options and how our treatment modalities address chief concerns. The personal relationship that you will develop with your orthodontist through the treatment process is almost as valuable as the treatment they will provide you.
Whether it involves suggesting braces to a patient or simply helping patients to develop better oral hygiene habits, it’s important to look at the big picture and be knowledgeable about what you do and put into your body. Rather than buying braces off a website and hoping for the best, our orthodontists want to explain why such products are needed and how it will benefit you and improve your life.
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. The pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults, including being an Invisalign preferred provider. The ability to treat all special needs patients reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy. Valued hospital affiliations allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John’s Hospital Macomb when needed. Our specialists are also on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
