We love DIY! From organising garages and closets to building vegetable and herb gardens, DIY is a fantastic way to empower yourself with new skills, keep your mind and body busy, and save a few dollars. But there are certain areas where doing it yourself is problematic – and one of those things is DIY orthodontics. Here’s why, so you can make your mind up for yourself.
#1 – Your Mouth is Unique, Off-the-Shelf Solutions are Not
Universal tools and fittings are a wonderful thing, standardising solutions so that they’re more affordable and easier to manufacture. But they only work when you’re dealing with projects where standardisation is common – and even then, you usually need to make modifications and adjustments to get it right.
The thing is, your teeth, mouth, and bite are totally unique – no two patients are the same. Every patient gets a customised treatment plan to take this into account, varying by treatment type, process, and time.
Off-the-shelf solutions that haven’t been designed by a specialist with your needs in mind may work alright for one person, but not others. They may even hurt your mouth or make your oral health condition worse, and you could end up at the orthodontist anyway for more costly treatment as a result.
#2 – Problems with Product Legitimacy
In the last year or so, everyone’s heard more than enough about fake news, but it’s important to understand that this doesn’t just apply to news items. The reality is that anyone can post anything up on the internet, often without repercussions. It is very difficult to tell if a product is legitimate or not, the quality and safety of the materials it’s made of, or if the product even exists at all.
Using DIY products, even if you’ve done some research, can put you at risk of damaging your health and your mouth, or even becoming a victim of fraud. Orthodontists, on the other hand, work using products like aligners and braces that have passed rigorous regulatory testing for health and safety as well as effectiveness.
#3 – Results, Results, Results
Orthodontists are specialist dentists who have worked for many years to qualify in this particular area of dentistry, and along with the high-quality products they use, it’s this specialist training and experience you’re really paying for. Effective orthodontic treatment is very intensive and delicate, slowly and gently shifting teeth to not only improve your smile, but give you the best functionality for speech and bite, and reducing unnecessary wear on your teeth.
DIY solutionsare unlikely to deliver these results as effectively as seeing an orthodontist – and while we do our best to keep treatment affordable, it’s important to remember that there’s a lot of value for money in this process. You’ll have in-person consultations every month or two and braces or aligner sets that are customised and expertly made to achieve the best results. Check-ups will ensure your progress is on track, make adjustments as they are needed, and ensure that your teeth are healthy and strong as you go through your treatment. We’re also always available to give you advice, assist if you are having any problems, and generally help you care for your smile.
You only have one mouth, and one set of teeth. With our orthodontic team in Dandenong and Frankston, you know it’s in good hands. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment.