Would you ever think of performing your own cardiovascular, dermatologic or surgical treatments by yourself at home? Why then, would it be okay to perform your own orthodontic treatment at home? These days, there are multiple Do-It-Yourself (DIY) companies that advertise to “consumers” the ease of at-home treatment. Like medical treatments, dental or orthodontic procedures should be left to a licensed professional to perform. From the initial examination, to the diagnosis of orthodontic problems, to executing the proper plan of action, the patient and the orthodontist should be involved in the treatment from start to finish.
It may be very tempting when you see a low price for these “products”, but buyer beware, there are many problems that may arise if you choose a DIY company to straighten your teeth.
- The teeth and gums need to be healthy before undergoing orthodontic treatment.
- Irreversible and expensive damage is known to occur if the teeth are moved in an undesirable way.
- There is more to moving teeth than what you see when you smile.
- You need to be monitored the WHOLE TIME you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, not just at the first visit.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), there is a resolution that states that the ADA “believes that supervision by a licensed dentist is necessary for all phase of orthodontic treatment including oral examinations, periodontal examinations, radiographic examinations, study models of scans of the mouth, treatment planning and prescriptions, periodic progress assessments and final assessments with stabilizing measures.”
As a Board Certified Orthodontist, Dr. Ava Kamenshchik has completed MORE than the requirements needed to graduate from an orthodontic residency program. Traditionally, orthodontists complete four year of college education, then go on to four years of dental school. After that, they need to successfully complete a residency program in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. Dr. Ava went above and beyond to obtain her Board Certification status after she graduated from residency.
After so many years of education and experience, orthodontists are the most suitable to diagnose and treat problems of the teeth and jaws, including crooked teeth, gaps between the teeth, overbites, crossbites, underbites, narrow palates and dentofacial deformities.
Thinking about DIY treatment is enticing to any person that is looking for a “quick fix” or the “easy way out”. Patients should consider their treatment goals, while understanding that a specialist in orthodontics focuses on the intricacies of each patient’s needs, instead of a “cookie-cutter” approach.
If you are contemplating DIY treatment, please think again and heed the warnings from the American Dental Association! Dr. Ava offers free consultations for all patients interested in straightening their teeth. Please call 516-253-1016 or visit this link to submit your contact information so we can help you smile!
Sources: American Dental Association & American Association of Orthodontists