With the rise of mail-order retainers many people are considering them primarily because of convenience and its price point, but are they worth it? Dr. Updike, an Irvine orthodontist, discusses five main factors to consider when choosing an orthodontic treatment that’s best for you.
- A Thorough Evaluation
Many mail-order retainer companies typically ask potential patients to complete a survey and teeth mold kit at home and provides a treatment plan once they receive the materials back. However, by doing this, the patient is not receiving a thorough evaluation of their teeth, gums, and bite. It is difficult to evaluate any patient’s teeth via images and a mold. Many times, the companies will ask the patient to sign a waiver that states they are not responsible for the aftermath of the patient’s bite and overall oral health.
- A Local Orthodontist
Another factor to consider is that the patient will not have access to an in-person orthodontist. This is a very important aspect in the consultation stage, during and after treatment. Although many of these companies claim to have a doctor available remotely, we believe they can only provide so much information and advice over the computer.
- Providing the Best Treatment Option
The goal of many of these mail-order retainer companies is to provide straight teeth. While that is also one of the goals of an in-person orthodontist, there are many other factors as well like bite alignment. For many patients, aligners or retainers are not the best solution, and could cause more damage to the teeth and gums in the future. Discussing all your treatment options with an orthodontist is the best decision to make. Afterall, the orthodontist will be able to examine your x-rays, gum health, teeth history, and any other factors.
- In-Person Support
When a patient decides to opt for mail-order retainers, there is minimal professional supervision. Often times an orthodontist could identify and prevent new problems from occurring with monthly visits. Also if a patient is having more soreness or discomfort than usual, they are able to give their orthodontist a call and schedule an in-person appointment instead of a customer service number.
- Result Retention
After a patient has completed their orthodontic treatment, it is a lifelong commitment to maintain the teeth from shifting again. While many of the mail-order retainers send a final retainer for the patient to wear, there are times when the teeth shift regardless if the patient wears it consistently. With an in-person orthodontist, they will be able to provide new fitted retainers while mail-order retainers may not.
Overall, we believe opting for a trained orthodontist is the best investment in the long run instead of a quick and easy fix from mail-order retainers. If you have any additional questions or would like to schedule your free consultation with Dr. Updike, please contact (949) 870 – 9713 and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you. Please note we are taking extra precautions to keep our staff and patients safe.