The Hidden Risks of DIY Orthodontics

The marketing for mail-order aligners is seductive. “Straighten your teeth at home for half the price.”

If orthodontics were merely cosmetic—like whitening or veneers—this model might work. But orthodontics is a medical procedure. We are dissolving bone and remodeling tissue. Moving teeth without seeing the roots is like building a house without a blueprint of the foundation.

The Missing Link: Diagnosis

The biggest difference between DIY clubs and a Board Certified Orthodontist isn’t the plastic; it’s the Diagnosis.

When you visit our Irvine office, we take 3D X-Rays (CBCT) to see what lies beneath. We are looking for:

• Root Length: Do you have short roots? Moving them too fast could cause them to dissolve (resorption), leading to tooth loss.
• Bone Levels: Do you have underlying gum disease? Moving teeth into infected bone can accelerate the disease.
• Impacted Teeth: Are there teeth hidden in the jaw that might block movement?

Mail-order companies typically rely on smartphone photos or simple impressions. They cannot see the roots. They are flying blind.

The “Product” vs. The “Prescription”

DIY aligners are a Product. You get a sequence of trays based on an algorithm. If the tray doesn’t fit, or if a tooth doesn’t move, there is no doctor to intervene. You are often stuck with a “good enough” result that may leave your bite unstable.

Invisalign (in our hands) is a Prescription.

• We use Attachments (composite bumps) to grip difficult teeth. DIY aligners cannot use attachments.
• We use IPR (polishing between teeth) to create space to resolve crowding. DIY aligners cannot do this, often resulting in teeth being pushed “out” of the bone to make room.

The Verdict

You have one set of teeth. Saving money is important, but not at the cost of your long-term oral health. If you have a very minor relapse and healthy bone, DIY might work. But for anything else, you need a pilot in the cockpit.