In the late 1990s, clear plastic dental aligners became popular. They immediately gained popularity as a non-metal alternative to regular braces. Align Technology’s Invisalign was the first (and for a long time, the only) alternative. Over time, more products appeared under various brand names and with various sales approaches.
The effectiveness of dental therapy is a topic of controversy in the dental field. The issue isn’t necessarily that the aligners aren’t good enough—after all, they’re created by Align Technology, the same company that makes Invisalign. Instead of going through a doctor or orthodontist, Dental Clinic Medford aligners are offered directly to the public. This places the patient in charge of their own care, potentially increasing the risk of something going wrong.
Why dentists are skeptical about Smile Direct Club?
The manner in which SmileDirectClub operates is precisely why some dentists and orthodontists are skeptical. The company hires dental professionals to review patient records and progress, but they never meet with the patient in person.
There are two options when it comes to choosing SmileDirectClub for teeth straightening. Patients can sign up with their nearby smile shop. The two methods differ and may have an impact on individual results.
During an appointment, a “SmileGuide” technician uses an intraoral scanner to create a 3D image of the patient’s teeth. There is a network of board-certified dentists and orthodontists in Medford, but they do not work on-site. Instead, they review the images elsewhere and prescribe a series of plastic aligners known as trays. These are created in a lab and mailed directly to the patient so that they can begin their treatment.
Before transferring to the following set of trays, the patient wears each set for around two weeks. These must be worn for 22 hours every day. Aligners that are used for at least 10 hours overnight are available through SmileDirectClub. While this method may be more convenient, it is inevitably more time-consuming.
Why do you need Smile Direct Club?
Specifically, the cost. SmileDirectClub is one of the most affordable teeth straightening options. Braces cost between $2,000 and $6,000, and Invisalign costs between $2,500 and $7,000. The SmileDirectClub costs $1,950 at the time of writing. This price is appealing, especially given that most insurance policies do not cover teeth straightening. They also have a payment plan that includes a $250 down payment and $89 per month for 24 months. This comes to $2,386.
Convenience is also a consideration. Invisalign and braces necessitate frequent dental checkups, which some people find inconvenient.
Thoughts of Dentists
-
Screening for Pre-Straightening
Dentists agree that patients should have a comprehensive evaluation and healthy teeth and gums before initiating any orthodontic treatment. If you have cavities or gum disease and don’t treat them immediately, they could get a lot worse while wearing aligners.
-
Impressions at Home Dental
technicians learn to work with molding materials to make teeth impressions as part of their professional training. They gain the necessary skills and expertise through on-the-job training. Even so, they occasionally make mistakes that necessitate the redoing of the molds.
-
Images from SmileShop
Intraoral scanners are useful instruments for creating 3D representations of the teeth at an Invisalign Clear Aligners Medford SmileShop. Dentists and orthodontists, on the other hand, have access to more sophisticated technology that allows for more precision. Panoramic x-rays, cephalometric x-rays, and Cone Beam CT scanners may be used. These instruments provide useful information regarding the state of not only the teeth but also the surrounding tissue and jaw bone.
-
Professional Qualifications.
Patients who visit SmileShop retail locations do not see dentists or orthodontists. They are given some instruction on how to use the intraoral scanner, but all of the technical work and evaluation are done elsewhere.
Do your part first.
Is SmileDirectClub a viable option? It might be ideal for a lot of folks. Alternatively, a patient may wish they had opted for the assistance of a dentist or orthodontist along the road.
Any dental provider, whether a dentist, orthodontist, or a direct-to-consumer provider like SmileDirectClub, should be well researched. A patient can make an informed decision about what is best for them after weighing the benefits and drawbacks of cost, convenience, and quality of care.
