At Windermere Orthodontics, we are proud to serve as a professional and comprehensive resource for orthodontic treatment in Suwanee and Cumming. While we provide orthodontic treatment to our patients, we are also here to help our patients gain factual knowledge for their general oral health too. Today, we are discussing a current trend in orthodontic health known as “DIY Orthodontics.”

Information technology has come a long way for orthodontics. Now you can see videos, articles and even mail-order businesses all over the internet, such as Smile Direct Club. Smile Direct Club is promoting how you can straighten your teeth without seeing a certified orthodontist. They are saying that this is the faster, cheaper and easier way to straighten teeth or to close gaps between teeth. However, what they are leaving out, is that this method can put your oral health in danger.

The  American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) has cautioned people against DIY Orthodontics. They have warned that moving teeth is a medical procedure and needs personal supervision by an orthodontist. Consider this.. what other transforming medical treatment would you undergo without supervision?

DIY orthodontics can lead to lifelong and expensive oral problems. A cheap and easy short-cut may seem like a good idea, but it’s important to do your research. If you need orthodontic services, we highly recommend you speak directly to an Orthodontist. The AAO also issued a list of questions that you can use when you’re looking for orthodontic treatment from direct-to-consumer companies.  Once you read the questions you should be asking , you will realize that seeing an  orthodontist for your orthodontic needs is the best option.   Remember that orthodontic treatment is not simply a product, but a service supervised by certified orthodontists.

Contact us at Windermere Orthodontics in Suwanee and Cumming if you have questions about the dangers of DIY Orthodontics.

-Dr. Gorlovsky