DIY is an acronym for “do it yourself.” We are living in a time where video tutorials, owners manuals, and supplies can be ordered online. With everything at our fingertips, it can be tempting to try to skip the middle man. Why bother going to the orthodontist if you can do everything yourself? This kind of thinking can actually be quite dangerous to your smile. Severe, irreversible damage can be done to your mouth when using DIY orthodontics. If you have smile concerns that you would like to address, talk to your orthodontist instead of trying to take care of the issue(s) on your own.
Constructed at Home
Unfortunately, the internet is filled with inaccurate (and harmful) video lessons on how to straighten your smile with rubberbands, paper clips, or even things made out of a 3D printer. These items are not sterile enough to enter into the unique biome of your mouth. If a paper clip (or whatever material is used) causes a scratch inside your mouth or any type of damage, it can lead to a severe infection, bleeding, soft-tissue damage, or damage to your teeth. Not only can these types of items cause potentially dangerous risks, but they are just not effective. Mapping out where your teeth should be aligned and how to get them there is an important part of the process; a part that would probably be left out of an at-home attempt.
Online Services
It seems like you can buy everything online. You can take a quiz to determine what type of wine you would like sent to your house. It is the age of customization and instantaneous results. The problem is that orthodontic treatment is a medical service that should only be performed by a trained, certified professional. Orthodontic treatment is not a product or device found online. An in-person examination is necessary to determine your smile’s needs. Once your needs are determined, your orthodontist can professionally diagnose the situation and recommend a safe course of action.
Your orthodontist is trained to help your smile
It can be extremely risky to try to create your own orthodontic treatment at home. To schedule a consultation, call Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX at (817) 236-7846.
