At your own risk!
Over-the-counter aligners may seem a quick and cheap option to correct visible teeth issues and create a picture-perfect smile. But dangers lurk down that path, warn experts
“Are you still relying on age-old methods to solve your teeth gap problems when an easy-peasy solution is available?” This is the question posed by cricketer Virat Kohli and his actress wife Anuskha Sharma in an advertisement for teeth aligners.
The celebrity endorsement notwithstanding, the Indian Orthodontic Society (IOS) has expressed serious concerns about companies that offer home dental scans and direct purchase of teeth aligners without involving qualified dentists.
Dentists and orthodontists believe the demand for ‘Instagram smiles’ has cost the public heavily, as they are ordering clear braces or aligners online without being aware of the dangers they can cause if not fitted by a qualified dentist.
“Many dentists have called for the prosecution of companies making such offers. It’s also unfortunate that celebrities are endorsing such claims by companies using unscientific and unregulated means to make a quick buck,” says Dr Sameer Azad Mahendra of Mahendra Dental And Maxillofacial Surgery Centre.
MANY DENTISTS HAVE CALLED FOR THE PROSECUTION OF COMPANIES MAKING SUCH OFFERS. IT’S ALSO UNFORTUNATE THAT CELEBRITIES ARE ENDORSING SUCH CLAIMS BY COMPANIES USING UNSCIENTIFIC AND UNREGULATED MEANS TO MAKE A QUICK BUCK
— DR SAMEER AZAD MAHENDRA,
of Mahendra Dental And Maxillofacial Surgery Centre
ALIGNERS ARE NOT A BEAUTY AID THAT YOU CAN BUY AT A STORE. A WELL-EDUCATED ORTHODONTIST FOCUSES ON UNDERSTANDING THE UNDERLYING DISEASE THAT IS CAUSING PROBLEMS, AND ON HOLISTIC TREATMENT THAT INCLUDES THE JAWS AS WELL AS THE TEETH. THERE IS EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE INVOLVED. — DR MANI PAVITRA, Orthodontist, Dentist N Dontist
A DENTIST/ ORTHODONTIST CAN TREAT COMPLEX CASES WITH ALIGNERS AND THEY HAVE THE NECESSARY TRAINING IN STRAIGHTENING TEETH; ONLY THEY KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT OF FORCE TO APPLY TO CORRECT CROWDED TEETH OR IMPACTED TEETH. ALIGNERS BOUGHT ONLINE ARE UNSAFE BECAUSE PRIOR CONDITIONS SUCH AS CAVITIES, SHORTENED ROOTS, AND GUM DISEASES ARE NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT
— DR PRATHYUSHA PRASAD, Consultant Dentist, KIMS Hospital
A PARADIGM SHIFT
Correcting dental spacing issues such as crowding is possible with advanced orthodontic treatment procedures. “Invisalign and other clear aligner technologies have been a major breakthrough for closing gaps and addressing other issues such as the abnormal alignment of the upper and lower teeth, but like any other dental procedure, it has its disadvantages,” says Dr Sameena Ali, Cosmetic Dental Surgeon, Alis Dentistree. She adds, “While cheaper alternatives to Invisalign may be appealing to anyone looking to improve their smile without spending a lot of money, these may cause long-term complications including jaw problems.”
DANGERS OF DO-IT-YOURSELF ALIGNERS
Using generic, one-size-fits-all appliances that can be bought online puts the user at risk. Online teeth aligners require a thorough examination prior to fitting to determine whether the teeth and gums are healthy enough for orthodontic treatment. “Aligners are scientifically designed devices and before having them
fitted, patients have to undergo a scan and some amount of trimming of teeth, which only a registered dental practitioner can safely do in a clinic. The design has to be approved by the dental practitioner, taking into account the patient’s health and ability to adapt to the device. The patient must also be monitored by the practitioner until the end of the treatment to ensure that the desired results are achieved, and intervention may be required in the interim,” says Dr. Sameer.
WITH CAUTION
Online aligner services skip the face-to-face consultations and
check-ups that are fundamental in ensuring that a patient’s teeth are in good working order before beginning aligner therapy, says Dr Sameena. “It is recommended that the patient visit their dentist on a regular basis to ensure that everything is proper, and that the aligners are working properly. If this step is avoided, it becomes very difficult for us as dentists to know how they are doing,” she adds.
“A dentist/orthodontist can treat complex cases with aligners and they have the necessary training in straightening teeth; only they know the exact amount of force to apply to correct crowded teeth or impacted teeth. Aligners bought online are unsafe because prior conditions such as cavities, shortened roots, and gum diseases are not taken into account,” says Dr. Prathyusha Prasad, Consultant Dentist, KIMS Hospitals.
“Both the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Association Orthodontics AAO have condemned home aligners/online aligners, saying that they can contribute to conditions such as The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and gum and tooth damage. Orthodontic treatment involves the movement of biological material, which, if not done correctly, can result in potentially irreversible and costly damage such as tooth and gum loss, changed bites, and other issues. A visit to a dentist/orthodontist is a must while fixing aligners, in order to prevent complications and damage,” she adds.
NOT A BEAUTY AID
Yes, off-the-shelf aligners are a cheaper alternative, but you do get what you pay for when you visit a professional. “Aligners are not a beauty aid that you can buy at a store. A well-educated orthodontist focuses on understanding the underlying disease that is causing problems, and on holistic treatment that includes the jaws as well as the teeth. I’ve travelled to over five countries to learn not only about patient outcomes, but also how to manufacture aligners. There is extensive knowledge involved. Every tooth has a specific angle, so even the smallest details must be addressed,” says Dr. Mani Pavitra, Orthodontist, Dentist N Dontist.