What Exactly is DIY Orthodontic Treatment?

DIY orthodontic treatments are all over the internet in the form of blogs and YouTube videos – all by individuals who are neither qualified nor trained in orthodontics. These people are using various methods like elastic rings, rubber bands, and plastic mold kits, claiming to close gaps and fix crooked teeth in as less as 45 days.

Most of these DIY orthodontic treatment videos feature teens using cheap elastic bands for tying the teeth they wish to move and none of these materials are medical grade quality. Bloggers also instruct you to wear the bands for a few weeks even if it is hurting because according to them, not giving up now makes it totally worth it when you see the results. But in reality, this initial pain is actually paving the way for irreparable damage to your oral health that can also result in permanent tooth loss.

How is DIY Orthodontic Treatment Hazardous for Your Oral Health?

While elastic strings and rubber bands seem harmless, they can actually slide up your misaligned teeth and become firmly fixed in your gums, cutting off blood supply. This can invite terrible complications like:

• Oral infections that go undiagnosed
• Gum damage
• The possibility of moving your teeth in the wrong position or back to their original position
• Restricted blood flow
• Open sores
• Bone loss
• Tooth decay
• Speech impediment

All of these physical alterations induced by DIY orthodontic treatment options actually lead to emotional trauma that originates from damaging your teeth and smile. This trauma can then result in body aches, insomnia, intrusive thoughts, depression and avoidance of activities.

If you hit or miss DIY projects that involve cooking, baking, painting, sewing or building your own bookshelf, you can give it another try but when a DIY orthodontic treatment goes wrong, the damage goes beyond repair. So, if you are considering the option of DIY orthodontic treatment to straighten your crooked teeth or to improve the appearance of your smile, then you must also be aware of the complications involved because the cost of DIY orthodontic treatment can go way beyond your desire to save money.

Why Consulting Your Family Orthodontist is Important

Considering all the consequences of DIY orthodontic treatment on your physical and mental well-being, it only makes sense to avoid altering your smile using at-home teeth straightening kits. So, if you don’t want to end up replacing your natural teeth with costly oral surgery or other complicated procedures, have the orthodontic treatment done right, the very first time by consulting your family orthodontist.

Orthodontic treatments have come long way now since the days of traditional metal braces that included wires and brackets. You now have access to a whole range of convenient, comfortable and completely natural-looking orthodontic treatments like Invisalign, removable retainers and self-ligating braces. So don’t get lured by cheap 3D braces and at-home teeth straightening kits because orthodontic procedures can only give you the best results when they are left to the experts.

If you want a straight and healthy smile, the safe way, schedule a consultation with Dr. Koch – a trusted and experienced orthodontist in Lawrenceville.