Online orthodontic companies make treatment sound so easy, right? Take an impression or photo of your teeth and receive aligners in the mail…after so many months — straight teeth! You may be thinking, why wouldn’t I go this route? It is convenient, cheaper then going to see the orthodontist, and I’ll have the same results?!

The answer is NO. Before you decide to proceed with a direct-to-consumer orthodontic company, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) believes there is are a number of factors and questions you may want to consider. For example, in some instances direct-to-consumer orthodontic companies do not involve the in-person evaluation and/or in-person supervision of your orthodontic treatment by an orthodontist. This is a very important factor, because there is more to creating a healthy, beautiful smile than moving the visible portions of your teeth.

Consider this question: What other transforming medical treatment would you undergo without an in-person, pre-treatment evaluation or ongoing in-person supervision from a medical professional? 

Orthodontic treatment involves the movement of biological material, which if not done correctly could lead to potentially irreversible and expensive damage such as tooth and gum loss, changed bites that no longer function properly causing pain and discomfort, and other issues.

If you are considering a direct-to consumer orthodontic company to change your smile, please come in for a consult before agreeing to do so. We can provide you with a list of important questions that can help protect yourself when it comes to your treatment. Remember that orthodontic treatment is not a product or a device; it is a professional, medical service that should be taken care of personally, as every case is requires a different approach. Talk to a professional, who has spent years in a post-doctoral residency program focused on providing orthodontic treatment to patients.

Please take the time to do your research before jumping into something that could cause irreversible damage. You can find more information in the following links:

https://www.ada.org/en/press-room/news-releases/2018-archives/october/ada-adopts-further-policy-discouraging-direct-to-consumer-dental-services 

https://aaoinfo.org/1/online-orthodontic-companies?bt_ee=QDC8hnyTC8iDspCRTnuIq0IoA08iGs/kLjSEpCwbopHSWvCW3PTNrbgjJoXGnxGIQ73O0hWNjzLvliTTO8JOYg==&bt_ts=1522427297063

Read a testimonial from one of our patients that tried the at-home route first:

https://www.yelp.com/biz/cooke-orthodontics-napa?hrid=jtjuAxeQGjMvyXMwgtb4cg&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)