This is why dentists do not recommend D2C aligners

The unbridled success of clear aligners has given orthodontists and dentists a rare and unparalleled opportunity to grow their businesses to unmapped heights. If you are looking for ways to cause a meaningful stir in the field of orthodontics, clear aligners are your golden ticket to make it big and better.

And, as with any business of major commercial success, clear aligner services have also ramified into several forms based on delivery systems and manufacturing expediency. One of the most common challenges faced by orthodontists while providing clear aligner services is the inconvenience of delivery to their patients. Clear aligner treatments typically consume longer and more frequent chair time which in turn tallies to an exorbitant sum of money.

The direct-to-customer (D2C) model was born to eliminate these unnecessary dental office visits. Through direct-to-customer platforms, patients can sign up for clear aligners all from the comfort of their own homes, without orthodontist supervision. While this sounds like a step in the right direction for remote orthodontics, dentists worldwide have expressed concern about the quality of treatment provided by D2C. This article highlights why this concern may be more imminent than we expect.

Concerns with D2C aligners

Today, orthodontists no longer rely on referrals from dentists to build their patient portfolio. Strategies like D2C have helped greatly expand the patient pool for many orthodontists in recent times. In fact, a study conducted to highlight factors that influence customers to choose D2C aligners found that 45% of the respondents had already heard of them before the survey. This informs us that D2C aligners have been rapidly surfacing as a viable treatment option.

Additionally, reports suggest that over 1.8 million people have initiated treatment with D2C aligners. People are becoming acquainted with D2C aligners through adverts on television or social media platforms. Emphasis on lowered cost and increased convenience have helped win over prospective clear aligner customers who want a straighter smile but don’t want to go through the hassles of frequent orthodontic visits.

While all seems well and dandy, the BBC recently published an article on Smile Direct Club, a direct-to-customer aligner provider that has risen in popularity for its “convenient and affordable treatment options”. However, choosing D2C aligners over visiting an orthodontist may be more damaging to the patient’s overall treatment process.

Every clear aligner treatment is monitored by an orthodontist who ensures the smooth progression of the treatment as well as predicts desired outcomes once the treatment is complete. Consulting an expert on matters of clear aligners is recommended because they can anticipate risks and complications at every stage of the treatment process. The D2C model carries the risk of manufacturing ill-fitting aligners that can only impede the treatment goal and lower your chances of achieving a perfect alignment.

Furthermore, the quality of the mould and product of direct-to-customer aligners will be vastly different from aligners fabricated in-house by an expert. Since you are responsible for mould-taking in the D2C model and since you are no expert in doing so, you are simply making the process more complicated for you.

Often times than not, the aligner doesn’t fit well or you end up with a worse bite than the one you started with. On the contrary, an expert creates aligners that are precision-moulded to your exact teeth so that they fit like a glove.

One study that reflected the dental professional’s perspectives of D2C aligners inferred that 94% of the respondents felt that the D2C model was inept in administrating standard orthodontic care without a panoramic radiograph or full mouth series. The study outlined that in-person clinical examination during the treatment was critical in providing quality care and aligners to the patients.

What’s the solution?

This is the generation of the now. People want results this very instant and this also unfortunately carries over to serious medical decisions like getting clear aligners. As the demands and expectations for patients’ aligner needs become instant, D2C has captivated many people with its fancy visuals and attractive catchphrases. D2C aligners promise many brilliant things, however, there is nothing like a good old in-house treatment by an experienced orthodontist.

There is no reason why you should be caught up in the romp and pomp of D2C clear aligners and settle for anything less than the very best. Most orthodontists now offer dental monitoring, a system whereby you can upload progress pictures on an online network and have your dentist check up on the progression of your treatment. With dental monitoring, you can truly have it all – the convenience of shorter and less frequent dental visits, cheaper clear aligner packages, and clinical success as supervised by a professional. Make smart decisions about your clear aligner treatment and choose reliable clear aligners from well-trained dentists like PlusSmile®, the newest up-and-coming marvel in the clear aligner industry. Contact us to explore your clear aligner options today!