Do-it-yourself (DIY) braces may seem like a quick, affordable solution to straighten your teeth. Yet homemade braces may do more harm than good for your smile. To better understand why, let’s take a look at DIY braces and the dangers associated with them.
What are DIY Braces?
As people search for ways to save money and become self-sufficient, they often look to YouTube and other online resources for “life hacks,” i.e., tips and tricks to make life easier than ever. DIY braces represent one such life hack, and they involve the use of fishing wire, rubber bands and other cheap, easy-to-find items to straighten the teeth.
DIY braces are designed to simplify the process of getting braces. As a result, they have become exceedingly popular with individuals who want to save money and time. DIY braces don’t require medical training to install, which means you or anyone else can perform the procedure. Plus, DIY braces won’t require you to make expensive, time-consuming visits to an orthodontist.
Search “DIY braces” on YouTube, and you can instantly access thousands of videos from children and teens who use a broad range of items to straighten their teeth. Meanwhile, some of these videos have hundreds of thousands of views – even though DIY braces may cause long-lasting tooth and gum damage to those who follow the videos’ instructions.
Why are DIY Braces Dangerous?
Traditional braces typically cost between $5,000 and $6,000, according to ValuePenguin. With a traditional braces procedure, an orthodontist develops a custom braces treatment based on his or her patient’s teeth. By doing so, an orthodontist ensures a braces patient can achieve the best possible treatment results.
Let’s not forget about the time and resources an orthodontist dedicates to craft a personalized braces treatment plan for a patient, either. An orthodontist possesses comprehensive industry training and expertise and knows how to treat both simple and complex oral health issues. An orthodontist learns about a patient and his or her braces goals and can craft a custom treatment accordingly.
Comparatively, there are DIY braces. Learning how to install and use DIY braces will likely require you to watch one or more YouTube videos, and many of these videos were created by kids or teens who lack orthodontic training and expertise.
To further illustrate the differences between traditional and DIY braces, let’s consider rubber bands and how they are used in both types of treatments.
Rubber bands are a key part of a traditional braces treatment. Some rubber bands help keep the braces’ archwire in place. Other rubber bands help fix a patient’s bite and align the jaw.
But what happens if a person tries to use everyday rubber bands as part of a DIY braces treatment? In this instance, an individual may place rubber bands around the teeth, instead of using rubber bands around carefully bonded orthodontic brackets by an orthodontist.
An orthodontist understands the intricacies of teeth anatomy and is professionally trained to help patients use rubber bands in conjunction with braces. Conversely, an individual who performs a DIY braces treatment is unlikely to possess extensive knowledge of teeth anatomy. As such, this individual may be prone to mistakes.
Also, if a person fails to properly apply rubber bands to his or her teeth, the bands may travel to the roots of the teeth and cause long-term damage to the teeth and gums. To prevent further tooth and gum damage, this individual may eventually require any affected teeth to be removed, too.
DIY braces may seem like an affordable alternative to traditional braces, but they could wind up costing you thousands of dollars. If you make a mistake when you try to install DIY braces, you could harm your teeth and gums. The associated teeth and gum pain could be severe. There is also a risk of infection. Worst of all, the damage to your teeth and gums caused by DIY braces may be permanent.
Are DIY Braces Right for You?
If you are considering DIY braces, think again. Remember, you only get one smile, and there is no reason to put your teeth in danger. On the other hand, if you consult with an orthodontist, you can get the help you need to quickly and safely improve your smile.
One of the biggest problems with DIY orthodontic treatments is that many patients mistakenly think installing DIY braces is the first and last thing they should do to straighten their teeth. But perhaps a good way to look at DIY braces is like furnishing a home. Much in the same way that a person would not furnish a home that has a leaky roof or requires other substantial repairs, an individual who uses DIY braces won’t necessarily correct all of his or her underlying oral health problems at once.
Ultimately, consulting with an experienced and skilled orthodontist is critical. If a person installs DIY braces or performs other DIY orthodontic treatments, the health risks associated with these treatments can be substantial. Moreover, the costs to repair tooth and gum damage related to unsuccessful DIY orthodontic treatments can be significant, and this damage may be irreversible.
Many dentist offices offer free braces consultations, and if you can meet with an orthodontist, you can receive a full evaluation and examine your braces treatment options. The meeting also allows you to receive responses to any braces concerns and questions and set realistic expectations for a braces treatment.
Additionally, dentist offices often provide payment plans for braces. Orthodontists understand the challenges commonly associated with paying for braces, and they work with patients to help them straighten their teeth without breaking their budgets.
Perhaps most importantly, a team of orthodontic professionals operates a dentist office. An orthodontist understands that no two patients are exactly alike, and he or she develops a custom braces treatment for each patient. Furthermore, an orthodontist performs regular check-ups to ensure a patient’s braces treatment remains on track. If any problems arise during a braces treatment, an orthodontist will address them immediately.
Acceledontics: A Great Alternative to DIY Braces
For those who want to straighten their teeth faster than ever before, Acceledontics offers an accelerated orthodontic treatment. Acceledontics is a state-of-the-art braces treatment performed by The Super Dentists of San Diego. It uses proprietary AADvance Braces and AADvance Auxiliary Devices to straighten the teeth in as little as four months. Acceledontics patients can also take advantage of an AADvance Whitening procedure to make their teeth sparkle in mere minutes.
An Acceledontics procedure involves the following steps:
- Medical Assessment: A patient can receive a free health and medication assessment to ensure he or she qualifies for treatment. The assessment usually requires about 30 to 60 minutes to complete. If a patient qualifies for Acceledontics, an orthodontist can create a personalized treatment plan based on this individual’s braces goals.
- AADvance Braces: A patient receives AADvance Braces, which use self-adjusting technology to comfortably and quickly straighten the teeth. AADvance Braces require minimal maintenance, which means a patient can avoid frequent trips to a dentist office for braces adjustments.
- AADvance Auxiliary Devices: An orthodontist installs AADvance Auxiliary Devices, custom-made devices that gently guide the teeth and jaw into the optimal position. AADvance Auxiliary Devices are designed to be more comfortable than comparable devices associated with traditional braces, and they often deliver quick, efficient results.
- Accelerator(s): An orthodontist may install one or more accelerators, FDA-approved devices that speed up treatment time. Accelerators either create small openings around the teeth to accelerate tooth movement, or they use vibration or light to move tissue or teeth.
- AADvance Whitening: An orthodontist administers an AADvance Whitening procedure that enables a patient to conclude his or her orthodontic treatment with straight teeth and a vibrant smile.
Acceledontics offers everything you need to get the smile you want. If you schedule an Acceledontics consultation, you can learn more about this advanced orthodontic treatment and determine if it is right for you.
The Bottom Line on DIY Braces and Acceledontics
When it comes to DIY braces, the risks outweigh the rewards, and it’s easy to understand why. Whereas DIY braces are available at a fraction of the cost of traditional braces, they are not installed by a highly trained orthodontist. DIY braces also involve the use of everyday items that could expose your teeth and gums to harmful contaminants, damage your teeth and gums and require you to visit an orthodontist to correct any mistakes.
If you are on the lookout for a fast, effective orthodontic treatment, Acceledontics offers the ideal solution. Both teens and adults may qualify for Acceledontics, and each Acceledontics treatment is tailored to the patient. This means a patient can work with an Acceledontics orthodontist to improve his or her smile in months – not years.
Acceledontics now provides teens and adults with a great alternative to traditional and DIY braces alike. To find out more about Acceledontics, please contact us today at 1-866-8-FASTER or online to schedule a free orthodontic consultation.
