St. Augustine, FL
Delivery services have exploded by leaps and bounds in recent years: restaurants, groceries, household supplies, and more – sometimes with the ability to receive your delivery order on the same day it is placed. There are certain things that just don’t work well for home delivery. That list includes orthodontics. Read on as Palencia Dental explains why you can’t rely on mail-order orthodontics.
The Rise, and Risk, of at-home Orthodontics
Patients today have the option of do it yourself dentistry, including orthodontic aligners in the mail without ever actually seeing a dentist in person. This type of work comes with several potential disadvantages, such as:
Patients who use mail-order orthodontics face a higher risk of problems – 13%, according to research compiled by the American Association of Orthodontists. Because you never see a dentist or orthodontist before receiving your aligners, this raises the risk of complications, including rapid tooth movement or even compromising the health of your gums and supporting bone structure.
No Customization – Mail-order orthodontics also may not offer adequate treatments for patients suffering from severe alignment problems.
Mail-order orthodontic services also tend to operate on an “at your own risk” basis for patients, which had dire ramifications for many at the end of 2023.
Mail-Order Orthodontics Can Leave You Stranded
In December of 2023, one of the most popular companies for mail-order orthodontics, SmileDirectClub, went out of business. This came just a few months after the company declared bankruptcy. All customer support services also ceased, leaving clients with unfulfilled orders and unanswered questions. All undelivered orders were canceled, but existing customers were expected to continue making their payments even though the company had ceased operations.
“That’s got to be very frustrating for them to have spent time and money in a treatment, and then all of a sudden the rug gets shoved out underneath their feet,” Dr. Martin Guymon, the President of the American Association of Orthodontists, told The Associated Press.
There’s No Substitute for Professional Dental Care
Now more than ever, you should trust your orthodontic treatment – and every other aspect of professional oral care – to an experienced and highly-trained dentist near you.
If you’re one of the customers of SmileDirectClub and your care has been disrupted by the closure of this business, and you live in the areas of St. Augustine and Palm Coast in Florida, then please contact the office of Palencia Dental today. Dr. Stephanie Kinsey has been serving these communities since 2005. She can evaluate your current bite, and ensure that using mail-order, do-it-yourself orthodontics has not left you at risk of bone loss, gum disease, tooth loss, or severe damage to your orofacial joints and muscles. All of these are possible consequences of receiving your orthodontic treatment by mail.
Orthodontic Treatment in St. Augustine and Palm Coast, Florida
Whether you are interested in traditional braces or removable aligners such as Invisalign, Palencia Dental has a comprehensive program of orthodontics that can benefit patients of any age who desire to straighten their smile. To find out more about these services, schedule your consultation today by calling 904-664-5254 or visiting our website.
