La Habra/Chino Hills, CA – As you probably already know, you can do a Google search and find an answer for just about anything. But Dr. Robert Gire of Gire Orthodontics, a La Habra/Chino Hills orthodontist, is warning patients about one trend that has surfaced recently on the internet – do it yourself orthodontics.
“DIY projects are all the rage today but that shouldn’t apply to everything in our lives,” says Dr. Gire. “There are videos on YouTube of people claiming they’ve closed gaps in their teeth with cheap rubber bands and quite frankly, that’s worrisome.”
There are several reasons why this trend worries orthodontists and other dental professionals. First, you could create much larger problems in your mouth. The rubber bands can accidentally shift up to the roots of your teeth, where they can cause serious damage, such as tooth loss, gum infections, and oral disease.
This DIY trend is so alarming that the American Association of Orthodontists issued a consumer alert saying the trend can leave patients at “a substantial risk for irreparable damage.”
Another concern is what happens to the rest of the mouth? If you use rubber bands to close a gap in, say, your front teeth, how are the rest of the teeth going to shift to accommodate that movement?
How about these DIY at home aligner companies that are popping up left and right? You’ve likely seen some of the commercials on TV. They send you a kit, you take your own impressions, and they send you clear aligners to wear. This is a fairly new trend and we’re just now seeing some of the consequences. Because it’s not guided by an orthodontist or other dental professional, there are many severe problems that could arise. Most people’s bites are now off and they can’t chew properly. This will lead to severe wear and other issues. In one highly publicized case, one person actually lost a tooth!
“One thing people often don’t think of when considering orthodontics is that the goal isn’t just cosmetic,” says Dr. Gire. “Orthodontists work extremely hard to ensure the smile looks straight, but also that the bite is properly aligned. If a bit is misaligned, it can cause more damage to the mouth – abnormal wear and tear can lead to teeth chipping, breaking, discomfort, and even tooth loss.”
An orthodontist spends many additional years dedicated to understanding tooth movement and the best methods to achieve the most ideal results. And one thing every orthodontist will tell you is that if you want a smile that will last a lifetime, there are no shortcuts.
“I know the idea of being in orthodontic treatment for a year or two can be a turn-off to some people,” says Dr. Gire. “So they turn to the internet for ways they can correct their problems quickly. But, orthodontics takes time and patience in order to achieve a healthy smile that will last. Your orthodontist has the training and education to know how to best treat your problem. They will work as hard as he or she can to have you in and out of orthodontic treatment as efficiently as possible.”
Turning to DIY fixes can be dangerous, and expensive. While orthodontic treatment may be a few thousand dollars, the expense required to repair damage done by DIY tutorials should give you pause. Losing teeth because a rubber band strangled the roots can be tens of thousands of dollars to properly replace.
Just as with most DIY projects you may see results, they just might not be what you bargained for. A trained orthodontist can help you get the smile you’ve always wanted, without risking permanent damage to your smile. Call Gire Orthodontics today to schedule your complimentary consultation, 562-690-1199 (La Habra) or 909-393-9911 (Chino Hills).