There are much better options for braces in Wichita KS
Videos of DIY braces are rampant on YouTube and across the internet, but medical care, including orthodontics, is not something you can DIY. In fact, DIY braces are dangerous and can cause irreparable damage to bone, gums and teeth.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) urges people to be wary of videos or products created to move teeth with rubber bands, dental floss or other items ordered online or picked up in-store which are not directly monitored by a dental professional.
Risks of these kinds of DIY braces tactics include:
- Infection – Homemade braces are made up of items that aren’t sterile, and often, people cut their gums in the process of applying DIY products. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream and start to cause significant health problems, including massive infections and sepsis.
- Bite misalignment – DIY braces can pull teeth in various directions, and if pulled into the wrong position, your bite will be misaligned, causing more problems.
- Gum damage/ Tooth death – According to the AAO, some orthodontists report bands migrating to the tooth root, cutting off the blood supply and killing the tooth entirely.
- Bone damage – When teeth are moved too quickly or in the wrong position, the bone, which dissolves and rebuilds, can be damaged, and without x-rays, the DIYer has no idea if this is happening.
Orthodontists, like Dr. G, receive two to three years of training beyond dental school and specialize in straightening teeth and aligning the bite. Orthodontics is a medical process, not a product, and direct medical supervision is required to ensure the teeth move at the correct rate and in the proper position.
While orthodontics is an investment of time and resources, it is the safest way to ensure teeth are properly straightened. DIY braces may be cheap initially but can lead to devastating damage to bone, gums and teeth—ultimately costing the patient way more than traditional orthodontics.
Dr. G and the staff at Smiles Orthodontics offer free consultations and easy payment plans. Smiles Orthodontics will work with patients to offer safe and affordable orthodontic treatment in Wichita, including Invisalign braces and traditional braces. Smiles Orthodontics is committed to our patient’s health and success using safe, effective, and modern orthodontic treatments because we love changing lives and seeing beautiful smiles.