When it comes to choosing an orthodontic aligner system such as Invisalign® or mail-order aligners, dental professionals will tell you that there are a number of reasons why you should choose a trusted system such as Invisalign that is supervised by a dentist or orthodontist over a mail-order system. In this blog post, the team at Astoria Dental Group, serving Long Island City and Queens, review the differences between Invisalign vs. mail-order aligners.
More Accurate Diagnosis
When you undergo orthodontic treatment with a skilled dentist or orthodontist, you will receive a more accurate diagnosis and better treatment plan. Your dentist or orthodontist will perform a thorough exam and take your unique cosmetic goals into consideration.
With mail order aligners, your dental scans are not performed by certified professionals. In some cases, patients simply use a putty-like substance to take impressions of their teeth. In addition, you are assigned to an orthodontist with whom you have no contact. All of these factors result in a less precise diagnosis and a treatment plan that is not quite as fine-tuned to your needs as it could be.
Routine Supervision with a Dental Professional
When you undergo Invisalign treatment at our Long Island City practice, you will come into our office on a routine basis so we can check the progress of your treatment and make adjustments as needed. Although you won’t need to come in for as many appointments as are required with braces, we will monitor your progress and be available for any questions or concerns you have.
With mail order aligners, you don’t undergo routine exams and you have no opportunities to speak with your orthodontist if you want to discuss your treatment plan. If problems arise, you are referred to customer service agents with no certification or experience in dentistry.
Adjustments Made as Needed
Because you can come to our office for Invisalign exams, we can adjust your treatment as needed. Invisalign now comes with advanced options such as attachments that secure to your aligners for even more precise movement of your teeth. This expands our ability to provide the best possible treatment. In addition, if there are any problems with your aligners or they need to be changed in any way, we can make these adjustments as soon as possible.
Mail order aligners don’t come with attachments and don’t allow for more precise movement of the teeth. Once your treatment plan is complete, you can go to an office for scans or send in more putty impressions to get more aligners. But this doesn’t allow for changes earlier in your plan, possibly leading to unnecessary or inaccurate tooth movement. And if patients don’t push and continue to seek additional treatment, they may be unhappy with their results.
Contact Astoria Dental Group
Contact Astoria Dental Group today to find out if you are a good candidate for treatment with clear, orthodontic aligners. We can discuss why we think Invisalign is superior to mail order aligners and help you make the decision that is right for you. We look forward to hearing from you!
