Just as “The Block” saw everyone keen to take on home renovations, a recent spate of internet ads has seen braces hit the DIY trail. But when it comes to your teeth, it takes more than rubber bands and wires to create the perfect smile.
In fact, orthodontics is a highly precise dental field that requires years of experience, insight and qualifications to ensure treatment caters specifically to the needs and health of an individual.
The Australian Society of Orthodontists explains: “Attempting to close a gap or straighten your teeth yourself significantly increases the risk of infection and serious damage to your teeth and gums, which can ultimately result in tooth loss. It is also worth considering that repairing the damage from DIY procedures could be far more expensive than the investment in specialist orthodontic care”.
Here are five reasons why DIY orthodontics is a bad idea that can cost you a lot more in the long run.
DIY orthodontics
Recently a whole host of DIY orthodontic gimmicks have been popping up on the internet that may tempt people into believing there are ways to straighten or shift your own teeth.
The trouble is these products and methods fail to take a whole host of factors into account, and ultimately can have a very real and negative impact on your dental health.
Diagnosis
A trained and qualified orthodontist like Dr Shimanto Purkayastha commences treatment with a full understanding of the patient’s medical history and the condition of their teeth.
Using intricate scans and modelling, he examines where teeth are currently, what teeth are yet to emerge and how things are likely to look in the future, depending on the treatment type.
This enables Dr Purkayastha to create individual orthodontic appliances and customized treatment plans to move teeth into the desired position.
Jaw shape
A great smile is about more than the appearance of straight teeth, it also factors in the shape of the jaw and ensures all teeth meet at the correct angle.
The jaw ultimately affects your facial shape, and a large component of the orthodontic process is often about ensuring this shape and look is just right.
General health
Your teeth have a major impact on your general health now and into the future. Part of orthodontic treatment involves ensuring teeth are accessible for cleaning so you can maintain optimum oral hygiene and minimise problems like tooth decay over the course of your life.
Ongoing monitoring
Throughout braces treatment, your orthodontist carefully monitors progress, ensuring teeth are gently shifting into the correct position and the jaw is altering to suit and maintain your ideal smile.
This monitoring involves regular appointments where your orthodontist will check your teeth and change the pressure applied to them. Adjustments need to happen at the right time, in the right way to ensure safe and stable movement of the teeth into the desired position.
Meanwhile, regular appointments will also ensure the right hygiene standards are being maintained so your teeth and gums remain in the best health.
After-care
Only a fully trained orthodontist can tell you when your teeth are ready to have those braces come off, and once braces have been removed, a retainer is often used to keep your teeth in the correct position.
Like braces, a retainer is specifically crafted for an individual and made to suit their needs. The retainer is considered just as important as the braces at it ensures teeth stay in position.
Only an orthodontist
The Australian Society of Orthodontists explains an orthodontist is a medical professional who requires extensive training and expertise to attain their qualifications. A pre-requisite for an orthodontic qualification is a degree in general dentistry and an additional 5000 hours of full-time specialist training in the field of orthodontics.
Orthodontists in Australia must have:
- Completed an accredited registered general dental degree
- At least two years of clinical experience as a general dentist prior to their specialist training
- Completed an accredited three-year full-time university degree in orthodontics
- Specialist registration in the field of Orthodontics.
About Norwest Orthodontics
Norwest Orthodontics specialises in helping you achieve a great smile, no matter your age. We feature a range of orthodontic treatments that span from early intervention right through to remedial adult work.
We also have a suite of treatments available that include discrete, removeable Invisalign braces, and welcome the opportunity to work with you to achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of.
You can learn more about our services, or contact us to make an appointment.
