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Risks Involved with ‘Do-It-Yourself’ Teeth Straightening Products

Adolescents and adults alike who could benefit from proper orthodontic care might long for a short cut ─ to save time and money. After all, many are already accustomed to achieving physical improvements with ‘do-it-yourself’ techniques, such as boxed hair dye, manicure kits, hair removal products, and so on. However, consumers considering DIY orthodontic treatments should be aware that they may be putting their teeth, gums, and jaw bones in harm’s way. A recent consumer alert was predicated by the uptick and availability of such orthodontic products available online and in retail stores.

Among the ‘quick fix’ offerings are rubber bands promoted to close a gap between teeth. But, unfortunately, these products can be a waste of consumers’ money. At worst, they can cause extensive damage to teeth, bone, and soft tissue which could then require expensive and extensive restoration by a multi-disciplinary team of specialists. Any time a dental procedure is undertaken by an untrained, unsupervised individual, there is a substantial risk of irreparable damage. “The American Association of Orthodontists is committed to consumer health and safety and urges anyone considering any type of teeth straightening procedure to see an orthodontic specialist,” says Robert E. Varner, DMD, president of the American Association of Orthodontists. “The risks associated with ‘do-it-yourself’ orthodontics can, and should be, avoided.”

The use of rubber bands in dentistry is not new, and one of its earliest uses was to extract teeth in patients with bleeding disorders. The practitioner simply placed a rubber band around the tooth to be extracted and, in 4-6 weeks, the elastic would slowly work its way down the sides of the tooth, destroying both bone and soft tissue until the tooth would eventually fall out. However, today’s consumers are being told that by simply putting a special rubber band around teeth that gap, the space will close. Because of the known risks, orthodontists consider the unsupervised movement of teeth using just elastics to be below the standard of care, since it can result in permanent tooth loss.

Aligning jaws, straightening teeth, and correcting bites should begin with a comprehensive examination by a qualified orthodontist, not with just a few clicks on a computer screen without the supervision of a dental professional. During orthodontic treatment, and through regularly scheduled appointments, orthodontists assess the movement of teeth, bone, and soft tissue, and make the necessary adjustments to advance the process.

Orthodontists are uniquely qualified specialists who diagnose, prevent, and treat dental and facial irregularities to correctly align teeth and jaws. After graduating from dental school and then completing the required two-to-three years of specialized education in an accredited orthodontic residency program, orthodontists are eligible for membership in the American Association of Orthodontists.

The American Association of Orthodontists, (AAO) is the world’s largest and oldest specialty dental organization, representing more than 17,000 orthodontists in the U.S., Canada, and abroad. The Association encourages and sponsors key research to enable its members to provide the highest quality of care to their patients, and is committed to educating the public about the need for, and the benefits of, orthodontic treatment.

No two patients are alike and there simply is not a risk-free, at-home, one-size-fits-all option. For a healthy, beautiful smile, the AAO urges healthcare consumers to visit an orthodontist. For information on orthodontic care and to locate nearby members of the American Association of Orthodontists, visit MyLifeMySmile.org.

Smile… Fun Facts About Braces & Orthodontics

Courtesy of BracesInfo.com

Braces Trivia

  • Career aspirations? An orthodontist needs four years of college, four years of dental school, and two years of postgraduate study in orthodontics to practice orthodontics.
  • All orthodontists are also board certified dentists.
  • The first “braces” were constructed by Pierre Fauchard in 1728. Fauchard’s “braces” consisted of a flat strip of metal, which was connected to teeth by pieces of thread.

Dental Trivia

  • If you are right handed, you will tend to chew your food on the right side of your mouth (and vice versa for lefties).
  • If the roof of your mouth is narrow, you are more prone to snore since you are not getting enough oxygen through your nose.
  • You will get fewer cavities if you eat a bag of candy in one sitting and then brush your teeth, than if you slowly eat the candy a piece at a time all day.