It won’t come as a surprise to many that Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, is one of the richest men in the world. It’s hard to think of anyone who hasn’t at one time bought something online and had it delivered via Amazon. It started with books and now we can all buy virtually anything online and get it delivered right to our door. There’s no denying the convenience in that! Your health, teeth and orthodontic needs, however, are less easy to package up and deliver but that’s not stopping some companies in trying.
It’s now possible to subscribe to services that deliver orthodontics by post. You can sign up and have a series of clear aligners delivered right to your door. At first glance this seems ideal for busy people; working couples, parents and teens used to buying online may jump at the chance to get the smile of their dreams through a few clicks on their computer.
At Park Lane Orthodontics we’d urge patients to think twice before signing up for an orthodontic subscription service as there’s a number of disadvantages to mail-order aligners. Firstly, your direct contact with a specialist in orthodontics or even a dental professional is limited. For example, you may only be required to visit a treatment centre once, at the beginning of your orthodontic journey for a digital scan of your mouth and teeth. That’s one visit for a treatment plan that may last 12 months or more. We’ve even heard of cases where the initial meeting is done via Skype and your treatment options are based on a series of selfies emailed to a so-called orthodontic adviser. In these cases you become a customer and not a patient.
To maximise the chance of a successful outcome and to ensure you get the very best result and wonderful smile you need a full, proper assessment by an orthodontic professional at our Park Lane Orthodontic practice. Every patient and mouth is unique which means one-size-fits all is not an option. For a comprehensive, accurate assessment you need to discuss your full medical history, a detailed review of x-rays and scans, and a thorough understanding of your lifestyle and expectations for your new smile. And, of course, we’re on hand to answer all your questions throughout treatment.
One-to-one interaction allows for a us to analyze the entire mouth and create a custom treatment plan taking all variables into consideration. We can concentrate on finding a solution for your whole mouth and teeth and not just your front six teeth.
Park Lane Orthodontics also guarantees an ongoing relationship throughout your treatment and also the important after-care service needed to maintain and sustain your new smile for life. Sometimes, if something looks too good to be true, it probably is. So why take any risks with something as important as your oral health and beautiful smile.
The British Orthodontic Society is also extremely concerned about the growth of what it calls “Do-it-yourself Braces” and you can read more details about their worries for patient welfare on the following link.
https://www.bos.org.uk/News-and-Events/BOS-Statements/BOS-Statement-Do-it-yourself-braces
For more information on clear aligners and Invisalign contact Park Lane Orthodontics. T. 0118 9411628