It’s easy to see the appeal of in-home braces, at least theoretically. You would get the advantage of a more attractive smile at a much lower cost if they actually worked the way they’re supposed to. But unfortunately, these do-it-yourself braces don’t always work as advertised.
Actually, for many individuals, in-home braces can wind up becoming a quite costly, inconvenient option.
How do In-Home Braces Work?
Typically, in-home braces are delivered via the mail. It usually works like this: You take some quick scans of your teeth, send in the scans, and quickly receive some images of how your smile could look once treatments are complete. Once you say yes to the service (and sign some dense and long contracts), you’ll get a series of mouthpieces which you put over your teeth. Theoretically, these mouthpieces will slowly realign your teeth and make your smile look straighter.
Is There’s a Drawback to In-Home Braces?
Now, on the surface, in-home braces might seem like a fine enough idea. It seems to save time and money and is apparently a simple solution. Unfortunately, for the vast majority of patients, there’s a lot that can go wrong:
- In some cases, your teeth adjust in unpredictable ways: In-home aligners may adjust your teeth to quickly or too slowly. You might not like the results this produces. Your teeth could, in worst cases, even wind up more crooked than they were. There are certainly some instances of people who have ended up with an overbite because of faulty in-home braces. That’s because, contingent on how your teeth react, you may need routine corrections which will be influenced by a thorough examination.
- Your teeth can be damaged: Your orthodontist will inspect your teeth and jaw to determine if there are any pre-existing problems before they put in your braces. It’s essential not to underestimate the benefit of X-rays and oral exams. But most of the time orthodontist exams aren’t included with in-home treatments. And that can actually lead to damage to your teeth. In some cases, teeth have broken because of hidden damage someone using in-home braces (understandably) could not detect.
- It isn’t easy to get your money back: So, can you get your money back if something goes wrong with your in-home braces? Regrettably, robust legal documents appear to be more relevant to some of these companies than reliable tooth straightening technology. It can be really difficult to get your money back even if you have a terrible experience due to these contracts.
There Are Other Budget Options Besides In-Home Braces
Part of the appeal of in-home braces is tough to disregard: they don’t cost very much. At least, that’s the plan. But considering in-home braces as a budget item is misleading in a couple of ways. If your in home braces cause damage to your teeth, they will wind up costing you more than conventional options.
Next, you don’t have to resort to in-home braces because there are other ways to keep your braces under budget. Here are some ways to make your braces more affordable:
- Insurance: Many dental insurance plans offer discounted rates for braces and other orthodontic requirements. If you recognize that you’re going to require braces in the future, it may be worth looking into which dental plans would give you the best rates.
- More affordable materials: You’ll pay a premium for advanced materials and cutting edge technology. But if you follow the time tested basics – especially when they require fewer appointments with us – you can reduce the costs of your braces considerably.
- Financing: You don’t usually have to pay for your braces all at once. You can look into financing options. Pick a financing option that provides you the best possible interest rate to keep your costs down.
Inevitably, you deserve a smile that brings you happiness.