If you have social media, you may have seen at home aligners that promise to straighten your teeth from the comfort of your home. While these options often sound appealing due to cost and convenience, they come with a lot of risk factors. Take a look at our pros and cons list below to see for yourself:

Pros of DIY Aligners

• Affordable cost
• Sent directly to your home — you change the aligners yourself
• Straighten your smile without metal braces

Cons of DIY Aligners

• Cheaper quality due to lower cost
• No dental supervision means higher risk of dental complications, such as teeth falling out because they are moved too quickly, increased risk of developing irreversible bone loss and gum disease, and increased risk of tooth decay.
• If your bite is not properly aligned, you may crack and break teeth. This may result in losing teeth or the need for a more expensive dental treatment.
• You do it yourself — there is no accuracy or detail when moving your teeth, causing them to loosen.

While it may be tempting to use a do-it-yourself aligner, these at-home treatments put your entire oral health at risk, which can lead to more expensive dental treatment in the future. If it is something you are seriously considering, make sure to speak with your provider to see if it is the right option for you. For more information about the risks involved in DIY aligner treatment in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, call Rittenhouse Dental Group at 215-546-2311 and schedule a consultation with our dentist, Dr. Jian Huang.