The internet has become a gold mine for DIY’ers. And, while there are a lot of good ideas for DIY projects, the trend toward DIY braces is not one of them. DIY braces have gained in popularity due to online videos of teens claiming to have straightened their teeth without consulting with a professional orthodontist.
In many of these videos, viewers were advised to use little elastics to essentially “tie their teeth together” to close gaps. In other DIY braces videos, viewers were given tips about how to use twine, rubber bands, and even fine wire to apply pressure to their teeth to close gaps. In fact, a college student in New Jersey made his own “DIY Invisalign” by printing out tooth models and making his own aligners.
So, are DIY braces safe? Absolutely not! There are many horror stories about DIY braces gone wrong. And, those really cheap at-home aligner treatments are not without their dangers, too.
Many “victims” of DIY braces have reported severe pain and damage including:
- Root and tooth destruction
- Infections
- Gum disease issues
- Creating more gaps
- Bite that causes TMJ jaw pain
What can go wrong?
Everything! Attempting to move teeth on your own without an orthodontist or dentist overseeing your treatment is very risky. This recent trend toward DIY braces is resulting in serious dental issues and repairs for a very large number of patients.
Straightening your teeth is not simply about reducing gaps. Braces are designed to align your upper and lower teeth in order to reduce wear and reduce pressure on your jaw. DIY’ers aren’t taking the overall structure and health of their mouths into consideration when they attempt to fix problems using paper clips, rubber bands, fishing line, or even earring backs.
DIY braces fail stories are all over the internet. Many of “victims” report damage, some of it serious and permanent to their mouths including:
- Painful bone damage, tooth wear, and loss
- Damage to gums and the jaw
- Bacterial infections which could spread to the blood
- Tooth sensitivity
- Root absorption
- New gaps
Many of these problems could make it necessary for expensive dental repair and even surgery to correct the damage and replace lost teeth.
It’s just not worth the risk
The price of braces is one of the reasons that many people are trying DIY braces or cheap at-home aligner treatments. But, attempting to make your own braces and fix your own dental problems could end up costing you much more in the long run if an orthodontist, dentist, or oral surgeon has to fix the damage that results. And, the potential health risks associated with DIY braces, such as bacterial infections that could spread to your heart, far outweigh any of the cost-saving benefits of DIY braces.
At Dr. Mario Paz Orthodontics, we strongly encourage people to get their new beautiful smile by working with a licensed orthodontist. The different types of braces that we offer our patients include:
- Invisalign
- Lingual Braces
- Damon System
And, we offer a variety of payment options to meet your needs. Contact our office to schedule an appointment.