There are plenty of DIY crafts and projects you can do to save money or have fun, but braces should not be one of them! More and more people are trying out homemade braces, and the results are quite alarming. You wouldn’t want to perform surgery on yourself, right? When it comes to healthcare, it is always important to consult with professionals to ensure the safety and effectiveness of your treatment. In addition to dental school, orthodontists attend specialty postdoctoral training for 2-3 years, and are very qualified to help you obtain the smile you want. The work we do is very precise and complicated, and your oral and physical health is very important to us. These DIY teeth-adjusting techniques can have long-term health and financial costs.
DIY Rubber Band Method
Some people try wrapping small rubber bands around their teeth to close unwanted gaps. This is very dangerous, as the rubber bands can force teeth into uneven, crooked positions. The rubber bands can also ride up into the gums and cause irreparable damage, including gum infection, or cut off blood circulation, resulting in dead teeth that have to be removed. This method can also loosen your teeth, leaving you more susceptible to tooth loss. It can also be much more painful than regular braces, as there is no orthodontist involved to ensure that the change is gradual and sustainable.
Platforms like YouTube allow people to post video tutorials for everything from makeup looks to changing the oil in your car. While videos like this can be very helpful, they are not a good source of information for orthodontics treatments . Many You-tubers make videos saying that homemade methods worked for their teeth without actually showing the proof, which can mislead viewers. Some You-tubers also claim that the method worked for them, but do not disclose that they needed additional support from an orthodontist to correct and maintain these changes, such as retainers or even a corrective phase of braces.
Mail-Order Kits for Braces
Some companies offer mail-order products that claim to be complete, customizable orthodontic systems. These at-home retainers might sound cheaper and more convenient, but the damage they can cause in the long run can be much more expensive than traditional dental care. The truth is, they do not offer a complete care system and the hardware is limited to what you can apply at home. Orthodontists often have to adjust plans during the treatment process due to your mouth’s individual needs, and if you choose an at-home option you won’t have access to ongoing professional attention to make ensure you are getting the best care for your specific situation.
Many orthodontists offer treatment plans that are similar to the products that these mail-order services offer, but with proper check-ins and adjustments available to you. If you are interested in learning about orthodontic options like clear aligners (such as Invisalign® or ClearCorrect®) or ceramic (clear) braces, schedule a consultation with us!
Teeth Often Revert Back to Their Original Position After DIY Braces
The truth is, even if you do like the immediate results of your DIY braces, they will not last because you will not have access to the professional support necessary to maintain your smile, such as a retainer plan or post-braces check ups. Here at Omar Orthodontics, we offer free, no-obligation consultations. Try that first to learn about your options and save your money in the long run!
Can DIY Braces Really Save You Money?
For many, turning to DIY braces is alluring as a potential way to save money on dental work.
We’d caution that DIY braces could be far more costly in the long term, especially if the DIY attempt results in loss of circulation to the teeth, the need for tooth extraction and implants to replace the lost tooth, gum disease, bite misalignment or infection.
How to Save Money on Braces
Your best bet to keeping costs down is to seek the guidance of an experienced professional who will work with you on pricing and answer any questions you may have. Proper installation, guidance on the care of your teeth and braces during treatment, as well as an after-care plan are all vital to ensuring a safe and successful orthodontic treatment.
Affordable Braces in Chantilly, VA
We’ve made it our priority to make orthodontic treatments attainable for our community in Chantilly, VA. In an effort to make braces more affordable, we’ve offer the following solutions:
Free Consultation
Investing in braces is a big decision for anyone and the treatment may not be for everyone. However, a lack of access getting expert advice shouldn’t be the an obstacle. For this reason, we offer free consultations and made it quick and easy to set up an in-person appointment. If you’re accessing our site from your phone, you can even send us a quick photo of your teeth and we’ll get back to you via our online consultation.
No Money Down Braces
Most orthodontic practices require that you make a down payment of about $500-$1500 upfront, which can be cost prohibitive for patients. At Omar Orthodontics, we offer an affordable braces solution with our no-money-down deal available at our Orthodontic office in Chantilly.
Payment Options
We accept several types of payments, including:
- No-interest in-house financing
- Care Credit
- All Credit Cards
- Cash
- Check … and more
See our full list of orthodontic payment options here and we’re always available to answer questions by phone.
If you didn’t find the service you are looking for, check the complete list of our orthodontics services or contact us for more information.