DIY orthodontics are often marketed as a cheap, fast and effective way to straighten your teeth. All of this sounds appealing, but it could present a very real risk to your health.
DIY orthodontics are aligners which you buy online without visiting a dental practice. It involves an online form and payments for a ‘do-it-yourself’ kit which will have you make an impression (mould) of your teeth at home. You might also be asked to go to a shop to have your teeth scanned digitally.
The impressions or scans of your teeth are then used to make a set of aligners. These are then sent to you in the post, along with your treatment plan.
Worryingly, this all happens without seeing either a dentist or orthodontist.
The risks of DIY aligners
As with most shortcuts, there is an endless list of risks associated with DIY orthodontic treatment.
Orthodontic treatment is not simple. Dental professionals go through extensive trainin…
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Staying safe while getting a great smile
The average person in the UK spends hundreds of pounds each year on dental care.
In recent years, there has been a greater desire for a smile that not only feels healthy but looks good as well. This has led more people to consider treatments that improve the appearance of their smile.
But are the correct consumer choices being made?
There is a growing concern about the number of quick and cheap cosmetic solutions on the market. These are often found online and lead to people performing their own dental work at home.
This can be highly dangerous and could put your health at risk.
That’s why we have launched Safe Smiles – a charity campaign by the Oral Health Foundation that gives you unbiased, trusted and expert advice about cosmetic treatments.
Top tips for safe dentistry
When carried out correctly, cosmetic dentistry is extremely safe and can have many benefits.
We are here to help steer you in the right direction so that you can make informed and safe choices…
Seeing a dental professional
Would you book yourself in for laser eye surgery without asking an optician if it is suitable for you? Would you attempt to perform laser eye surgery on yourself?
For most people, the answer may sound a little like ‘no, that is far too dangerous, and I could end up with permanent problems. This is exactly the attitude you need when considering orthodontics.
Attempting orthodontic treatment at home or without professional supervision could put your smile at risk. The safest way to get orthodontic treatment will always be to see a qualified and registered professional.
When you think about orthodontic treatment, think ACE.
Accountability
One benefit of going to a professional dentist is all dental and orthodontic practices must be registered with, and inspected by, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and have these findings published online. This holds them accountable for their practice and their treatments.
Orthodontics falls within the legal definitio…
Introducing Safe Smiles – new campaign set to champion the benefits of safe dentistry
The Oral Health Foundation have announced plans for a new campaign to help people make safer choices when it comes to their dental treatment.
The charity campaign will stress the importance of having dental treatment in dental practices and the benefits of it being carried out by trained and registered professionals.
Safe Smiles is a dental industry response to concerns about the growth of direct-to-consumer alternatives, with the campaign’s organisers worried about more people performing treatments at home – potentially putting themselves in danger.
Research by the Oral Health Foundation reveals one-in-four (25%) UK households have opted for some form of DIY dentistry during the pandemic.
The nationwide study also shows over half (55%) of adults feel they have neglected their teeth during lockdown. Around one-in-seven (15%) admit to not brushing their teeth as much as before the pandemic. One-in-five (20%) are eating unhealthier foods, and more than one-in-…
Occupational risk of dentists in Norway examined in new study
OSLO, Norway: The widespread availability of vaccines in developed nations has significantly changed the risk of dentists contracting SARS-CoV-2 in a workplace setting. Prior to this, however, dentists and other workers in other occupations that typically involve close contact were widely believed to be at a relatively high risk of developing COVID-19. A new study out of Norway has sought to examine this idea further by comparing how this risk differed across occupations between the country’s two COVID-19 waves in 2020.
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SprintRay announces multiyear partnership with Usain Bolt
LOS ANGELES, U.S.: SprintRay, a global medtech pioneer and industry leader in digital dentistry and 3D-printing solutions, has recently announced a five-year partnership with eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt. Bolt and SprintRay are also collaborating with the Jamaica Dental Association to invest in the launch of Bolt Labs, powered by SprintRay, an initiative with a mission to make world-class digital dental care accessible to Jamaica.
TRUMPF presents solution for more efficient abutment printing
DITZINGEN, Germany: At this year’s International Dental Show, high-technology company TRUMPF unveiled a new processing solution that makes the production of customised implant-supported dental prostheses more efficient. The new process focuses on the manufacturing of dental abutments and can be retrofitted to the current series of TRUMPF TruPrint 1000 3D printers.
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Back with a bang—Dentistry Show London set to return in 2022 after successful staging
LONDON, UK: The Dentistry Show London aims to present a hybrid expo and educational programme that is suited to the entire treatment team, and it has come “back with a bang!” the organisers said. Thousands of dental professionals visited the event this year, and the organisers have announced that it will return to the UK capital next year on 7 and 8 October.
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Third EAS congress: It finally happened!
ST JULIAN’S, Malta: The third European Aligner Society (EAS) congress was postponed three times owing to coronavirus restrictions, but finally the EAS organisers were able to welcome the congress lecturers and delegates to Hilton Malta in St Julian’s. The event was held on 7–9 October and attracted 221 attendees from 27 countries. Six hundred people had originally registered for the congress, but many cancelled as late as a week before the congress started because of the many restrictions still in place.
Interview: The strength of a profession lies in coming together as a community
After three postponements owing to coronavirus restrictions, the third European Aligner Society (EAS) congress was finally held on 7 to 9 October. Dental Tribune International’s Nathalie Schüller attended the event in Malta and there spoke with Dr Les Joffe, EAS CEO and executive secretary. Now retired from clinical orthodontics, he focuses his energies on EAS and ensuring that it flourishes. He shared his thoughts, ideas for EAS and sentiments about the congress.
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