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Invisalign vs Mail Order Braces

Do you want a perfect smile? Straight teeth to bring back your confidence?

Before choosing braces, it’s important to do your research. And we’re here to tell you not to fall into the trap of mail order braces. They may seem like the best option at the time and more affordable but there are some big differences that you should be aware of.


It’s a treatment not a product

Firstly, you need to understand that getting your teeth straightened is a treatment not a stand-alone product. Orthodontic treatment needs proper assessment, diagnosis, prescription and continued supervision of your progress.

With Invisalign, or any brace appliance for that matter, you will have an initial assessment to identify if there are any reasons why you may be unsuitable for treatment. Reasons could include implants, infections or tooth decay. Starting orthodontic treatment without checking these could mean you might not get the result you are looking for and possibly worsen your dental and oral health.


Aligner monitoring

During your course of aligners, you ideally want a professional to monitor how your teeth are changing. With clinic treatment, you can attend appointments to show your dentist how your teeth are moving and then they can give you your next set of aligners.

With most mail order braces, this is not an option and could result in your teeth not properly moving to their desired position.


One size fits all

With mail order braces, the services tend to be one size fits all. You take your mold, send it off and receive several weeks worth of aligners with the promise of straight teeth within 6-12 months.

However, this isn’t always the case. Complications can arise with aligners not fitting properly, more severe cases may not be ‘fixed’ in the advertised timeframe and the final result may not be what you want.


Proper treatment at a certified clinic can ensure your treatment plan suits you and your personal needs. At Oldham Orthodontics, we begin the process with an initial consultation to see how severe your case is, how long treatment may take and whether you’re suitable for Invisalign. If you are not, then we’ll recommend other appliances that might work better for you. We’re also able to keep an eye on how your treatment is going and support you with any issues you may have such as aligners not fitting quite right, advice on what to do with discomfort and general oral health tips. When the time comes to finish your aligner treatment, we can discuss with you if you are happy with your final smile. Worse case scenario, we provide you with another aligner that can help you achieve the right smile for you.


For more information about Invisalign, please visit our website. And if you want to book a private consultation for clear aligners then give us a call on 0161 768 0931.