A new craze is sweeping through YouTube and dentist agree, it’s absolutely crazy. According to some over-ambitious YouTubers, the new “it” treatment in orthodontics is D.I.Y. teeth straightening or gap closing using plastic aligners and elastic bands.
Thousands
of unsuspecting viewers are logging on to the Internet and taking the
advice of amateur orthodontists who advice that they can straighten
teeth for a fraction of the cost of traditional orthodontia. The problem? When something sounds too-good-to-be-true, it usually is.
Rubber
bands and other types of homemade braces can cause root damage, gum
recession, and weaken the underlying bone that supports our teeth.
Dr. Berdy
and other dental professionals warn that these types of treatments can
cause periodontal problems and, in extreme cases, even lead to tooth
loss. Orthodontists (hopefully working with an expert periodontist!) are
able to take X-rays, make models of your teeth and jawline, and can
anticipate the effects of orthodontic appliances.
So
from Dr. Berdy’s mouth, hopefully, to your ears, when it comes to
dental work, it’s usually best to trust your dentist, not the Internet.
