Most people want a pretty smile and straight teeth. When the demand is there, someone will figure out how to meet that demand, and the dental industry is no exception.
Orthodontics, the dental specialty that includes straightening teeth, provides the solution for that demand to eager consumers. Although there are many concepts and techniques available on how to straighten teeth, the one approach that has gained incredible popularity is that of “invisible” braces. It offers all the sizzle to the potential orthodontic consumer:
- Free online assessment
- No credit check
- No unsightly metal braces
- Reduced cost
- No appointments necessary
- Free set of retainers included
- Shorter treatment time
To the uninformed consumer, the attraction is irresistible. However, one should be aware of the old adage, “If something seems too good to be true, it probably is not.” Unfortunately, the concept of “invisible” braces falls into this category. Mark Twain once said, “All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then Success is sure.” According to Forbes Magazine, the invisible orthodontic business has mushroomed into a billion dollar industry.
The Perils of Invisalign
Tara explains her mis-adventure with Invisalign in the video below.
The lyrics say it all: “…Back bone connected to the shoulder bone, Shoulder bone connected to the neck bone, neck bone connected to the head bone …” Dentists and especially orthodontists do NOT know, that they do NOT know that when the alignment of the teeth is changed, it directly affects the alignment of the 28 bones of the human skull and the rest of the body. In other words, when dentists straightens your teeth, they have no idea what they are doing to the alignment of your skull bones or the rest of your body. Just ask your dentist the next time you have an orthodontic appointment: How are you assessing the changes in the alignment of my skull bones when you adjust my braces or place a plastic tray in my mouth to straighten my teeth?
Ignorance is bliss until you run into a problem. Patients undergoing “invisible” braces have experienced chronic headaches, facial pain, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, poor bite, neck, shoulder, and arm pain, and low back pain, to name a few symptoms that have been reported. At present there are over 600 Koreans who have joined together to press charges in a clear teeth aligner lawsuit. According to the Korea Consumer Agency, complaints about clear aligners have been rising, with 332 cases reported between January 2016 and March 20, 2018. The agency also reported that, clear aligners are not suitable for everyone. The underlying problem is that most dentists providing orthodontic treatment have no training in the speciality of either osteopathic or chiropractic cranial assessment or treatment. Unfortunately, when most dentists attempt orthodontic treatment, it is anyone’s guess in what the position your skull bones will wind up.
