I’ve been trying to do save up for orthodontics for a long time. I’m getting close, but just read something about Smile Care Club. It’s a lot less expensive than the orthodontics. Is it okay for me to use that and then save the rest of the money for something else?
Lisa A.
Dear Lisa,
The best thing about the Smile Club is the cost savings. I just want you to think about it ahead of time. They have you send x-rays, but there are some things, such as gum disease, which is very hard to discern by x-rays alone. It usually takes a physical exam as well.
Gum disease is serious and can creep up on you silently. If you get this type of orthodontics while having gum disease, it will make the situation significantly worse. That puts you at risk of losing your teeth. In that case, instead of spending a little extra money up front, you’ll end up spending thousands to replace lost teeth.
The other thing to bear in mind is things which can go wrong during the treatment. Sometimes, as teeth are brought together, there needs to be some mild shaving to ensure they come together well. In that case you’d need to see a dentist. You’d want it to be a dentist invested in your case, but you won’t have one of those.
Smile Club keeps up with you by photos and phone. I feel one on one monitoring in person is the safest way to go, especially for the patient. This is designed to be a mail order substitute for Invisalign. You’d be better served getting actual Invisalign and the personal attention you both need and deserve during your treatment.
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