There has been a lot of promotion of 'mail order' aligners as an alternative to conventional orthodontic treatment. There are many different brands of clear aligners such as InvisalignR who was the original provider of clear aligners. In 2017 the worldwide patent for clear aligners held by InvisalignR expired and we have since seen an influx of different brands and methods of clear aligner treatments.
Whilst most aligners work on the same treatment principle, the actual products and results can vary. In some cases irreversible damage can be done by not having treatment adequately monitored by a specialist orthodontist. At Glenferrie Orthodontics we have used InvisalignR in the past and achieved some fantastic results. We are currently using a product called Spark. Spark is a very clear aligner that looks practically invisible and from all reports, our patients find the aligners extremely comfortable. This is due in part to the fact that all aligners are individually hand cut to ensure comfort.
Aligner treatment has made leaps and bounds in what can be achieved since their initial release. It is important to ensure your orthodontist is experienced in clear aligner treatment before commencing treatment. Dr Martin Poon is highly experienced in clear aligner treatments of all types and has achieved excellent results with Spark.
Below is a link to an article from the Australian Society of Orthodontists regarding the risks of mail order treatments and it is a very interesting read.
https://www.aso.org.au/news/risks-mail-order-teeth-straightening
If this article raises some question feel free to get in touch, we would be more than happy to answer any questions you have.
The Glenferrie Ortho Team