Dental News - Orthodontists concerned about the emergence of DIY clear aligners

Dental Tribune International

Mon. 3. September 2018

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SYDNEY, Australia: Dental tourism and do-it-yourself veneers have been contentious topics of debate in dentistry for some time. For dentists, DIY orthodontic kits could be added to this list of disruptive and dangerous practices too. However, for some people, the cost of in-office orthodontics is simply too high and recent alternative methods of tooth straightening are becoming more and more popular.

EZ Smiles is an Australian-based tooth straightening company that delivers clear aligners to patients across the country. Speaking to Dental Tribune International, EZ Smiles Director Ed Ambrosius said, “We only treat mild to moderate cases for which we believe most would never consider getting clear aligners via traditional methods owing to the cost and appointment time involved. So, we truly believe we will grow the market. We don’t treat anyone requiring interproximal reduction or attachments, of course, as this requires face-to-face treatment.”

According to the EZ Smiles website, the process involves three steps. The patient completes a questionnaire and buys an impression kit, takes the impressions and returns these. This allows the EZ specialists to determine whether the aligners are suitable for the particular patient. Finally, the tooth straightening process begins once the custom-made clear aligners have been delivered, along with a treatment plan. All of this takes place without the patient ever having to see a specialist in person.

Pricing for the aligners differs depending on the payment process. The initial impression kit costs A$99; however, a full refund is provided if aligners are found not suitable for a particular patient. For those who are eligible, a payment plan of A$41.35 a week is possible (total of A$2,499.00) or an upfront payment of A$2,149.00.

“The response has been terrific from patients. We started owing to the success of ‘tele-dentistry’ in the US and Europe and the fact that Invisalign had entered the market via SmileDirectClub; we knew this was the way of the future based on the technology revolution we are seeing,” Ambrosius said. He also noted that EZ Smiles is looking to partner with dentists around the country who are willing to treat the patients EZ Smiles cannot. “We have more than 1,000 patients on our database—and this number is rapidly growing—that we have declined based on small amounts of interproximal reduction being required.”

In a statement given to Dental Tribune International, Federal Councillor for the Western Australian Branch of the Australian Society of Orthodontics (ASO) Dr Howard Holmes said, “The recent emergence of entrepreneurial start-up companies retailing ‘mail-order’ or DIY clear plastic aligner tooth straightening directly to the public has raised significant concern among Australian orthodontists. The ASO is also deeply concerned about the apparent lack of regulation of this new disruptive industry. As there are no actual dentists or orthodontists providing the service or ‘treating’ a patient, DIY orthodontics does not fall under traditional regulatory frameworks. This leaves the public in a very vulnerable position and with a risk of no recourse if problems arise.”

Speaking about the tension between traditional orthodontists and the emerging industry of DIY tooth straightening options, Ambrosius said: “I think most orthodontists have come to realise that we are only for the lower cosmetic end of the spectrum and are not the threat to them that they may have originally thought.”

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