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DIY Braces Are Dangerous

Live Life Smiling

diy-braces
  • Holmes and Palmer Orthodontics
  • April 27, 2022

 

SOME DO-IT-YOURSELF projects leave us in awe of the sheer ingenuity and creativity involved. Others…not so much. DIY braces definitely fall into the latter category. There’s a reason it takes years of specialized training on top of dental school before orthodontists begin practicing. Teeth are complicated; moving them into a better position is even more complicated.

Only the Experts Have the Right Knowledge and Tools

To design a treatment plan for a patient, we have to factor in growth patterns in the bones and facial tissues, how wisdom teeth will affect the positions of the other teeth, the patient’s overall health, and more. A kid with paper clips and rubber bands lacks the knowledge and tools to do any of that planning.

DIY Braces Can Go Horribly Wrong

Anyone who attempts to correct their own orthodontic problems risks an outcome like David Campbell’s. He tried to close the gap between his front teeth with rubber bands. When the rubber bands mysteriously vanished overnight, he added new ones, not realizing that the previous rubber bands had crept beneath his gums, where they worked their way up the roots and strangled his teeth.

Root strangulation isn’t the only way DIY braces can go wrong. They can cause permanent damage to tooth enamel, create tooth sensitivity, create new gaps between teeth, and damage the teeth, gums, and jaw. Leave braces to the experts!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

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Patient reviews

EVERY SMILE TELLS A SPECIAL STORY

We are thankful for the opportunity to serve our community with excellent care and take pride in our mission of having a patient-centered philosophy. Check out what our patients are saying about us!

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Sara L.
Homes and Palmer have taken care of all four of my children and giving them beautiful straight teeth!! I appreciate the time, effort and love they put into their patients! We are grateful to them and their dedication to being fabulous orthodontists!
Sara L.
Homes and Palmer have taken care of all four of my children and giving them beautiful straight teeth!! I appreciate the time, effort and love they put into their patients! We are grateful to them and their dedication to being fabulous orthodontists!
Meghan D.
My son has been a patient for over 2 years and has had nothing but excellent care and communication. We are excited to start the braces journey this month.
Meghan D.
My son has been a patient for over 2 years and has had nothing but excellent care and communication. We are excited to start the braces journey this month.
Rebecca M.
Everyone was very friendly, answered all questions, and very efficient! Gave us all the information we needed for this experience.
Sara W.
We are thrilled with the service at Holmes & Palmer Orthodontics! My son got his braces on a few months ago, and the entire process was seamless. The initial consult was extremely informative. The process of getting them on was efficient; they made sure he was comfortable and knew what was happening with each step. 10/10 - highly recommend
Sara W.
We are thrilled with the service at Holmes & Palmer Orthodontics! My son got his braces on a few months ago, and the entire process was seamless. The initial consult was extremely informative. The process of getting them on was efficient; they made sure he was comfortable and knew what was happening with each step. 10/10 - highly recommend
Gail B.
The entire staff is stellar. I had been told previously that my bottom teeth could not be corrected, but Dr. Palmer took a second look and is going to try. Makes me very happy.
Gail B.
The entire staff is stellar. I had been told previously that my bottom teeth could not be corrected, but Dr. Palmer took a second look and is going to try. Makes me very happy.
Kimberly N.
We moved to WV FROM NC and were worried about finding a orthodontist to pick up where we left off, and Dr.Palmer and Dr.Homes made us feel so welcome and comfortable.
We are thankful!
Kimberly N.
We moved to WV FROM NC and were worried about finding a orthodontist to pick up where we left off, and Dr.Palmer and Dr.Homes made us feel so welcome and comfortable.
We are thankful!
Jennifer P.
They are the best. So friendly and nice. My daughter never dreads her visits. They also make it very fun with a brace bucks program. Highly recommend!
Jennifer P.
They are the best. So friendly and nice. My daughter never dreads her visits. They also make it very fun with a brace bucks program. Highly recommend!
jellyfish53
Quick and efficient service from entire staff. Convenient location and courteous staff, from doctors to the dental assistants to the office staff. Makes orthodontic work enjoyable (well, almost)!
jellyfish53
Quick and efficient service from entire staff. Convenient location and courteous staff, from doctors to the dental assistants to the office staff. Makes orthodontic work enjoyable (well, almost)!
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    Ashland, KY 41101
  • 606-388-2561

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