Some companies are now offering products to straighten New Zealanders’ teeth, without any face-to-face appointments with an orthodontist. These companies are using a “do-it-yourself” (DIY) approach with clear aligners where customers can purchase a kit online that is used to take a mould or impression of the teeth.
There are also a few locations with facilities for non-dental staff to take a scan of the teeth with no direct supervision from a specialist orthodontist or dentist. These impressions or scans are then used to make clear aligners (or more information about clear aligners can be found here).
The New Zealand Association of Orthodontists (NZAO) is committed to delivering a high standard of care for the oral health of New Zealanders and would like potential consumers to be aware of the risks that you may be exposed to by using these products.
Similar to any medical or surgical treatment, moving teeth with clear aligners or braces is a highly specialised biological procedure, which may have unwanted effects and contraindications. Before using any appliance, it is vital to have a clinical examination to check whether your teeth, gums, bones and jaws are healthy enough to commence orthodontic treatment.
This assessment cannot be done online or in a shop relying only on scans of the teeth and photographs. It requires other specialised clinical equipment, multiple x-rays and the diagnostic skills of an orthodontist, who will personally check the medical history alongside the client’s diagnostic and clinical records.
Without a thorough examination by an orthodontist, the use of these DIY aligner products is risky. The aligners can damage the roots of the teeth and the gums and can even cause teeth to become loose. Because the use of these aligners is not supervised, these adverse events might not be noticed until they are very severe – making reversing any damage difficult, and in some cases even impossible.
Additional risks include relapse of misalignment with teeth going back to their original position, a bad bite (when the upper and lower teeth don’t fit together adequately), and in some cases clicking joints, facial pain and headaches.
Specialist orthodontists take a carefully planned, individualised approach for each patient. They also evaluate the position of the teeth and the jaws relative to the face, the lips, and to other facial soft tissues. They make a comprehensive evaluation of a client’s overall oral health status while assessing all the conditions which can interfere with tooth movement.
Research has proved that failure to take these factors into account in the treatment plan may result in unsatisfactory smile aesthetics, improper jaw function, and consequently a reduced quality of life.
DIY orthodontics relies on predicting tooth movement before treatment has started and does not include follow up after treatment is completed. This is highly unreliable as tooth movement cannot be fully predicted. As such, ongoing management and supervision of orthodontic treatment by an orthodontist is essential to ensure that teeth will fit together adequately during treatment, at the end of treatment, and also after treatment. Indeed, teeth have a strong tendency to move back to their initial position.
Without professional supervision, there’s no long-term retention plan. Specialist orthodontists prescribe retainers, such as Essix retainers, Hawley retainers, or permanent bonded retainers, to hold teeth in their corrected position. These retainers for teeth are essential because teeth naturally shift back towards their pretreatment positions over time.
DIY systems often omit this critical retention stage, meaning results are short-lived or completely reversed. This tendency needs to be checked regularly for many years after treatment and controlled or minimised with specialised appliances (retainers).
Why Retainers Matter After Any Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic results are only stable if maintained with retainers. Whether you’ve completed treatment with braces, professional clear aligners like Invisalign, or are seeking corrective treatment after DIY aligners, retention is the final and most critical phase of your orthodontic journey.
There are three main types of retainers that orthodontists use:
Essix Orthodontic Retainers are clear, comfortable, removable trays that fit over your teeth, similar in appearance to aligners. These Essix retainers are virtually invisible and discreet, making them popular with both teenagers and adults who want to maintain their results without visible appliances.
Hawley Orthodontic Retainers combine acrylic and wire for long-term durability. The acrylic plate sits against the roof of your mouth (or along your lower gum), while a wire holds your teeth in position. Hawley retainers are highly durable and adjustable, which can be helpful if minor movements occur over time.
Permanent Retainers consist of a thin wire bonded to the back of your front teeth, providing continuous support. A permanent retainer is particularly useful for patients at higher risk of relapse.
Even patients treated with professional Invisalign or traditional braces require retention. The biological processes that allow teeth to move during treatment also make them susceptible to shifting afterwards. Your orthodontist will design a custom retention plan based on your specific needs, bite pattern, and lifestyle.
Some orthodontic practices also offer whitening plates as a safe follow-up cosmetic option. These are custom-fitted trays designed to hold professional whitening gel, allowing you to enhance your smile safely after orthodontic treatment is complete.
Orthodontists regularly see adult patients seeking corrective treatment after unsupervised aligner use. Many cases involve shifting teeth, open bites, or damaged enamel. Correcting these issues often requires new aligners, fixed braces, and long-term use of retainers or dental plates to restore stability.
The Specialist Orthodontist Difference
Orthodontists are highly specialised dentists, who are extensively trained to diagnose and treat misaligned teeth and jaws using many types of specially designed orthodontic appliances, including aligners. They plan orthodontic treatment in a way to avoid complications from occurring.
Furthermore, they are capable of dealing with all possible side effects associated with orthodontic treatment. Ultimately, orthodontists make sure that the best and safest treatment outcomes are not only achieved but also maintained over time.
