CONSUMER ALERT
Before you decide to proceed with a direct-to-consumer orthodontic company, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) believes there are a number of factors and questions you may want to consider.
Fresh off the wire:
75%
An estimated 50-75% of people could benefit from orthodontic treatment.
1/3
3.9M
An estimated 3.9 million children are orthodontic patients in the U.S.
AAO in the news:
- BBC: SmileDirect Club, the $8bn braces firm boosted by selfies
- Forbes: “What Investors Need to Know About SmileDirectClub’s (SDC) IPO”
- KOB Albuquerque: “4 Investigates: State leaders weigh legality of do-it-yourself teeth straightening”
- Bloomberg BusinessWeek: “A Tooth-Straightening Startup Runs Into Resistance”
- TechCrunch: “SmileDirectClub files to go public amid concerns from dental associations”
- Fortune: “Brace Yourself: SmileDirectClub Is the Latest Unicorn to File for an IPO”
What’s trending?
Can Pacifiers and Thumb Sucking Affect My Child’s Teeth?
In short, yes. While thumb sucking or pacifier use is one of an infant’s natural reflexes, prolonged sucking can exert force on the teeth and jaws.
Why Filing Teeth Yourself Is a Bad Idea
Unlike fingernails, teeth are permanent. What you remove won’t grow back. The protective layer of enamel you’re chipping away at is limited. Once you break through it, the damage is done.
Can Orthodontic Treatment Help Sleep Apnea?
In short, yes. Orthodontics can help manage obstructive sleep apnea in adults and children in some cases.