Frequently asked questions about at-home teeth straightening kits

A variety of at-home teeth straightening kits are available online, which are marketed as a solution to straighten your teeth without the need to see a dentist or orthodontist in practice.

Having orthodontic treatment is a big decision. We’ve put together some FAQs about at-home teeth straightening kits, so you can make an informed choice about your orthodontic options before you commit to treatment.

We always recommend you consult a specialist orthodontist before you seek any treatment.

What kind of braces are available with at-home kits?

At-home teeth straightening kits include clear aligners to rectify minor orthodontic complaints. Clear aligners are removable and look a bit like retainers. You’ll be advised to wear them for around 22 hours a day.

How do you take impressions with at-home kits?

You usually receive an impression kit in the post, where you’ll need to take moulds of your teeth and send them back to the provider to be reviewed. Some providers have ‘smile shops’ you can visit for a scan, or to take your impressions if you don’t feel comfortable doing it at home. Once your impressions have been reviewed by your provider, you’ll be sent clear, removable aligners in the post.

Do at-home teeth straightening kits work?

The aligners in at-home kits are only designed to treat minor orthodontic issues. If you have more serious orthodontic problems, you’ll need to visit an orthodontist to assess suitable treatment types.

We recommend you see an orthodontist before committing to any type of teeth straightening treatment, so they can carry out a thorough examination, assess your suitability and provide recommendations to achieve your desired result.

One of Ireland’s leading orthodontic societies, the Orthodontic Society of Ireland, has raised concerns about home teeth straightening kits, due to the lack of a thorough clinical assessment before treatment, and the lack of clinical guidance throughout the process*.

What guidance do you receive with at-home kits?

You’ll be given instructions on how to use your home teeth-straightening kit when you receive your aligners. It’s not clear how often your progress is reviewed, it varies from provider to provider. Ongoing aftercare is not provided as part of at-home teeth straightening treatment.

What sort of orthodontic issues can you fix with at-home kits?

At-home teeth straightening is designed for people with minor to moderate orthodontic issues, including gaps between teeth, minor crowding and minor corrections to bite problems. Even if you have a minor issue, we still recommend you see an orthodontist to assess your suitability for treatment.

If you have more complex issues with your smile, at-home teeth straightening kits are not suitable, always check with your dentist to see what they’d recommend.

Do you receive retainers with at-home kits?

Again, it varies from provider to provider. You don’t always receive retainers as part of your at-home straightening kit; you might be able to purchase removable retainers separately from your provider at the end of your treatment. Effective aftercare and retention are important to make sure your teeth don’t move back into their original position after orthodontic treatment. At Smiles Dental, we’d always recommend you wear a retainer post treatment, and speak to your dentist to monitor your teeth.

How long does teeth straightening take with an at-home kit?

The time it takes to straighten your teeth depends on your individual orthodontic problems. Minor orthodontic issues, which these kits aim to fix, can usually be completed between six months and a year.

Are at-home teeth straightening kits safe?

Choosing the wrong type of orthodontic treatment, or having it when your teeth aren’t suitable, can damage your teeth permanently. Which is why we recommend seeking orthodontic treatment in practice, overseen by a specialist orthodontist.

Orthodontic treatment can aggravate problems like gum disease, and it’s not always suitable if you have wisdom teeth coming through or missing teeth- seeing a dentist in clinic ensures these problems are addressed beforehand.It’s not clear who regulates all at-home teeth straightening kits, so seek professional guidance.

Looking for orthodontic treatment?

If you’re looking to discuss your orthodontic treatment options with someone, search for your local Smiles Dental clinic and book a consultation with one of our dentists or orthodontists. We’d be happy to talk you through your options.
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*Orthodontic Society of Ireland: here

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