health
Written by: University Line
2021-04-24 10:02
Last update date: 2021-04-24 10:02
Many people spend at least 30,000 yuan to brace their teeth in a dentist's office to get a neat row of teeth. But if you can brace your teeth at half the price, would you try?
In recent years, a "new type of semi-self-service braces" advertisements have often appeared on social platforms. A large number of KOLs confidently show their neatly arranged teeth to the public. The advertised cost is only about 15,000 yuan, without frequent follow-up visits. It will be available within four to nine months. Light or moderate orthodontics can be done through invisible braces.
Reporter｜Editor by Chen Yannuo｜Li Yue Photography｜Chen Yannuo
Such semi-self-service dental braces companies generally first require customers to fill out an online questionnaire, simply list dental medical records and the expected results of treatment, and use their mobile phones to take pictures and upload pictures of the mouth from different angles according to the website guidelines.
If the situation is suitable to receive treatment, the company will contact consumers by email or phone, and ask them to go to the counter of chain pharmacies or special dentist clinics for examination. The detailed method varies according to the company.
However, users were dissatisfied with the follow-up service of this method of braces, and suffered a lot of troubles during the treatment.
Orthodontists said that this kind of treatment
lacks regular support from the dentist
. If the customer fails to ensure that the teeth are healthy before the treatment, there will be certain risks.
Our reporter personally tried the company's inspection service and found that the diagnosis of the semi-self-service braces company and the orthodontist differed.
Before the emergence of invisible braces, dentists could only use traditional steel or ceramic braces to perform braces for patients.
Until the establishment of Invisalign under the invisible braces company Align Technology Inc., the beautiful invisible braces technology came out.
▼Five types of common braces (according to the picture to understand 👇👇👇)
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Dentists use this technology to diagnose and scan the teeth of the patient themselves, use artificial intelligence and 3D technology to predict the movement of the teeth, and order invisible braces for different stages of the treatment.
The dentist will also continue to follow up with the brace company. For example, when the patient's teeth move less than expected, they will make adjustments and remake the braces.
In October 2017, related design and manufacturing patents expired, and a number of invisible braces companies have been established around the world. Many overseas companies have launched "semi-self-service braces", which use invisible braces as a treatment technology. Introduce it to the customer and go beyond the dentist's diagnosis.
In recent years, several companies have established branches in Hong Kong, including Smile Direct Club (hereinafter referred to as SDC), Smilelove and Zenyum.
Different from the traditional braces mode followed by dentists, semi-self-service braces companies will directly communicate with consumers and arrange inspections, and follow-ups are mostly carried out remotely, allowing overseas registered dentists to follow up the situation through data.
Different companies have different operating methods. Some will arrange one or two in-person consultations with the dentist, and some will not have the opportunity to see the dentist at all. They only arrange remote follow-ups by the dentist, which saves the cost of regular follow-up consultations, which makes the price more expensive than a dental clinic. It's more than half cheaper.
However, some companies stated on their web pages that this technique is only suitable for mild and moderate orthodontics, and does not include other dental operations such as tooth removal.
Even so, these companies rely on social media's strong publicity and affordable prices, and they also advertised that the treatment is completed quickly, attracting more and more young people to patronize.
Semi-self-service dental braces are relatively more company-owned and do not require a dentist to diagnose
Case 1: Delayed shipment for more than one month, tooth displacement caused unsuitable braces
20-year-old Ms. Yang received a traditional brace treatment to improve the whistle teeth problem when she was in Form 4, but did not wear a retainer behind the brace, resulting in gaps between the teeth and severe tooth displacement.
Later, she saw a "semi-self-service braces" advertisement on social platforms and saw that the price was cheap, so she decided to patronize Zenyum.
Ms. Yang completed the treatment at about 17,000 Hong Kong dollars. The cost includes the brace treatment, two dental examinations, and the cost of the fixture.
She thinks that Zenyum's treatment is in line with expectations, but the delivery time of the braces is not as good as promised, and the attitude of the customer service staff also makes her dissatisfied: "They cannot (as stated on the Internet) deliver braces in four to six weeks, and they don't follow up with me. I waited blankly!"
The Zenyum website states that customers will receive invisible braces within four to six weeks.
However, Ms. Yang did not receive the braces seven weeks after the payment, so she asked the company where the braces were, but only the customer service responded with four "scare emojis" and explained that the braces were delayed due to quality control issues.
As the braces were not available for a long time and the customer service's answer was vague, Ms. Yang decided to file a complaint with the company via email. The manager was immediately responsible for the case, and the process became smooth.
Although Ms. Yang succeeded in obtaining the braces a month later, as the delivery of the braces was delayed, Ms. Yang's teeth had shifted slightly, making the braces "worn on one side but not on the other side."
Later, although Zenyum provided free additional X-rays of the teeth and a set of brand new and suitable braces, she successfully completed the treatment, but the completion time was more than four months later than expected.
Case 2: The dentist questioned whether the follow-up service is sufficient
Ms. Ou, who is also 20 years old, wanted to improve the bulging of the upper front teeth. She decided to visit SDC due to the propaganda and price of the braces company.
The cost of the treatment, plus a fixator, Ms. Au finally completed the treatment with about HK$15,900.
The company stated that it only provides free 3D dental scans and a remote follow-up evaluation by an overseas registered dentist 90 days after the start of the treatment.
After understanding her dental condition and expected results through an online questionnaire, Miss Qu was judged as a suitable customer, and then went to the counter room in the chain of personal care store Watsons to perform a 3D dental scan, but the staff in charge of the scan did not indicate their professional qualifications .
Ms. Ou completed the treatment in December last year and thought it was effective. However, there was no real person to follow up during the treatment. She only unilaterally received an email reminding her to change her braces.
After she put on braces, she bleeds three to four times a week. She called customer service for assistance, but it was not very helpful. She also missed the email and did not see the dentist remotely 90 days after the start of the treatment.
She didn't deal with the bleeding, but fortunately, no more problems appeared in the end, and the bleeding has stopped.
In fact, before visiting the semi-self-service braces company, Miss Ou once consulted a familiar dentist. The dentist said that she needed to improve the gum inflammation before bracing her teeth, but she ignored it, and SDC did not point out her gum problem, so she let her start. Course of treatment.
Zhou Mingzhong, Honorary Treasurer of the Hong Kong Orthodontics Association and orthodontist, said that it cannot be asserted that the bleeding is related to the braces company. If the bleeding is caused by simple trauma such as scratching the gum with braces, the problem is not big.
But if it is a potential periodontal disease, the problem is big: the wrong braces are the most serious or cause "braces to throw teeth." Therefore, he emphasized that braces should be regarded as medical treatment and require regular follow-up and timely follow-up by the dentist. Solve dental health problems.
For some semi-self-service braces companies only one or two follow-ups, he questioned whether it is enough and what the braces companies will do if the teeth do not move as expected.
Diagnosis difference may become more "hit" and "whistle"
Our reporter earlier accepted the diagnosis of SDC and Zenyum as a customer.
One day after completing the online questionnaire and uploading dental photos, SDC asked reporters to make an appointment for a dental 3D scan.
During the scan, the reporter stated that in addition to aligning his teeth, he also wanted to solve the whistle-tooth problem.
One day later, the reporter received the treatment plan via email, which did not mention the need for any technical assistance other than invisible braces; Zenyum notified by phone that it was necessary to arrange for the teeth to be grinded at the special dentist's clinic at their own expense to make room for the gums to solve the congestion. Only problems can start the course of treatment.
The above picture is a report from the reporter who received the treatment plan and simulation results via email after checking in the Smile Direct Club.
(Website screenshot/authorized by university line)
At the same time, we invited Zhou Mingzhong to make a diagnosis.
Zhou Mingzhong pointed out that the reporter's whistle tooth condition was caused by abnormal tooth occlusion, crowded upper teeth and asymmetry of lips. It is recommended that at least two teeth be removed to make enough space for the teeth to move, and then the whistle teeth problem can be improved through braces.
As for teeth grinding, Zhou Mingzhong believes that the effect is not great because the free gum space is insufficient.
Although the company's plan can make the teeth lined up neatly, if the teeth are clamped directly without peeling them, they will only be "tightly whistling the teeth."
Technology is only suitable for fine-tuning non-dentist follow-up or fall into law
Regardless of whether there is a dentist following up in person, most semi-self-service braces companies have stated that they can only solve the problem of the front row of teeth.
Most of them refuse to deal with tooth surgery such as treatment of inverted teeth, tooth stripping, or large-scale alignment of the teeth.
Zhou Mingzhong explained that under the Dentist Registration Ordinance, Chapter 156 of the Laws of Hong Kong, only practising dentists can perform dental surgery on behalf of customers.
Therefore, these companies can only provide "invisible braces" technology under the personal diagnosis of skipped registered dentists.
As for the identity of the staff who perform 3D dental scans for guests at the counter, SDC listed on the website that the relevant staff are part of the licensed dental assistants or dental assistants, while Smilelove did not list them, and only mentioned that the staff was responsible during the telephone enquiry.
Zhou Mingzhong pointed out that under current laws, only registered dentists and dentists can touch the patient’s mouth, including the entire 3D tooth scanning procedure, when providing medical treatment to patients.
If these semi-self-service braces companies admit that they are providing "medical treatment", they should be scanned by registered dentists.
However, if companies think they are providing "medical products," they are not regulated by the regulations, so Zhou Mingzhong described these companies as walking in a gray area of the law.
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The treatment time is faster than the traditional results may not be so ideal
Semi-self-service braces companies’ treatments are faster than traditional cases followed by clinic dentists. Zhou Mingzhong pointed out that there are two reasons: First, most of the treatments provided by these companies are only fine-tuned and can be completed quickly.
If you want to make the same adjustment in the clinic, because there are more different technologies available, such as traditional steel hoops, the treatment can even be completed faster. However, because the dentist needs to take into account other dental problems of the patient, such as the tooth movement is not as expected, the plan should be adjusted to It usually takes a long time to achieve the effect that the patient wants.
In addition, the design of the braces will also affect the speed of treatment.
Zhou Mingzhong pointed out that the semi-self-service braces company hopes to speed up the course of treatment and will require users to replace their braces every three to ten days, which is shorter than the 14 days generally required by dentists.
Zhou also estimated that in order to maximize the effect of the treatment, the semi-self-service braces company will increase the range of movement of the braces on the teeth. Whenever the user changes the braces, the braces will be adjusted more strongly to ensure that the users have dental problems. It can be improved in a shorter time.
However, the speed and range of tooth movement vary from person to person. Zhou believes that it takes time for the teeth to really adapt to the range of braces movement. It must not be rushed, otherwise the teeth will easily move again, or even "rebound" to their original position.
Zhou Mingzhong: Failure to check in person or cause serious risks
For some companies that only use 3D dental scans and photos for remote diagnosis, Zhou Mingzhong stated that the lack of patient's dental X-rays and personal diagnosis cannot ensure that the teeth are in good condition.
He added that the in-person diagnosis before the treatment allows the dentist to understand the patient’s needs and check the condition of the teeth, but the remote treatment is not only unable to clearly understand the patient’s needs and expectations, but also allows patients with tooth decay, periodontal disease or other dental problems to perform. Brace your teeth, or cause serious consequences.
It may cause allergies and bleeding in the mild cases, and may require tooth extraction in severe cases.
The Hong Kong Dental Association and the Hong Kong Orthopaedic Society issued a joint statement in 2019, stating that if the treatment course lacks the participation of registered dentists, professional diagnosis and progress monitoring, it may affect the effect and increase the treatment risk.
Before consuming, carefully consider "whether the brace is a treatment or a product"
Zhou Mingzhong advises consumers to consider carefully before patronizing semi-self-service braces: "Do you see braces as a medical treatment or just a medical product?"
If you regard it as a product, both the company and the customer have to be responsible, and the company's handling methods may be looser; but if you regard it as a medical treatment, the attitude will be completely different. For example, having a doctor personally diagnose and follow up is one of the bottom lines .
He even pointed out that most of the patients who order invisible braces at the dentist's clinic have to rescan their teeth at least twice during the course of treatment in order to solve the problem that the teeth do not move as expected and other problems.
This journal requests written replies from Zenyum and Smile Direct Club on the above issues. Zenyum replied by email, stating that "when disputes arise, consumers can be held accountable as in all medical procedures." SDC did not reply before the deadline. The website states that if the treatment effect is not satisfactory, a full set of invisible braces treatment will be re-provided for free, but it does not specify what compensation will be made if the customer’s dental problems are caused, nor does it mention the "unsatisfactory" criteria.
This magazine also emailed the Consumer Council to inquire about the number of complaints about "semi-self-service braces", but the conference pointed out that there is no data available for the time being.
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[This article was reprinted with authorization from the internship publication "University Line" of the School of Journalism and Communication of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
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