The American Association of Orthodontics recently opposed the use of mail-order orthodontics, citing a lack of in-person examinations.
The organization said a recent survey found 77 percent of its members have had patients visit their offices for retreatment after receiving mail-order treatments that did not include an in-person examination prior to starting. Sixty-one percent of respondents reported they see new retreatment patients at least quarterly.
The survey was conducted from Nov. 24, 2021, to Jan. 10, 2022, according to a May 17 news release.
The organization said tooth alignment should be monitored in-person by a trained dental professional and advocated for policies that increased access to treatment while maintaining standards of care.