Bill could require patients to visit dentist before self-treating with clear aligners

A bill designed to protect the dental well-being of Illinois residents has been introduced to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, according to a report from WGEM.

The bill already passed through the Illinois House and Senate and would require patients to visit a dentist within one year of ordering and purchasing direct-to-consumer clear teeth aligners.

Randall Markarian, D.M.D., an orthodontist practicing in Swansea and O’Fallon, Illinois, stressed the importance of undergoing dental evaluations in order to identify potentially undiagnosed gingivitis or other conditions prior to initiating treatment with clear teeth aligners. Further, Dr. Markarian noted that having a treatment plan may help patients avoid additional care as a result of unsuccessful treatment with clear teeth aligners.

“This is a way for us to make sure that any companies providing this do-it-yourself orthodontics have to maintain some degree of standard of care in order to help protect the public,” concluded Dr. Markarian.

Read more: WGEM

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