Gripes over invisible braces leave nasty taste in mouth

Some invisible dental brace treatments cost up to HK$19,000 without follow-up consultation by registered dentists, the Consumer Council has found.

Invisible braces have become popular in Hong Kong, especially among youngsters, as they are cheaper than conventional braces that cost HK$25,000 to HK$40,000.

The watchdog sent undercover shoppers to six invisible braces service providers between September and December last year, and found only four of the companies offer oral checkups and follow-up consultations by locally registered dentists.

One of the companies only provides three-dimensional dental scans with no dental checkups, claiming the treatment would be supported by an "orthodontist" through an app.

Another company required full payment before arranging for a dental checkup while no dentist follow-up would be provided during treatment.

The head of the council's research and testing committee, Nora Tam, said orthodontics is a medical service that requires a registered dentist in Hong Kong.

"The problem is that some of these products are packaged as commodities instead of a medical treatment, streamlining a complicated treatment to self-service, which poses a huge risk to consumers," Tam said.

Among 13 complaints received by the council last year, a woman named Lam paid HK$18,000 for invisible braces. But Lam received assessments only from a staff member - instead of an orthodontist - and suffered severe pain and gum recession.

Despite requesting a refund and meeting the person in charge of the company, Lam said the firm failed to give a clear response and told her to forward her request to its headquarters in Canada.

After the council's involvement, the company offered a refund of HK$5,800 after deducting the cost of used braces. But Lam refused the offer as she said the company "could not provide the service."

A woman named Cheung paid HK$14,520 for an invisible brace after a "consultant" of the company conducted a 3-D dental scan. She was told she had no need for teeth removal or have a small amount of enamel shaved from her teeth.

But three weeks later, Cheung received an e-mail from the company, which recommended she undergo several interproximal reductions at HK$1,500 each time, without stating the details of the treatment.

Cheung found the instructions provided by the company confusing and received a full refund after the council's involvement.

The council said the government should closely monitor services that do not offer follow-up checks by registered dentists.

The watchdog also reminded consumers not to accept treatment without dental checkups or follow-ups by registered dentists simply because of the lower price or convenience.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com