Before and after SureSmile
You know that you’re ready to straighten your teeth. You’ve decided against metal braces because of the convenience, appearance, and treatment process involved with clear aligners. Now, you have yet another decision to make: which clear aligner system should you use?
With over 50 years of combined experience, our orthodontists have seen it all – and there are many reasons that they provide SureSmile as an aligner option. By comparing it to other popular aligner systems, you can learn more about how it stacks up and why we recommend it to our patients. If you haven’t met with an orthodontist about your aligners yet, we’d love to welcome you in – just request a free consultation to take the first step!
Pros and Cons of Different Teeth Straightening Aligners
Mail Order Aligners (Smile Direct Club)
These aligners have become popular in the last decade. They cut out personal supervision with an orthodontist and create a direct link between patients and aligner labs. The company provides you with a home impression kit and you take impressions of your teeth and mail those back. Sets of Aligners are then sent regularly to gradually straighten your teeth. Smile Direct Club is the most popular and well-known provider.
- Pros – Mail-order aligners are much cheaper than professional treatment because you’re not working directly with an orthodontist. There is also a convenience factor since you don’t need to leave your home.
- Cons – You’re not working with a dedicated orthodontist, there is minimal professional guidance, and there is an associated risk to your oral health and overall bite. Patients only check in with the company every 90 days through photos, so there is infrequent monitoring and no physical exam. We do not recommend mail-order aligners because there is such a risk of problems stemming from treatment. Your smile is so important, and straightening it should be in the hands of a dedicated orthodontist who is familiar with your dental history, has performed a thorough examination, and will be following up throughout the process. An initial exam is also crucial to evaluate your bite and ensure that treatment will have a positive impact.
SureSmile
SureSmile aligners are clear plastic aligners that you wear 20-22 hours per day. This system utilizes cutting-edge aligner fabrication and materials with highly precise impression scanning. This helps produce predictable, efficient results. Although it is lesser-known than its primary competitor, Invisalign, more than 500,000 patients have been treated using SureSmile.
- Pros – SureSmile treatment planning combines orthodontist expertise with sophisticated technology and materials. The aligners are fabricated by Dentsply Sirona, a leading digital dentistry lab. The clear aligners are also made from a special plastic (Essix ACE Plastic) that is subtle and also very comfortable. SureSmile is also appropriate for a wide range of cases, from minor concerns like gaps between front teeth to more complex ones like bite issues. As with other clear aligners, SureSmile is fully removable and allows you to partake in normal activities without concern or self-consciousness from braces.
- Cons – You’ll need to wear your aligners frequently (20-22 hours per day) and replace them right after eating or drinking. You’ll also need to be extra diligent with your oral hygiene to ensure you don’t trap bacteria between your aligners and teeth. These drawbacks are the case for all clear aligners, but they’re still important to note!
Invisalign
Invisalign is the best-known clear aligner system. Patients wear a series of clear aligners to straighten their teeth over a predetermined treatment plan.
- Pros – You’re able to remove your aligners to eat and drink so that there aren’t associated dietary restrictions. The clear plastic is not noticeable and you won’t be hiding brackets and wires when you laugh or smile. The aligners are also smooth and comfortable in your mouth.
- Cons – Invisalign is typically ideal for simpler bite issues and has its limitations. The materials and techniques involved were also developed before SureSmile, so it’s a less contemporary option.
Ready to learn more about whether you’re a candidate for alternative orthodontics? Request a consultation to learn more about whether your teeth would benefit from clear aligners. We’ll work with you to find the treatment plan that suits both your needs and your lifestyle.
