Do you ever wish you could straighten your teeth without traditional metal braces? If so, it’s time to schedule an appointment with our cosmetic dentist in East Grand Rapids, MI. Dr. Richard Elias III will be able to determine whether you’re a candidate for SureSmile® clear aligners and will develop a treatment plan to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
Here’s what you need to know about the pros and cons of SureSmile aligners.
Pro: Aligners Are Clear and Discreet
Don’t want metal brackets and wires on your teeth? Ask our East Grand Rapids dentist if you’re a candidate for SureSmile. SureSmile aligners are made out of a clear plastic that fits snugly around your teeth. As such, no one will even realize that you’re wearing aligners unless they’re standing close.
SureSmile aligner treatment is perfect for teens and adults who may feel self-conscious with metal braces. They’re also perfect for people with public-facing jobs who want to make the best impression possible on others.
Pro: Unrestricted Diet
SureSmile dental aligners are removable. This means that you’ll be able to continue eating your favorite foods during orthodontic treatment. But it’s important that you brush your teeth after eating or drinking anything other than water. Otherwise, you may stain your aligners over time.
In comparison, patients with traditional metal braces have to avoid foods that are sticky and/or hard to chew. For example, a sticky piece of caramel can pull a bracket off of your tooth. Other foods to avoid are gum, caramel, hard candy, and apples. SureSmile patients, on the other hand, can enjoy an unrestricted diet.
Pro: Simple Oral Hygiene Routine
You can remove SureSmile aligners whenever you please. As such, you can continue to brush and floss like you would normally. This is different from metal braces, which would require you to thread floss between each individual bracket.
Metal braces offer more nooks and crannies for bacteria to hide. As such, it’s important that you remain diligent with your oral hygiene routine. This means brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time and flossing once a day.
Pro: Prevent Future Oral Health Issues
Did you know that orthodontic treatment now can prevent oral health issues later? Many patients don’t realize that having crooked, crowded teeth is more than just a cosmetic issue. It can also affect their dental health in the long run by increasing their risk of cavities, TMJ disorders, and other problems. The good news is that our dentist offers SureSmile aligners to straighten teeth and correct your bite.
Con: Clear Aligner Treatment Requires Discipline
In general, we don’t recommend SureSmile orthodontic aligners for elementary school children. At this age, children don’t have the self-discipline needed to wear their aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day. But teens and adults tend to have more motivation to get a straighter, more attractive smile.
Clear orthodontic aligners work by exerting constant but gentle pressure on your teeth. That’s why you’ll feel a little bit of pressure on your teeth when you start wearing a new set of aligners. This pressure is temporary and a sign that the aligners are working to move your teeth into their final positions.
For younger patients, this temporary discomfort may cause them to avoid wearing their aligners as directed by our dentist. For this reason, our younger patients tend to be better candidates for traditional metal braces.
Request an Appointment with Dr. Elias
Dr. Richard Elias III is an experienced cosmetic dentist in East Grand Rapids, MI. To schedule an appointment and learn if you’re a candidate for SureSmile clear aligners, please call Elias Dental at (616) 458-2048. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.
