Which Aligner Brand?

As with any newer technology, there are lots of options for Aligners. The first major brand was Invisalign, however once their US Patents expired, numerous other companies now make high quality aligners.

At our office we utilize both Invisalign and 3M Clarity Aligners (yes, that 3M sticky note company). Both systems have been clinically proven to provide excellent and efficient treatment results. These are by far the two most popular and advanced aligner systems, with quality manufacturing and advanced technology.

3M Clarity Aligners

No braces. All smiles.

Backed by 3M Science and over 70 years of experience in Orthodontics making braces, 3M carries with them a mighty reputation to the aligner market. Clarity™ Aligners enables effective, esthetic treatment for simple to complex cases. As one of the largest companies in the world with huge research and development teams, 3M will be taking aligners to the next level.

The clear aligner system is custom fit for your smile—offering a treatment experience that is nearly invisible, convenient, and comfortable.

As one of the early adopters of 3M Aligners, Dr. Miller has helped them design and improve their system. With his ‘insider’ knowledge, he will always be on the cutting edge of the latest and best advancements.

Invisalign

Invisalign started in the late 1990’s and was the first major company to offer Aligners. They were very protective of their US Patents (many many lawsuits!) over their first 15 years. They helped usher in the age of aligner treatment and made numerous advancements in the field. The make excellent quality aligners, that work very well and are used all over the world. Over the years they’ve updated their systems and have made many improvements.

Dr. Miller is a Gold Plus Invisalign Provider, meaning he has achieved certain clinical standards of excellence and treats over 120 new Invisalign patients per year.

Do it Yourself Aligners (DIY)

DIY companies reduce treatment down to only basic movements and often have patients take their own molds and selfies. Usually no dentist or orthodontist is supervising the treatment. While some DIY home projects are possible to do well, such as painting a room or changing out an appliance, moving your own teeth from one position to another is not advisable. Why? The bone and gums that support your teeth can be severely compromised by an incorrect tooth movement. That can lead to the need for expensive (and sometimes uncomfortable) additional dental work. The TMJ (jaw joint) can also be affected by how your teeth fit together. DIY companies cannot adequately assess a patients’ TMJ status since they do not perform a clinical examination or take x-rays.

For a marginal savings in treatment cost, it is wise to keep in mind that there is a good reason orthodontists attend 4 years of dental school, followed by 3 years of residency. Moving teeth to look good and function well, while respecting a patient’s individual biology is not as easy as it may seem. At Miller Orthodontics, we specialize in moving teeth and creating beautiful, healthy smiles. Our commitment to continuing education with aligners – both learning and teaching – and our commitment to excellence are the main reason why you should choose us to provide your new smile!

Schedule your FREE smile assessment now