A guide to the benefits of aligners for orthodontic treatment … an easy, comfortable alternative to braces

Now that you have arrived at the “online home” of Hunt Valley Dental, your search for state-of-the-art, yet highly relational and kind dentistry, is over! Led by Dr. Thomas Rhodes, our team is pleased to provide guidance, services, and treatments that are in the best interests of your overall health and well-being. Some of these therapies cannot be found at other dental practices in Cockeysville, Towson, Baltimore, and greater northeastern Maryland. Notably, we are adept at straightening patients’ teeth without braces. Our approach to resolving crowded, crooked, unevenly-spaced teeth and jaw-related imbalances or “bite” problems is discreet and precise and supports a comfortable, healthy, and efficient experience throughout treatment. 

Aligner therapy: A clear alternative to silver braces

Conventional braces use silver-colored metal brackets, wires, and elastics or bands that are attached to the teeth to gradually move them into their proper, healthy placements. Braces cannot be removed by the patient; during routine visits, the orthodontist or dentist adjusts the braces. Treatment can only progress when the components of the appropriate brace are adjusted by your dental professional. Additionally, patients must re-learn how to eat and brush or otherwise clean their teeth with braces. If braces-wearers do not correctly and consistently clean around their braces, they risk developing destructive conditions such as tooth decay and gum disease. 

In the past 20 years or so, aligners have asserted themselves as a viable and comfortable alternative to traditional fixed braces that look obvious in the smile and are comparatively high maintenance. Aligners are customized to fit the size and contours of your teeth and mouth. They slip over the teeth, similar to a retainer or occlusal guard. Our patients appreciate that these appliances to straighten teeth and correct “bad bites” are:

• Made from a smooth and flexible advanced plastic 
• Made from a transparent thermoplastic 
• Comfortable to wear and do not poke at the inside of the mouth 
• Cosmetic – not visible when they smile 
• Removable 
• Hassle-free, just slip them in!
• Effective at placing gentle, consistent pressure on the teeth to reposition them

If Dr. Rhodes finds that you are a good candidate for orthodontic treatment with clear aligners, he will review exactly how to wear and care for each aligner. Yes, you will be provided with a series of aligner trays. They are marked to correspond with a different stage in treatment. It is, in turn, essential to wear the aligners in the correct order. While our patients love that they can remove aligners by themselves, without the expertise of their dentist, they only remove them for eating, brushing, and flossing. Failure to comply with daily wear time can interfere with your treatment outcomes and schedule. 

There are many types of aligners on the market today. At Hunt Valley Dental, we use the SureSmile® system. These aligners are specially designed to ensure an optimal fit and that each tray fades into the teeth. So, no one has to know that you are straightening your teeth except you and your dentist! To find out more about this innovative and superior approach to correcting misalignment and bite problems, request an appointment from this website or call us at (410) 771-6300.