SureSmile vs. 3M Clarity Aligners: How They Really Compare

When clear aligners hit the scene, they forever changed the world of orthodontics. Patients could skip the inconveniences of braces in favor of a less visible alternative. And now, you’ve got a ton of providers to choose from.

Two that we think deserve your attention are 3M Clarity Aligners and SureSmile — doctor-directed treatments that can correct almost any misalignment. On the surface, they look almost identical, but dig deeper and you will find some major differences between them. We’ve compiled all the essential info you need to determine the better choice for your smile.

Company Overviews

Invisalign’s massive success inspired several companies to follow their lead, crafting aligners for dentists and orthodontists to administer in their offices. And in our opinion, both 3M Clarity and SureSmile provide compelling alternatives to the industry giant.

Clarity Aligners isn’t a household name, but their parent company certainly is. 3M has over a century in business and is well established as one of the most prominent manufacturers in the US. Yet they haven’t limited themselves to office supplies. Their offerings are incredibly diverse, so it’s no wonder that they have moved into orthodontics as well.

3M launched the Clarity brand with Clarity Clear Braces — plastic braces that are as close to invisible as it gets. In 2018, they added Clarity Aligners to the mix, then redesigned them in 2021 by adding a second type of plastic and changing the way their doctors plan treatments.

SureSmile doesn’t have the name recognition of 3M, but it is owned by one of the largest dental companies on the planet — Dentsply Sirona. This means that your treatment is informed by over a century of experience specifically in the oral healthcare industry.

SureSmile started much like Clarity, offering an aesthetic alternative to traditional braces: lingual brackets and wires situated behind the teeth. In 2007, they started offering clear aligners as well. Over the years, they’ve fine-tuned their design and expanded the nuance of their treatment planning software, transforming plenty of smiles along the way.

Scope of Treatment Comparison

In our opinion, 3M Clarity and SureSmile are two top-tier aligner systems that have straightened hundreds of thousands of smiles. Those are impressive numbers, but to join those ranks, your misalignment must be one they can handle. Here’s a look at what 3M Clarity and SureSmile aligners can correct.

What 3M Clarity and SureSmile Treat

3M Clarity and SureSmile developed their aligners to rival braces in treatment scope. According to 3M Clarity, their aligners can treat the following conditions:

• Crowded teeth
• Gapped teeth
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Open bite
• Snaggletooth
• Midline misalignment

According to Dentsply Sirona, the makers of SureSmile, their aligners can address class I, II, and III malocclusions. Among the issues they treat are:

• Crowded teeth
• Gapped teeth
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Open bite

Both 3M Clarity and SureSmile can move all the teeth, even expanding the arch and altering jaw placement — within limits. Additionally, both systems let your doctor choose the aligner trim that is best for your case, which might improve force distribution if they choose a straight cut.

They can also both apply attachments, which this 2023 study says help improve aligner control and range of tooth movement. 3M’s attachments are slightly smaller in profile, allowing for multiple attachments per tooth and placement on the backs of the teeth.

What 3M Clarity and SureSmile Customers Say

One of the best ways to understand what an aligner company can accomplish is to see what it’s already done. For 3M Clarity reviews, YouTube and TikTok are great sources. There are lots of patients who have shared their results, and they typically align with the company’s claims.

SureSmile has a few patient testimonials on their website. However, we suggest you hit YouTube and TikTok for more feedback. There, you can get unsponsored reviews, which also tend to back up what the company says.

Clinical Oversight

Both 3M Clarity and SureSmile are in-office systems, involving regular clinic visits and direct doctor oversight. 3M only allows orthodontists to use Clarity Aligners — not general dentists. They also encourage their providers to enroll in continuing education courses specifically for Clarity, that way they are always up to date. SureSmile can be offered by general dentists and orthodontists, but like Clarity, they have plenty of training for their partners.

Quality of Materials

Most of an aligner’s strength comes from its plastic. 3M has two that orthodontists can switch between: Flex and Force. Flex, as the name implies, is flexible, while force is more rigid. 3M Clarity notes that the two types of plastic are better at different types of movements:

• Flex is better at correcting rotations and incorrect angles.
• Force is better at expansion, torque, and raising or lowering teeth.

This lets your orthodontist swap between the two options with each aligner, ensuring they use the best plastic for each movement.

SureSmile uses just one plastic: Essix ACE. This is a trusted dental plastic used by other aligner companies as well.

Technology

Both 3M and SureSmile use software to scan your teeth, create 3D models of your dental arches, and simulate your treatment plan. But SureSmile doesn’t stop at their software. They also include a high-frequency vibration device called VPro. It uses gentle micro-pulses to stimulate the bone structures in your mouth, and studies reviewed by our non-clinical team suggest that using it for five minutes a day may encourage faster dental shifts.

3M Clarity treatment is compatible with similar devices, so your dentist or orthodontist might offer one as an add-on, but the company doesn’t include one with their aligners.

Affordability Comparison

For many patients, improved alignment comes with improved oral health and increased confidence. Those are all fantastic advantages, but we wouldn’t suggest trading away your financial health to get them. Because office visits and hands-on care cost money, Clarity and SureSmile are more expensive than many alternatives, but just between these two, SureSmile can sometimes be slightly more affordable.

Sticker Price

In-office clear aligners don’t have firm prices. Your cost will change based on the complexity of your case, the number of aligners you need, and your doctor’s overhead expenses. To get an idea of what you might pay, you have to look at averages.

Clarity Aligners treatment costs $3,000–$8,000 for most patients. This puts them on par with Invisalign as one of the most expensive clear aligner treatments on the market.

SureSmile has two plans — Complete and Select — and your dentist will choose the best one for your case. You’ll pay more for Complete, but you’ll get all the aligners you need for three years. Select saves you money by charging per aligner, though if you need multiple refinements or have a complex case, you may end up spending more. The cost of SureSmile treatment ranges from $2,000 to $6,000.

What About Insurance?

Whether your case is simple or complex, you can expect to pay thousands of dollars for treatment. We don’t know your financial situation, but that is certainly more than pocket change for us! Having a dental policy with orthodontic benefits can reduce your costs and sometimes cover them in full.

Orthodontic benefits either cover a percentage of treatment or have a lifetime limit (usually between $1,000 and $3,000). These benefits will often cover either Clarity Aligners or SureSmile, but you will probably have some remaining out-of-pocket costs.

Tip: Remember your HSAs and FSAs! Most will allow you to apply funds to clear aligners. Speak with your account administrator to learn more.

Financing Options

If you’ve already used your insurance, HSA, and/or FSA, but still have high out-of-pocket costs, financing can break them into manageable chunks. Contact your doctor to see if they have any viable plans — if not, you can look into third-party financiers. Usually, your doctor will offer better terms, though you may need to pass a credit check or make a down payment to qualify.

Convenience Comparison

For many adults, life is filled with work projects, home improvement, family responsibilities, and time with friends. When you get a rare moment of freedom, you might want to savor it, not book a dental appointment. Office visits are essential for Clarity Aligners and SureSmile, so we don’t think they can’t match the convenience of providers who deliver clear aligners to your home. However, there’s more to convenience than seeing your doctor.

Getting Started

To get started with either Clarity or SureSmile, go to their website, find their doctor directory, and search your zip code. Scroll through the list and find the doctor that seems like a good fit. If you’re seeking Clarity treatment, make sure they offer the aligners, not just their clear braces. Just book your appointment and let your doctor handle the rest.

How Long Does Treatment Take?

There is no set treatment timeline with any clear aligners; it varies based on how your body responds to treatment and how closely you follow their doctor’s instructions.

Clarity Aligners and SureSmile treatment can be as quick as six months or as long as 24. This timeline depends on the severity of your condition — the more complex the misalignment, the longer it’ll take to correct.

Dentsply Sirona claims that using the VPro device for five minutes per day can speed up treatment by up to 50%, but results vary depending on the patient.

What Are the Office Visits Like?

You’ll need to schedule and attend regular office visits with either treatment. During these visits, your doctor will examine your teeth, add or adjust attachments, provide new aligners, and answer your questions. Dentists and orthodontists providing SureSmile and 3M Clarity will normally require appointments every 4–10 weeks.

Appearance Comparison

Invisibility is initially what sent adults flocking to clear aligners, and it’s why appearance-conscious patients still love them today. In every case, clear aligners are less visible than braces, but design choices can impact how discreet they are. Clarity Aligners and SureSmile look slightly different. Which one looks better, however, is up to you.

Aligner Material

Material choice has a significant impact on a clear aligner’s appearance. Clarity has two plastics, but they’re both ultra-clear, smooth, and matte. We think the choice of a matte finish is great, since your teeth aren’t naturally shiny, but in our opinion, the smooth texture doesn’t quite match the porous surface of your enamel. SureSmile uses shiny, textured plastic. We think the shine can make your teeth look artificially reflective, but the texture helps them mimic your real teeth.

Some people prefer aligners that closely resemble their real teeth, while others prefer a little shine in their smile. Which looks better depends on your unique tastes and style.

Aligner Cut

Scalloped cuts hide the upper edge of the aligners in the gum line, while straight cuts leave a visible overlap — though how visible it is depends on how much of your gums show when you smile. 3M Clarity and SureSmile leave the decision up to your provider, who can tailor the aligner cut to your needs and goals.

Supplemental Attachments

Elastics, buttons, spacers, and engagers enhance aligners’ control and range of tooth movement — but they also increase visibility. Both Clarity Aligners and SureSmile use attachments, but Clarity makes theirs smaller. In fact, they are so small that orthodontists can sometimes apply them to the backs of your teeth, hiding them from sight.

Patient Experience Comparison

Materials, timelines, office visits, and design — all of it can influence your day-to-day experience. But your satisfaction as a patient relies on a lot of little details, things like communication, oversight, and guarantees. Though the patient experience can vary depending on your practice you choose, we think providers of in-person options like 3M Clarity Aligners and SureSmile typically offer highly individualized support.

Communication Channels

If you run into an issue or have questions about Clarity Aligners or SureSmile treatment, contact your doctor’s office. Many offices have phone and email options, and sometimes you’ll even find one with a patient portal that accommodates texting and web chat. Most dental offices are available during regular business hours, and many also have limited hours on the weekends.

When you call, you likely won’t speak with a remote customer service representative like you would with an at-home aligner treatment. You’ll get someone who knows you and your teeth personally, with access to the intricate details of your case.

Oversight

It might not always be convenient to go in for regular office visits, but it helps keep your teeth on track and adds a personal touch to your treatment. This face-time gives you a chance to ask questions on the spot, and your doctor can address any issues while they’re still small.

In most cases, 3M Clarity and SureSmile providers require visits every 4–10 weeks, giving you plenty of hands-on care and opportunities to ask questions.

Refund & Warranty Policies

In-office aligner brands like Clarity and SureSmile don’t have overarching refunds or warranties for patients, because your doctor will handle your billing and payment. Each dentist and orthodontist has their own policies, but most will do everything they can to ensure that you get the results you want. Some might offer free refinements if your finished smile doesn’t meet expectations. Others might charge a fee. It’s rare to get a refund after treatment, but expect your doctor to work with you to deliver your perfect smile.

Which Should You Choose?

If you ask us, you can’t really go wrong with Clarity Aligners or SureSmile. We think both are quality clear aligner systems. However, you might find that one is better for you than the other.