SureSmile Clear Aligners – Buckhead, Atlanta
The Clear and Convenient Way to Straighter Teeth
Countless individuals would like to straighten their teeth. They may feel self-conscious about a misaligned bite, crooked teeth, or other orthodontic problems. At the same time, though, they might be reluctant to commit to a long course of treatment with traditional metal braces. If that is true of you, we invite you to schedule a consultation for SureSmile clear aligners. This orthodontic and cosmetic treatment offers a convenient way to straighten teeth that does not involve the use of unattractive brackets and wires.
Why Choose Vason Family Dentistry of Buckhead for SureSmile?
- Discreet & Effective Alternative to Metal Braces
- Predictable, Beautiful Results
- Friendly & Empathetic Dental Team
How SureSmile Works
After we determine your candidacy for SureSmile, we will plan the details of your treatment. Once we take detailed impressions of your teeth, the folks at the SureSmile laboratory will use those impressions to fabricate your aligners.
You should wear each aligner for 20 – 22 hours each day, for about two weeks, before you move onto the next one. Most patients complete their entire course of treatment within just 12 – 18 months. After you finish with SureSmile, we will give you a retainer so you can maintain your results.
Indications for SureSmile
SureSmile is able to correct most cases of mild to moderate dental misalignment. Here are a few examples of issues that it is usually capable of addressing:
Crowded Teeth
Crowded, overlapping teeth can cause discomfort and trap food between them. SureSmile is often able to shift the teeth so that each one has the space it needs to function optimally.
Gaps Between Teeth
Gaps between the teeth can be unsightly, and they can leave your gums vulnerable to harm. SureSmile may be able to move your teeth closer together to give you a healthier, more attractive smile.
Bite Alignment
Problems like overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite can interfere with your ability to eat, speak, and chew comfortably. Along with special accessories, SureSmile is often able to correct misaligned bites.
The Benefits of SureSmile
SureSmile offers a number of truly outstanding benefits:
- Because the aligners are removable, you will not have to worry about adhering to a strict diet throughout your treatment.
- The removability of the aligners allows for easy and convenient oral hygiene.
- SureSmile checkups are very brief, so you can spend less time in our office and more time living your life.
- The smooth plastic aligners are designed to be comfortable. There are no metal brackets and wires to irritate your oral tissues.
- SureSmile is very discreet — most people may not even realize that you are wearing the aligners!
Understanding the Cost of SureSmile
While most people know someone who has gotten clear aligner treatment, it’s still much newer than traditional braces, meaning that you might not have as good of an idea about what the trays normally cost. We want the transition to wearing your aligners to be as easy as possible, which means that we try and take the stress out of paying for your care. If you want to know more about the cost of SureSmile ahead of time, here’s some information you may find useful.
Factors that Affect the Cost of SureSmile
The biggest variable in the overall cost of your SureSmile treatment is the number of trays that you’ll need, which depends on several factors. For one, while most patients are straightening both their top and bottom teeth, some will only treat one or the other, which means fewer aligners.
You may also need more aligners if your teeth are severely misaligned, so you should consider how long your treatment will take when thinking about what you can expect it to cost. Finally, the better you comply with our instructions, the less likely it’ll be that you need extra aligners.
SureSmile VS Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
You may have seen advertisements for Smile Direct Club™ or other mail-in aligner companies. They claim to be able to offer the benefits of professional clear aligner treatment without the need to actually see a dentist in person. In many cases, eliminating the need for a dentist means that these treatments are also cheaper.
However, it’s crucial to remember that the role of a dentist in orthodontic treatment is an important one. We make sure that your teeth are moving as expected, that you’re free of oral health problems, and that there are no complications with treatment. Without this safety net, it’s possible for issues to set in without you being aware. It’s not uncommon for people who use these DIY aligner kits to wind up with worse teeth than they started with for this reason, so if you want a well-aligned smile, it’s best to see a professional.
Does Dental Insurance Cover SureSmile?
Only some dental insurance plans will cover orthodontic care, and because the treatment is sometimes categorized as “cosmetic,” only some of those will cover clear aligners. For that reason, it’s even more important than usual to check with your dental plan beforehand to ensure that you’re getting any of the benefits that are available to you.
Options for Making SureSmile Affordable
Given that clear aligner treatment isn’t always covered by insurance, you may very well need to pursue other options to make the treatment affordable.
We accept financing through CareCredit, which functions a little bit like a credit card specifically for healthcare. You can use it to slowly pay off the treatment over the course of several months, which can be a much more budget-friendly option for people who are unsure about paying for it in one lump sum.
SureSmile FAQs
How Long Will I Need to Wear My Aligners Per Day?
You need to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day in order to stay on-track with your treatment plan. As you can see, that only leaves you with a few hours of aligner-free time each day. So, make sure you only take them off when absolutely necessary, like before eating. Then, brush your teeth immediately after so you can put them back on right away.
Tip: Use the stopwatch on your phone to track your aligner-free time! You can also create a reminder so you don’t forget to put your trays back on.
Can You Get SureSmile After Braces?
It’s possible! If you had braces in the past, but your teeth are crooked or spaced out again, then the best thing to do is schedule an appointment with one of our Atlanta dentists. That way, they can take X-rays, review your dental history, conduct an oral exam, and determine if you’re a good candidate for SureSmile. If you are, then they will create your custom treatment plan and answer any questions you have before officially beginning the teeth-straightening process!
Can You Eat with Your Aligners In?
No, you cannot eat with your aligners in. In fact, you shouldn’t even drink anything other than water while wearing your trays! When it comes time to take them off, rinse them with clean, cool water and place them in their designated case so saliva doesn’t harden on the surface, and they are protected in the event they accidentally fall.
How Do I Clean My Clear Aligners?
Good news: it only takes a few minutes to clean your aligners, and you likely already have everything you need. The first step we recommend taking is rinsing your trays with clean, cool water each time you remove them to prevent saliva and other debris from hardening on the surface. The second step we recommend taking is using a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear, mild dishwashing liquid to scrub the surface of your aligners after each meal. If you find that your trays are starting to yellow or smell, then consider soaking them in a dentist-recommended cleaner each night as well.
Will I Need to Wear a Retainer After Clear Aligner Treatment?
Yes, but don’t worry – the retainers look a lot like the aligners. In other words, yours won’t draw any unwanted attention to your smile. Plus, this dental appliance plays a crucial role in preventing orthodontic relapse, which is when your teeth move out of their perfectly aligned positions. So, do your best to follow the instructions we provide, like wearing it each night while you sleep, and take good care of it so it lasts.
Can I Drink Coffee with SureSmile Clear Aligners?
You cannot drink coffee with your aligners, but you can drink coffee if you take them off! When you’re done, rinse your mouth thoroughly with clean water. Then, brush your teeth 20 minutes later and put your trays back on.