SureSmile® Braces – Lacey, WA

Crowded Teeth

Crowded, overlapping teeth can trap food between them and increase your risk of decay, bad breath, and gum disease. SureSmile aligners are often able to shift the teeth in a way that gives each member of your smile all the space it needs to function optimally.

Gaps Between Teeth

Gaps between the teeth may be the result of genetics, bad habits during childhood, or other factors. This issue can affect the aesthetics of your smile, and it can leave your gums vulnerable to harm. In many cases, SureSmile can move the teeth closer together, thereby improving your oral function and heightening your confidence in your appearance.

Overbite

A small overbite is normal, but if your top teeth rest too far in front of your bottom teeth, you may experience a number of unwanted issues, such as jaw pain, speech difficulties, and uneven dental wear and tear. SureSmile, often with the help of accessories, is capable of correcting many cases of overbite.

Underbite

If your bottom teeth rest in front of your top teeth, you have what is known as an underbite. This problem can affect your facial appearance, make it more difficult for you to speak and chew, and lead to other issues. SureSmile may be able to adjust your bite to improve both its appearance and its function.

Crossbite

A crossbite occurs when some of the bottom teeth rest in front of the top teeth. It can be the result of genetics, the premature loss of baby teeth, or other factors. This issue can contribute to speech difficulties, jaw pain, facial asymmetry, and numerous other problems. SureSmile and appropriate accessories can correct many cases of crossbite.

Open Bite

If there is a vertical gap between your top and bottom teeth even when your back teeth are touching, you have an open bite, which may be caused by poor bone development or certain non-nutritive habits during childhood. An open bite can contribute to speech problems, bite issues, and more. Fortunately, SureSmile is often able to address this particular type of malocclusion.

Improved Comfort

Although traditional braces are reliable and effective, they leave much to be desired when it comes to aesthetics. That’s why SureSmile® takes a different approach. The aligners are made from Essix® plastic, which are crafted from a 3D model of your teeth to ensure they fit perfectly. Plus, they are high-quality, low-profile, and smooth, helping prevent soft tissue irritation throughout your teeth-straightening journey.

Clear Trays

Another huge perk of SureSmile® is that the aligners are completely see-through. As a result, no unwanted attention will be drawn to your smile during your orthodontic treatment. In fact, even your coworkers, friends, and family members will have a hard time telling when you’re wearing them!

Note: You will need to adopt a few habits in order to keep your trays clear, including rinsing them with clean water each time you take them out.

Hassle-Free Oral Care

If you had traditional braces previously (or you know someone who had them), then you know that brushing and flossing around the brackets and wires can be a bit difficult. Don’t worry – that’s not the case with SureSmile®. Since the trays are removable, all you have to do is take them out first. Then, you can continue with your usual oral hygiene regimen!

Tip: Purchase some travel-sized dental care products; it will make brushing and flossing your teeth on-the-go easier!

Quick Follow-Up Visits

Since you’ll be given several sets of aligners at a time, you’ll be able to progress through portions of your treatment plan at home. That means you’ll only need to come in every 6-8 weeks! Plus, these visits are usually only 15 minutes or so if your teeth are progressing as anticipated. If they aren’t, then it will take a bit longer since we need to determine the best way to get you back on-track with your treatment plan.

Shorter Average Treatment Timeline

Your treatment timeline will depend on a variety of factors, including the complexity of your case. That said, the average treatment timeline with SureSmile® is shorter (about 12-15 months). The key to staying on track with your plan is following all of the guidelines we give you, including how long to wear your aligners each day and when to switch to the next set in the series.

No Dietary Restrictions

Another reason patients love SureSmile® is because there aren’t any dietary restrictions! Since the aligners can be removed, you don’t have to steer clear of crunchy, hard, and sticky foods like you do with traditional braces. Of course, you still need to be mindful of what you eat since habits like over-indulging on foods and drinks with added sugar can lead to oral health problems that negatively impact your treatment plan.

Wearing Your Trays

The most important rule of SureSmile is wearing the aligners for 20+ hours daily. Failing to do so may result in your teeth not aligning as expected, leading to delays in your treatment plan. To ensure compliance, consider using the stopwatch on your phone to track wear time throughout the day. Additionally, setting reminders can help if you struggle to remember to reinsert the aligners.

Cleaning Your Aligners

You’ll need to dedicate a few extra minutes in your day-to-day routine to clean your aligners, preventing them from developing a noticeable yellow hue. The bright side is that maintaining clear trays requires only two simple items: water and a soft-bristled toothbrush. However, always ensure the water temperature is just right, as excessively hot water can cause your aligners to distort.

Eating & Drinking

When it comes to eating with SureSmile, there's one golden rule: remove your trays first. Alongside this, we recommend opting for nutrient-rich foods and minimizing sugary and starchy ones. Remember to remove your trays before indulging in iced coffee or any dark-colored beverages, including soda and juice. Otherwise, these drinks can lead to discoloration and an unsightly color.

Losing or Damaging a Tray

Finding your missing SureSmile trays can be a moment of panic for many patients. Instead of letting worry overwhelm you, try to recall where you last saw them and backtrack from there. Check common spots like the center console of your car, between couch cushions, or even in the fridge – they might have ended up in unexpected places! Of course, don't hesitate to reach out to us if you can’t find them.  

Routine Check-Ins

Throughout your SureSmile treatment, you'll receive multiple sets of aligners in advance, extending the interval between check-in visits to approximately every six to eight weeks instead of the usual four. It's incredibly important to attend each appointment so we can consistently track your progress and, if needed, refine your treatment plan accordingly.

Factors that Affect the Cost of SureSmile®

During your initial consultation, we’ll review a few key factors to create your personalized estimate, including:

• Your current oral health: Your mouth needs to be healthy before beginning orthodontic treatment, so if you have cavities or gum disease, the cost of treating these conditions will naturally add to the final cost of your SureSmile® treatment.
• Your age: While younger and older patients alike can get SureSmile®, treatment will typically go faster for children and teenagers whose teeth and jaws are still developing. As an adult or senior, your teeth will be firmly set in place. A SureSmile® treatment will be able to reposition them, but it will likely cost a little more time and money.
• The severity of your orthodontic issues: As you may suspect, the more severe your orthodontic issues are, the more expensive it will be to treat them.

Your commitment to your treatment plan will also play a key role in the price of your SureSmile® treatment. For example, if you frequently lose or break your aligners, you’ll need to pay extra for replacements. Additionally, if you don’t meet your 20-22 hour daily wear time, your treatment may not stay on track, which could increase its length and price.

SureSmile® VS Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

When researching your orthodontic treatment options, you may come across companies like Smile Direct Club™. These mail-in aligner systems boast a quick and easy way to get a straighter smile without setting foot in a dentist’s office! Unfortunately, like many things that sound too good to be true, there are serious hidden drawbacks to this system. Without the direct oversight of a trained professional, there are plenty of parts of your orthodontic treatment that could go wrong. In fact, there are many Smile Direct Club™ patients who ended up with worse orthodontic issues than when they started, and they needed to go see an orthodontist in-person for retreatment.

Instead of risking your smile and wasting your money, come see us for a professional SureSmile® treatment. You’ll be investing in your peace of mind as well as personalized results you can count on!

Options for Making SureSmile® Affordable

At Peterson & Cammack Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we do everything we can to make high-quality dental care affordable for our patients. Our front desk staff will be happy to review the details of your dental insurance policy to ensure your benefits are being maximized and your out-of-pocket expenses are being minimized. We’ll also review your payment options and work with you to create a treatment plan that fits into your budget. The happier, healthier, and straighter smile you deserve may be much more affordable than you think!

Will SureSmile affect my speech?

It is natural for your SureSmile aligners to temporarily affect your speech. When you first start wearing your new trays, it is possible that you might have a slight lisp for the first few days. Your tongue and remaining oral structures must become accustomed to the aligners, but the lisp should not last longer than 1-2 days, so you do not need to worry about it impacting your day-to-day life.

Is SureSmile treatment painful?

Similar to how it affects your speech, it is normal for there to be some mild discomfort when initially receiving your SureSmile clear aligners. The reason for this is that you now have foreign objects inside your mouth that are applying just enough pressure to move your teeth into proper alignment. While the idea of being uncomfortable may not sound pleasing, the important thing to remember is that the process is working. Also, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce discomfort.

Will I be required to wear attachments?

Not necessarily. Although SureSmile does make it possible for patients to wear certain attachments throughout treatment, you may or may not need them. It will be up to our dental team to decide the extent of your care as well as if your teeth need additional assistance to move in the right direction.

When finished with SureSmile, how can I prevent my teeth from shifting?

Once you finish your SureSmile treatment, there is a good chance you’ll be required to wear a retainer. These appliances make it possible for your teeth to remain in their new location until they become permanently settled. Otherwise, they may shift back into their original positions, effectively undoing all your hard work. You can expect your cosmetic dentist in Lacey to explain how long you’ll be required to wear a retainer as well as when you can move from full-time wear to only nighttime.

Will dental insurance cover the cost of SureSmile?

Ultimately, the answer to this question depends on your individual insurance plan. Some policies do offer orthodontic coverage up to 50%; however, there may be terms and conditions you must review. Specific patient ages and types of orthodontic treatment are often the most common stipulations, but if you need help identifying the details, a member of our team will be happy to assist. We’ll also go over additional payment options (i.e., flexible financing through CareCredit) should your insurance not cover the cost.

How should I clean my SureSmile aligners?

To keep your aligners clean and free of debris and dried saliva, you’ll need to use a soft-bristled toothbrush, lukewarm water, and clear soap. This will be the most effective way to remove stubborn plaque that accumulates on your trays while wearing. Also, it’s helpful to soak your aligners in a denture solution so that they get a more thorough cleaning.

How long does SureSmile treatment take?

Generally, SureSmile results can be achieved in 12-15 months, but each patient is different. Only after a thorough examination by our dental team can we determine how long you can expect to wear these clear aligners. As long as you commit to wearing your trays 20-22 hours each day, regularly cleaning them, and keeping them in a protective case while eating or drinking, you can expect to stay on track and complete treatment on time.

Are there any foods I should avoid while wearing SureSmile?

No! One of the great benefits of clear aligner treatment is its flexibility, which means that you don’t have to worry about the potential for food to get stuck in your braces. Instead, you are required to remove your trays before eating, as they can become damaged when biting down. This also eliminates the struggle that many traditional braces cause, which is increased soreness and the potential of damaging a bracket or wire. With SureSmile, there are no food restrictions to worry about.