SureSmile® Clear Aligners

Many patients with crooked teeth or a misaligned bite (malocclusion) want a straighter, more comfortable smile but are often dismayed by the idea of having to wear traditional metal braces. At Maria Van Huffel, DDS, we offer our patients a more desirable alternative to metal braces: teeth straightening with clear aligners from SureSmile.

What Are SureSmile Clear Aligners?

SureSmile is a complete teeth-straightening system that uses a series of clear, plastic aligner trays — instead of metal wires and brackets — to gradually straighten a patient's teeth.

The Benefits of Choosing SureSmile

SureSmile offers several benefits over traditional braces, such as:

• Discrete smile alignment correction
• Simplified meal times
• Fewer visits to the dentist for adjustments
• Less soft tissue damage
• Reduced discomfort and soreness
• Shorter treatment times
• Better results

How Does the SureSmile System Work?

The first step to treatment with SureSmile is to schedule a consultation with our dentist. Dr. Huffel can then examine your teeth, talk about your smile goals, and take 3D digital impressions of your teeth.

We then upload your digital impressions into the SureSmile software system which evaluates the current positioning of your teeth and assists our dentist in creating an optimal treatment plan. Each SureSmile treatment plan is designed to gradually shift your teeth from their current positions into an ideal, straight arrangement.

Once our team designs your treatment plan, your set of SureSmile Clear Aligners can be manufactured and delivered to you. You then wear each set in the prescribed order for 20 to 22 hours each day (while sleeping too) for about two weeks. By the time you have finished wearing your final set of aligner trays, your teeth will be in the proper, desired alignment.

How Long Does Treatment With SureSmile Take?

The length of treatment with SureSmile varies from patient to patient depending on the extent of correction required. Minor alignment corrections require less time to achieve the desired results than more complex corrections. On average, treatment courses typically range from about two to six months.

Why It's Important To Straighten Your Teeth

Most patients have cosmetic concerns regarding their crooked teeth or misaligned bites. However, these issues can affect more than your appearance.

Crooked teeth are more difficult to clean properly, putting individuals with crooked teeth at an increased risk of tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. Malocclusion can also cause painful problems with your bite, such as temporomandibular joint disorder. These issues can make it difficult to eat or speak easily. Crooked teeth can even lead to abnormal patterns of wear and tear of the teeth that wear a person's enamel thin or create sharp edges that can damage the soft tissues inside the mouth.

Correcting teeth alignment can lead to improved oral hygiene and a more comfortable bite, in addition to a reduced risk of gum disease, temporomandibular joint disorder, tooth decay, and cavities.

Find Out if SureSmile Clear Aligners Are Right for You

SureSmile Clear Aligners provide a wonderful alternative to straightening your teeth and jaw alignment with traditional metal braces. As strict adherence to your teeth-straightening program is necessary for treatment success, clear aligners are only recommended for teens and adult patients with mild to more complex orthodontic treatment needs.

If you're interested in finding out whether teeth straightening with SureSmile Clear Aligners is the right orthodontic treatment choice for you, we encourage you to contact our dental office in Gahanna and schedule a consultation. Dr. Van Huffel can talk with you about your smile goals, examine your teeth, and provide you with a comprehensive treatment recommendation designed to help you get the smile of your dreams.