What’s New in 2022 at Dr. Van Huffel’s Office? Clear Braces!

During 2021, at the Sirona training facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. Van Huffel completed an intensive course study on the clear aligner orthodontic system called SureSmile^®. We are super excited to introduce this to our practice.  This will give us the opportunity to help our patients with minor straightening of their teeth to give them the confidence they have been looking for.

What are clear aligner braces? In our world there are a few brand names for it, such as Invisalign and ClearCorrect. We will be working with Ortho technology called SureSmile^®. The company that brings us our Cerec Same Day Crown and Sirona 3D Imaging technology, brings us Sure Smile Orthodontic Aligner technology.

How does a plastic retainer straighten my teeth?

SureSmile^® is an orthodontic treatment that works to gradually straighten teeth through the wearing of a series of clear, custom-fit, removable aligners. There aren’t any metal brackets or metal wires like traditional braces.

Can I eat or drink with the custom-fit aligners in?

As a rule of thumb, remove your aligners to eat meals or snacks, drink liquids or chew gum. This helps keep them virtually invisible, retains their fit and helps reduce the risk of tooth decay.

• Do not wear aligners when drinking hot liquids like coffee or soup can result in melted or distorted aligners.
• Do not wear aligner when drinking dark colored liquids such as wine or soda. Doing so will result in staining the aligners.
• One exception – you can leave your SureSmile^® aligners in to drink plain, unflavored, non-sugared cool water.
• After eating or drinking, always brush your teeth before putting your clean aligners back in place.

How many appointments is it going to take me to get started?

There are 3 easy steps:

1. Consult

Make an appointment for an initial SureSmile^® consultation with your dental professional. You can also ask us about it when you are in the office to have your teeth cleaned. We will take a series of photos of your face and teeth, review your goals of clear aligners, take a panoramic xray and take a 3D digital impression– no fuss, no mess, just about an hour of your time, give or take, in the dental chair.

2. Plan

Dr. Van Huffel and staff, along with the dependable SureSmile^® specialists at our Digital Lab will plan and design your case using advanced digital software, orchestrating each step of your smile transformation with precision. Using just the right number of custom finished clear aligners, Dr Van Huffel partners with our Digital Lab to make your perfect smile one step closer. Dr. Van Huffel’s office will contact you to setup a 20-minute quick visit for you to review your new smile plan in animation so you can see what could be the end result!

3. Treat

Congratulations! Your journey to a fabulous smile begins with an hour and a half appointment to prepare your teeth for your new aligners. The movement put on your teeth may require small, bonded tooth-colored attachments to be placed on a few to several teeth. Every case is different to know how many, but the attachments are smooth, covered by your aligners and removed easily at the end of treatment. By wearing your clear aligners and following your custom treatment plan, you will quickly notice your clear aligners are virtually invisible … your friends and family won’t even notice you’re wearing them! The first set of aligners are to be worn for three weeks; the remaining aligners will be worn for two weeks each set.

When I have my aligners, how long do I wear them per day?

Its best to wear the aligners 20-22 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Will my dental insurance cover SureSmile^® clear aligners?

Although some insurance companies help with the cost of clear aligners, some companies do not help at all. Our office will do all they can to help you understand what benefit your specific insurance company will help with. Another option for payment could be a FSA or HAS account if your employer offers it. Remember, Dr. Van Huffel offers CareCredit, which is a line of promotional interest free financing. Ask Kelli about it during the planning step.

Will I experience any side effects while wearing the clear aligners?

The initial 2-4 days of changing aligners can bring on soreness of the movements put on your teeth. We advise, when its time to changer your aligner, do it before going to bed. Take some acetaminophen (Tylenol) and head to bed with the new aligner in your mouth.  Initially, your speech may be affected for a couple of days, and it may sound like you have a lisp. As clear aligners gradually straighten your teeth and move them to their proper position, your gums are reforming around each tooth as it moves, causing a feeling of “looseness” or pressure. Yes, unfortunately, smoking, coffee, wine, and any other food and/or beverages can potentially damage the color of your clear aligners. Remove them anytime you are eating or drinking anything other than cool water.  You cannot chew gum with your aligners in. Remove your aligners for all meals and snacks.

Will I have to wear retainers once my treatment is complete?

Dr. Van Huffel will discuss the finish of your specific treatment with you at the planning step. Each case will vary due to the movement that the teeth get through the SureSmile^® therapy.

Contact Our Office Today About Clear Braces

We are super excited about having the opportunity to help you get the beautiful smile you have always wanted! Please contact us today to set up a free SureSmile^® 45-minute workup appointment.