Gaining confidence in the long-term health and appearance of your smile.
There’s nothing quite like a genuinely joyful smile—it’s infectious, giving the people around you a bit of that same happiness and making them want to smile right back. Feeling confident in the health and appearance of your smile helps you smile wider and more often, which in turn causes people to perceive you as friendly and self-assured. Straightening your teeth and correcting issues with your bite are great ways to gain more confidence in your smile’s appearance while improving and protecting your oral health for years to come.
After all, straight teeth don’t just look better, they’re easier to clean and less prone to injury than uneven teeth, and properly aligned bites protect against issues like TMJ pain. You likely already know that SureSmile clear aligners are an incredibly popular way of straightening teeth, but what are they and what makes them different from the other tooth straightening options out there? Here are 4 facts about SureSmile that you may not have heard before.
1. SureSmile treatment doesn’t come with dietary restrictions.
Aside from their near-invisibility on your teeth, one of the main benefits of SureSmile is the fact that they are easily removable. Since you won’t eat with your aligners in, you don’t have to worry about making any changes to your diet! You can keep eating popcorn, caramel, whole apples, corn on the cob, and more throughout your treatment. You simply pop your aligners out before each snack or meal. You’ll need to brush your teeth before you put your aligners back in to ensure that they stay clear, but slipping the aligners back into place is just as simple as taking them off.
2. SureSmile aligners are made from smooth thermoplastic.
SureSmile’s clear aligners are made from Essix ACE Plastic, an industry leader in dental plastics, for aligner fabrication. This type of plastic is patented and used specifically for SureSmile aligners, but you can think of it as similar to the material used in whitening trays. The plastic’s smooth surface and custom-made fit allow it to hug the unique curves of your teeth, making your aligners comfortable and nearly invisible. They won’t show up in pictures or on video and it isn’t uncommon for people to not even realize you’re wearing them!
SureSmile clear aligners do require regular maintenance to keep them from staining, though, so just make sure to clean them carefully at least once a day. If you choose SureSmile to straighten your teeth, Dr. May will provide you with information on the best way to care for your aligners. Caring for your aligners is quick and easy, but knowing how to do it properly will give you the best treatment experience possible!
3. You won’t have to deal with wires or brackets.
Wires and brackets are essential for braces because they’re used to exert gently increasing pressure on your teeth to move them into the correct position. SureSmile clear aligners rely on a customized series of plastic aligners to exert that gentle pressure on your teeth and shift them into position, so it doesn’t need wires or brackets. Instead, the smooth plastic of the aligners lays flush against your teeth. This contributes greatly to their ability to go unnoticed, makes them more comfortable, and allows you to see results as they happen. You may even start seeing small improvements in the alignment of your teeth in just a few weeks! It’s incredibly encouraging to get to see and benefit from the changes in your smile while you’re still undergoing treatment.
Additionally, the lack of wires and brackets and the aligners’ removability work together to make oral hygiene a breeze. You simply pop your aligners out before flossing, brushing your teeth, and using mouthwash just like you normally do. It’s quick, simple, and easy, only requiring you to spend a few extra minutes to clean your aligners while you’re at it.
4. SureSmile aligners change roughly every two weeks.
Since SureSmile uses a series of aligners to shift your teeth, you’ll need to change to a new set of aligners regularly. Your treatment plan will be customized for you, so it may look a little different from other people’s treatment plans. In general, though, most people switch to a new set of aligners every two weeks. This is the equivalent of adjusting your braces at the orthodontist, so it’s not unusual for your teeth to feel a little sore for a day or two. Usually, this discomfort is mild enough that you won’t even need over-the-counter pain medication. The good news, however, is that this switch can be done right in the comfort of your own home! You’ll still need to visit Dr. May every four to six weeks throughout your treatment to make sure that your teeth are shifting on schedule and in the way they’re supposed to, but Dr. May won’t have to make any adjustments to your aligners, so these appointments are quick and easy.
Whether you use traditional braces or SureSmile aligners, orthodontics can help you gain a healthier, more confident smile. SureSmile gives you the unique freedom to straighten your teeth discreetly while continuing to eat all of your favorite foods. If you’d like to learn more about SureSmile’s benefits or how long your customized treatment plan is likely to take, feel free to call our office and schedule a consultation with Dr. May at any time.
