Do you feel embarrassed about your crooked teeth? Do you avoid smiling because you don’t want people to see them? Ask us about clear aligners! Clear aligners offer a discreet way to straighten your smile.
Dr. Bassam Abazid offers clear aligners treatment with SureSmile® at Smile Land Family Dental in San Antonio, TX. SureSmile is a cosmetic dental treatment that can improve the look and health of your smile.
How Do Metal Braces Compare to Clear Aligners?
Traditional metal braces are great for moderate to severe orthodontic issues. However, clear aligners can offer more benefits if you need mild to moderate orthodontic care. Traditional braces need more frequent office visits for adjustments. They can pinch or irritate your gums with wires, and you have to avoid sticky, crunchy, and hard foods.
Clear aligners, on the other hand, require fewer office visits since they don’t need adjustments. They fit over your teeth and gums with little irritation and you can remove them to eat and drink.
If you want orthodontic treatment but don’t like the idea of metal braces, clear aligners are a good choice. They are more discreet than braces with colored elastics, metal wires, and brackets. You can also brush and floss your teeth easily without braces in the way.
SureSmile clear aligners offer even more benefits. You might finish treatment in less time than with braces or other aligners. At the same time, SureSmile can treat multiple orthodontic problems, including:
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Open bite
- Crossbite
- Tooth gaps or spaces
- Overcrowding
- Crooked teeth
If you have any of these orthodontic problems but don’t want braces, SureSmile could be the right treatment for you.
Clear Aligners in San Antonio, TX
SureSmile uses clear aligners to straighten crooked teeth, close gaps, and create even bites. If you’re an adult with mild to moderate orthodontic problems, SureSmile can help you. It offers a more comfortable treatment than traditional metal braces with fewer visits and restrictions.
Dr. Abazid takes impressions of your teeth to create SureSmile aligners. These impressions go to a dental lab, which makes custom aligners from clear but durable plastic. Once the first set is ready, Dr. Abazid will check that they fit properly. SureSmile is pay-as-you-go, so you will get new aligners as needed.
You will switch to a new pair of aligners every two weeks. Each set will gradually move your teeth into a straighter position over time. Dr. Abazid and our team will support you throughout the entire process. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or issues during your treatment.
Caring for SureSmile Aligners
To care for your aligners, take them out when you eat or drink to prevent stains or damage. Since the aligners are removable, you can still enjoy crunchy or hard foods. However, be sure to clean your teeth and aligners before putting them back in your mouth.
You can clean your aligners with a mouthguard soak or with liquid soap and lukewarm water. For the best results, wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day. Wearing them consistently will help you finish your treatment on time.
Here are more tips on how to maintain clear aligners:
- Brush and Floss Regularly: Keep your teeth and gums healthy by brushing and flossing after every meal before putting your aligners back in. This helps avoid food particles getting trapped between your teeth and the aligners.
- Use a Soft Toothbrush: Clean your aligners gently with a soft toothbrush to avoid scratching them. Avoid using toothpaste, as it can be abrasive and create tiny scratches where bacteria can grow.
- Rinse Aligners Often: Rinse your aligners with water throughout the day to keep them clean and clear.
- Store Them Safely: When not in use, keep your aligners in their protective case so you don’t damage or lose them. Never wrap them in a napkin because you might accidentally throw them away.
- Avoid Hot Water: Don’t rinse or soak your aligners in hot water! Hot water can warp the plastic and affect the fit, making them useless.
- Avoid Colored Drinks: Drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine can stain your aligners. If you consume these, remove your aligners first and rinse your mouth afterward.
By following these tips, you can keep your clear aligners in great shape and ensure a smooth treatment process for a straight, beautiful smile.
Wearing Retainers After SureSmile
Once you finish SureSmile treatment, you need to wear a retainer. Wearing the SureSmile retainer for 12 months after treatment will keep your teeth straight. Retainers also stop your teeth from moving back.
If you don’t wear your retainer, your teeth can shift out of their straight position. Sometimes, if your teeth move, you might need more orthodontic treatment. If you lose your retainer or need a new one, please call our office. We want to help you keep your smile looking great, so we will help as best we can.
SureSmile FAQs
Do you have questions about SureSmile? Read answers to commonly asked questions about SureSmile aligners.
How long is SureSmile treatment?
On average, it can take 12 or more months to complete a SureSmile treatment. Your treatment time will depend on how long you wear your aligners, how you care for your aligners, and the extent of your orthodontic issues.
Can you drink water with SureSmile?
Yes, you can drink water while wearing SureSmile aligners. However, do not drink hot water, because hot temperatures can warp the aligners. Instead, drink cool or room-temperature water with SureSmile. You should remove your aligners to drink hot water, tea, coffee, and other hot drinks.
Do you wear SureSmile aligners all day?
Dr. Abazid recommends wearing your SureSmile aligners 20 to 22 hours a day. You will remove your SureSmile aligners when you:
- Eat food
- Drink anything other than cool water
- Brush and floss your teeth
- Clean your aligners
You might have to wear SureSmile while you sleep. If you grind or clench your teeth at night from bruxism, we won’t suggest this treatment for you.
How is SureSmile different from Invisalign?
Invisalign and SureSmile both use clear aligners to straighten teeth. However, SureSmile can be less costly than Invisalign and offers fewer office visits.
SureSmile and Invisalign also use different materials. While SureSmile uses Essix ACE, Invisalign uses SmartTrack®. SureSmile can address severe malocclusion, and Invisalign offers attachments if patients require more pressure on some teeth than others.
Is SureSmile worth it?
SureSmile is a great choice for those who want a cheaper alternative to other clear aligners and a quicker path to a straighter smile. Patients using SureSmile can see results in just 12 months, which is faster than metal braces.
SureSmile needs fewer office visits and has no food restrictions during treatment. Like other orthodontic options, you will need to wear retainers after treatment to keep your teeth straight.
Does dental insurance cover SureSmile?
Your dental insurance might cover some or all of the cost of SureSmile clear aligners, but it depends on your specific plan. We recommend contacting your dental insurance provider to ask about coverage for SureSmile aligners. We can also help you find which parts of the treatment your insurance covers.
Straighten your teeth with clear aligners today. Ask us about treatment with clear aligners in our San Antonio office. Call Smile Land Family Dental today at 210-939-9689. You can also schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Abazid on our website.