Traditional metal braces are a tried and proven way to address dental misalignments, but the irremovable metal parts can be frustrating and cumbersome for some patients. Thankfully, SureSmile clear aligners can straighten out mild to moderate alignment issues like gaps, crowding, underbites, overbites, crossbites, and open bites using removable and virtually invisible clear aligners. Here’s a brief guide to how the treatment process works from your consultation until your realignment is complete.
The Consultation
During your consultation for treatment, your dentist will evaluate your oral health and bite alignment and discuss your needs and preferences for the process. Any oral infections will have to be resolved before SureSmile treatment can begin, so your provider may have to schedule you for appropriate restorative procedures if any problems are detected. When your smile is ready, your dentist will take detailed measurements of them so your aligners can be precisely customized to fit your teeth.
Wearing Your Aligners
Your dentist will provide you with sequences of customized clear aligners designed to fit snugly over your teeth while exerting the consistent pressure needed to shift them into healthier positions. You’ll need to wear each set of aligners for at least twenty hours daily for about two weeks before switching to the next set in the sequence, and each pair will pick the realignment up where the last left off. Neglecting to wear your aligners sufficiently each day will lead to treatment delays that can be costly as well as frustrating.
Your Retainer
After your SureSmile treatment is over, you will need to wear a customized retainer to prevent your teeth from drifting back toward their original positions. It’s crucial to consistently wear your appliance for several years after the treatment so your teeth can be held in position while the tissue supporting them resolidifies around their roots. However, it’s ideal to continue wearing retainers for life to prevent dental drift.
The SureSmile process is an effective, comfortable, and discreet alternative to traditional orthodontic methods. Consulting with your dentist can help you find out if clear aligners can be right for you.
About the Author
Dr. Shariq Zafrani earned his dental degree at the Dental College of Georgia and is a proud member of the American Dental Association and the Georgia Dental Association. His office in Lawrenceville offers general, emergency, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry as well as SureSmile services. If you’d like to learn more about the SureSmile process or schedule a consultation for treatment, contact the office online or dial (770) 995-7616.