SureSmile Clear Aligners – Hoover, AL
A Clear Option for Straightening Your Grin
Are you looking for a way to correct your misaligned teeth for the sake of your appearance and your oral health? If so, you may have already looked into getting clear aligners. You have likely heard of Invisalign, but it’s important to know that it’s not the only option. At Moulton Dentistry of Hoover, we’re proud to offer SureSmile clear aligners as an Invisalign alternative! Please give us a call if you’re ready to begin the process of creating a beautifully straight smile with SureSmile in Hoover.
Why Choose Moulton Dentistry of Hoover for SureSmile Clear Aligners?
- Completely Personalized Clear Aligners
- Dentist That Takes His Time with You
- Team That Forms Deep Relationships with Patients
How SureSmile Works
At the beginning of your SureSmile treatment, you’ll receive a number of clear aligners made out of special plastic. Each aligner is made to gradually change the position of your teeth via gentle pressure. After about two weeks of wearing the same aligners, you’ll switch to the next set. This process is repeated until your smile has reached its proper alignment.
Since the aligners are transparent and sit flush against the teeth, most people won’t notice them unless they see you take them out or put them in. And like with any type of clear aligner, you can take SureSmile out for meals, so your diet will not be restricted during your treatment.
Who Can SureSmile Help?
Fortunately, SureSmile clear aligners are versatile, so they can help plenty of patients who are interested in leaving crooked and gapped teeth in the past. If you are interested in finding out if you’re a good candidate, then the best thing to do is schedule a consultation with us! In the meantime, you can read on to learn more on the topic of who SureSmile can help.
Crowded Teeth
If your teeth overlap, we have good news: SureSmile may be the solution you’ve been looking for. If we determine that you’re a candidate, then we will get to work on your custom treatment plan. Each set of aligners will move your teeth closer to their ideal positions, and – before you know it – you’ll have the straight smile you’ve always wanted!
Gaps Between Teeth
Are there noticeable gaps between your teeth? If so, don’t hesitate to explore your orthodontic treatment options, especially since this orthodontic problem can negatively impact your self-esteem as well as your oral health. The sooner you come in for a consultation, the sooner we can determine if SureSmile clear aligners are right for you.
Overbite
What if your bite isn’t aligned properly? Is SureSmile still an option? It’s possible! After all, clear aligners have proven to be effective at addressing mild to moderate cases. So, if your upper teeth jut out beyond your lower ones more than they should, you shouldn’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us to see if you’re a good candidate.
Underbite
What if your lower teeth sit in front of your upper ones? This bite problem (known as an underbite) can lead to several problems – from trouble chewing properly to chronic jaw pain. For this reason, we don’t recommend taking the “wait and see” approach. Instead, we recommend scheduling a consultation with us to see if clear aligner treatment is a solution!
Crossbite
Do some of your upper teeth sit in front of your lower ones? If so, there’s a good chance that you have a crossbite. Unfortunately, even minor cases of this bite problem can make it difficult to smile with confidence, chew efficiently, and enunciate clearly. There is good news though: SureSmile clear aligners may be able to bring your bite into proper alignment, improving everything from your oral health to your confidence in the process.
Open Bite
Another common bite problem is an open bite, which is when the upper and lower teeth don’t come together evenly. Like the others on this list, even mild cases can negatively impact the look and health of your smile. So, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us to see if you’re a candidate for SureSmile! The sooner you do, the sooner we can determine if clear aligner treatment is right for you.
Living with SureSmile Aligners
Are you curious what day-to-day life will look like with clear aligners? If so, you’re in the right place. Below, we’re covering some helpful information on the topic, including what you need to know about wearing your aligners and how to keep them stain and odor-free. So, read on!
Wearing Your Trays
One important guideline you need to stick to is wearing your aligners for a minimum of 20 hours a day. If you can wear them more than that, great! Basically, the more you wear them, the less likely it is that you will fall off-track with your treatment plan. So, do your best to only take them off when it’s absolutely necessary, like before eating a meal or snack.
Cleaning Your Aligners
Naturally, you don’t want your aligners to develop unsightly stains or an unpleasant odor. That would draw unwanted attention to your smile and make wearing them for 20+ hours a day difficult! Fortunately, you can keep yours in pristine condition with a few simple habits, including using clean, cool water to rinse them every time you take them off.
Eating & Drinking
One of the many upsides of choosing clear aligners over traditional braces is that there aren’t any dietary restrictions. As long as you remove your trays first, you can eat whatever you’d like! Just do your best to eat healthy, well-balanced meals the majority of the time and exercise caution with hard, sticky, and sugary foods in an effort to keep your teeth and gums decay and infection-free.
Losing or Damaging a Tray
Both of these situations can result in a bit of anxiety and stress, but don’t worry – we’re just a phone call away. Once we know more about your situation, we can take a look at where you are in the teeth-straightening process and determine the best way to move forward.
Important note: Do NOT use superglue in an attempt to repair cracks and chips. It’s also crucial that you don’t move onto the next set of aligners in the series if you are still a week or more away from that transition.
Attending Progress Visits
With traditional braces, patients need to commit to monthly adjustment appointments to stay on-track with their treatment plan. That’s not the case with SureSmile! Instead, the progress visits are every 6-8 weeks, and they are often 20 minutes or less. So, you can see why busy students, parents, and professionals love this orthodontic treatment.
Benefits of SureSmile Clear Aligners
You might know that you’re ready to say goodbye to crooked or spaced-out teeth, but unsure which orthodontic treatment is right for you. In that case, we recommend reading through a few of the many benefits of SureSmile clear aligners! Below, you will learn exactly why this discreet teeth-straightening treatment is so popular.
Shorter Average Treatment Timelines
If you recently got engaged, you have a big trip next summer, or there is another milestone event in your future, wearing metal brackets and wires for the next two or three years may not be appealing. We have some good news for you: SureSmile treatments are often shorter than traditional braces and other clear aligner brands! When you come in for a consultation, we will provide you with an estimate of your treatment timeline and give you helpful tips on what to do to avoid falling off-track.
Easy Dental Care
With traditional braces, patients often need to use interproximal toothbrushes, pre-threaded floss, and other special oral hygiene tools. That’s not the case with SureSmile! Since there aren’t any brackets or wires to worry about, it will be easier to keep your teeth clean. Not only does this save you time, but it also reduces your risk of common oral health problems, like tooth decay, which would bring your teeth-straightening journey to a temporary stop.
Discreet Aligners
There are several benefits of traditional braces, including the fact that they can correct severe cases of malocclusion. That said, they aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing. For that reason, patients with metal brackets and wires often don’t feel confident smiling until the very end of their orthodontic treatment. Conversely, patients with SureSmile can display their gorgeous grins because there aren’t any dark-colored, noticeable components – the aligners are completely see-through!
No Soft Tissue Irritation
Another drawback of traditional braces is that they aren’t the most comfortable. Don’t worry – SureSmile made improvements in that department as well. Instead of using metal brackets and wires, your teeth are gently guided into their properly aligned positions with a series of clear aligners. Since they are custom-designed for you, they are quite comfortable. In fact, it’s very common for patients to go through their entire orthodontic treatment without experiencing any soft tissue irritation!
Freedom to Eat What You Want
Lastly, SureSmile doesn’t require you to make any changes to your diet. Throughout your teeth-straightening journey, you’ll be able to enjoy all of your favorites without fear of an orthodontic emergency. Of course, if your teeth are a bit sore, you should avoid crunchy, hard, and sticky foods. Similarly, we recommend keeping starchy and sugary snacks to a minimum in an effort to avoid cavities.
Understanding the Cost of SureSmile
The cost of SureSmile clear aligners depends on a few factors, such as the extent of your dental misalignment and how well you comply with treatment directions. During your consultation, we can share specific pricing information and help you understand your payment options, such as insurance and financing. SureSmile can be a worthwhile investment in your oral health and confidence!
Factors that Affect the Cost of SureSmile
The cost of SureSmile can be affected by:
- The severity of your dental misalignment. This is the biggest factor that affects the cost of SureSmile. It influences how many aligners you need, whether you require any special accessories, and how many times you should visit our office. Logically, the more complex and severe your misalignment is, the higher the overall cost of treatment.
- The total length of your treatment period. Longer treatments often lead to higher fees.
- Your compliance with treatment. If you do not wear your aligners as directed, it might extend your treatment timeline and lead to greater costs.
SureSmile vs. Mail-Order Aligners: Which Is the Better Value?
In recent times, mail-order clear aligner systems have become very popular. They often cost around $2,000, making them significantly cheaper than professional treatment from a dentist. However, as tempting as their low price may be, it is important to consider other factors before you commit to anything.
Sadly, many patients have been sorely disappointed by their experience with mail-order aligners. Some have even accidentally worsened their dental misalignment, and they have had to pay thousands of additional dollars just to get their oral health back on track.
In contrast, SureSmile is supervised by a dental team that is highly interested in your success. They will monitor your progress and provide support throughout your treatment. Additionally, the aligners are made of top-quality materials that are both durable and relatively comfortable. SureSmile consistently provides desirable results, making it an excellent value.
Does Dental Insurance Cover SureSmile?
Some premium dental insurance plans cover clear aligner treatments like SureSmile, while others do not. You should check the details of your policy to find out how it might apply. If it provides coverage, it might pay for up to 50% of SureSmile’s cost, up to the amount of your lifetime orthodontic maximum. Our team accepts insurance, and we will be happy to help you use your benefits to your greatest advantage.
Options for Making SureSmile Affordable
Outside of insurance, other provisions that might make it easier to afford SureSmile include:
- FSA or HSA funds. SureSmile may be an accepted use of funds from your flexible spending account or healthcare savings account.
- Membership plan. Our practice has a membership plan that provides discounts on many services.
- Most patients qualify for low-interest financing through CareCredit, a third-party lender. The application process is fast, and you may be able to choose a monthly payment amount that works with your budget.
Are you interested in learning more about SureSmile clear aligners and their cost? Get in touch with Moulton Dentistry of Hoover today. We look forward to speaking with you!
SureSmile FAQs
What Does SureSmile Look Like?
SureSmile aligners are constructed from a thin, transparent plastic that makes them very hard to see when you’re wearing them. So long as you keep your aligners clean and in good condition, they’ll be very hard to see while they’re in your mouth.
Some SureSmile patients may need additional attachments, which can be slightly less subtle. However, it should still be hard for someone to tell you’re having dental work done unless you tell them.
How Long Does SureSmile Take?
While everyone’s timeline will look a little bit different, you can expect SureSmile treatment to take anywhere from 12 to 18 months.
This depends on how severe your misalignment actually is and how well you adhere to our guidelines for treatment. And it’s worth noting that, while 18 months may certainly seem like a long time, it’s still several months shorter than traditional braces.
What if My SureSmile Broke?
While SureSmile aligners are made from a clear, durable plastic, it is possible for them to break. If you notice a small hairline fracture, you may still be able to use your tray without any issue; just be careful when removing them and watch carefully for further damage.
In the case of severe breaks, you should let us know that your aligner is no longer usable. We’ll be able to order you a replacement, and will ask you to wear a previous tray until it comes in. In some circumstances, we could also move you up to your next stage of aligners prematurely.
Can You Eat with SureSmile?
One of the nice things about your SureSmile aligners is that they’re removable. This means that you can skirt many of the dietary restrictions associated with orthodontics, as there’s no risk of what you eat affecting your trays.
The trade-off is that you have to make sure to take off your aligners before you eat. Otherwise, you could warp, damage, or stain them.