Thinking about straightening your teeth without metal brackets and wires? You're among the many people who consider their smile a major factor in their confidence and how they face the world.
SureSmile offers a discreet alternative to traditional braces; clear aligners that gradually shift your teeth into proper alignment while remaining virtually undetectable to others. But this treatment isn’t great for everyone. Whether you're dealing with mild crowding or more complex bite issues, understanding if SureSmile matches your specific needs saves both time and money in your journey toward a straighter smile.
Read on to see what makes someone an ideal candidate for these popular clear aligners and where to find the best cosmetic dentist in Scottsdale who can guide you through your SureSmile treatment.
What Dental Issues Can SureSmile Clear Aligners Fix?
SureSmile clear aligners are great for mild to moderate issues, including:
- Mildly crowded teeth that overlap
- Noticeable gaps between teeth
- Overbites, where the upper teeth extend too far over the lower teeth
- Underbites, where the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth
However, not every dental situation is ideal for this treatment. Those who have severe bite problems or complex jaw misalignments that require significant movement of teeth and bone are not great candidates for SureSmile. In these cases, your dentist will likely recommend traditional metal braces or additional orthodontic treatments like palatal expanders.
During a consultation with the best SureSmile dentist in Scottsdale, a qualified cosmetic dentist will use advanced 3D dental imaging technology to create a detailed map of your mouth, analyzing your specific bite patterns and tooth positions to determine whether SureSmile can successfully address your unique dental needs.
Can Teens Get SureSmile?
SureSmile treatment isn't limited by age for most teens and adults. However, younger children typically don't qualify because their mouths are still developing too rapidly. For teenagers to be considered good candidates, they should have most of their permanent teeth. This typically occurs between the ages of 12 and 14, although it varies from person to person.
On the other end of the spectrum, adults of any age can benefit from SureSmile without upper age restrictions. In fact, many adults specifically choose this treatment because it offers a discreet appearance during treatment and the flexibility to remove aligners for important meetings or special occasions.
Do You Have to Wear SureSmile All Day?
Success with SureSmile directly depends on your commitment to wearing the aligners consistently for 20 to 22 hours each day. This means having them in place throughout your normal activities and while sleeping. SureSmile patients should remove them only for eating, drinking anything besides water, and cleaning their teeth. When patients don't follow this wearing schedule, their treatment progress can stall or even reverse as teeth begin shifting back to their original positions.
Each time you remove your aligners, the clock starts ticking on that two to four-hour daily allowance. This requirement for self-discipline makes SureSmile less suitable for people who tend to be forgetful or struggle to follow treatment protocols. If you have trouble maintaining this schedule, traditional braces will ultimately deliver more predictable results for your situation.
Can You Get SureSmile if You've Had Braces Before?
For those who have abandoned their retainers after wearing braces and now face noticeable shifting, SureSmile offers a convenient second chance at alignment without drawing attention to your teeth during the correction process. The good news is that these touch-up treatments typically require fewer aligners and less time than comprehensive cases, often completing in just a few months rather than the typical year or more that a first-time orthodontic treatment usually takes.
Will SureSmile Work for People With Dental Crowns or Veneers?
Having crowns, bridges, or veneers doesn't automatically disqualify you from SureSmile treatment, though these restorations add some complexity to the process. Before starting treatment, your dentist will carefully examine all your dental restorations to ensure they're stable enough to withstand the pressure from the aligners without becoming damaged or dislodged. In some cases, they might recommend replacing older restorations after treatment to ensure everything fits perfectly with your newly aligned smile.
Do Any Lifestyle Habits Affect SureSmile Success?
Your daily habits significantly impact how well SureSmile works for you. Unlike traditional braces, you must remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything except water. This means no quick snacks or coffee breaks with aligners in place, as food and colored beverages can stain them and damage your teeth.
After meals, thorough brushing and flossing become non-negotiable parts of your routine, since any food particles trapped between teeth and aligners create the perfect environment for cavities and gum inflammation. This cleaning requirement can be challenging for individuals who snack frequently throughout the day, as each snack requires a full removal and cleaning cycle.
Smoking poses another obstacle to successful treatment. Not only does tobacco stain the clear aligners, but the frequent removal to smoke cuts into your crucial 20 to 22-hour daily wearing time. People with disciplined eating schedules who maintain excellent oral hygiene typically find SureSmile fits seamlessly into their lifestyle, while those with less structured habits may struggle with the consistent maintenance required.
Where to Find the Best Cosmetic Dentist in Scottsdale for SureSmile Clear Aligner Treatment
Straightening your smile shouldn’t mean putting your life on hold. At Kallos Dental Aesthetics, it doesn’t have to. We offer SureSmile clear aligners in our North Scottsdale office to help you achieve precise, beautiful results with less hassle and greater comfort.
Led by Dr. Cole Bisbing, our team combines advanced technology with a refined, patient-centered experience that prioritizes your goals by tailoring every detail of your treatment to your lifestyle and smile ambitions, all within a modern, relaxing space designed to make you feel at ease.
Ready to boost your confidence with a show-stopping smile from the best cosmetic dentist in Scottsdale, AZ?
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