Do you have crooked teeth that impact the look of your smile? Are you interested in clear aligners but want to know more? SureSmile® is a cosmetic dental treatment that comfortably realigns teeth.
With clear SureSmile trays, patients can straighten their misaligned smiles discretely. At Nova Dental, Dr. Stan Nova provides treatment with SureSmile clear aligners in his Gaithersburg, MD dental office. These orthodontic treatments deliver healthy, functional bites and aligned smiles.
Why Straighten Crooked Teeth?
Many people just want to straighten their teeth so that they’re happier with the look of their smiles. But crooked teeth can have serious impacts on your oral health. They’re much harder to clean because they come together at odd angles and are often cramped or crowded. Even our specialized dental tools at the office may be unable to clean them properly. You’re still at a high risk for tooth decay or gum disease, even if you do everything right.
Crooked teeth make your bite uneven. When your teeth come together, the pressure should be evenly distributed throughout all of your teeth. But when your teeth are crooked, certain teeth take on more pressure than others. These teeth are more prone to wear, decay, and chips or cracks. You’re more likely to need restorative care on these teeth.
An uneven bite is one of the top causes of TMJ disorders. When your bite is uneven, your jaw isn’t tracking how it should. The muscles and ligaments that help move the joint are strained, and the joint starts to break down. TMJ worsens if left untreated, leading to jaw popping and clicking, pain throughout your face and head, and loss of functionality in your jaw. The jaw can get stuck in certain positions or be unable to do certain movements.
Crooked teeth may seem like just an aesthetic issue, but they can cause more serious oral health problems in the future.
Metal Braces vs. Clear Aligners
Metal braces and clear aligners are the two most common ways people straighten their smiles. Many patients prefer clear aligners to the traditional braces method. They’re virtually invisible on your teeth, while metal braces have a system of metal brackets and wires that are very visible.
With SureSmile, your teeth move into position because each set of clear aligners slightly shifts your teeth further toward the end goal. You don’t have to visit the dentist as much for checkups to ensure your treatment is on track as long as you’re wearing the aligners for the correct amount of time. Metal braces require you to visit a dentist or orthodontist every month. Tightening the wires on your braces is how the teeth move into place, and it requires a dental professional.
Your aligners are removable, making eating and caring for oral health easier. You can keep your same oral healthcare routine. You just have to add cleaning the aligners to it. There are no diet restrictions, either. You can’t have sticky or hard foods with braces because they can get stuck or break the wires. You also have to learn how to properly clean around your braces. This often requires new dental tools and learning new cleaning techniques.
Treatment with clear aligners is usually shorter than that of braces. On average, you have aligners for 12-18 months, while braces treatment lasts for years. SureSmile is also usually cheaper, making it the choice for many patients.
Lastly, clear aligners are much more comfortable than metal braces. The smooth plastic material doesn’t irritate or pinch the soft tissues in your mouth. Brackets and wires rub against the inside of your cheeks and lips the entire time you have them, causing sores and irritation. You often have to use dental wax to keep the structures from rubbing.
How is SureSmile® Different From Invisalign?
Like Invisalign, SureSmile braces are clear and removable. However, SureSmile is better for patients with more complex orthodontic needs. Invisalign treats minor misalignment issues, while SureSmile can address overbites, underbites, crossbites, and other malocclusion problems.
The SureSmile technology offers variable trim lines and individual attachments, making it easier to customize the aligners. Individual attachments and cut-outs for elastic offer a hybrid between metal and clear braces. With SureSmile, patients with more moderate orthodontic problems can get a straighter smile with more discreet treatment.
SureSmile® Treatment in Gaithersburg, MD
To prepare for treatment, we take detailed scans of the smile. These scans, which we send to a dental lab, help technicians craft the SureSmile aligners. They are custom-made to slowly help position your teeth into alignment. The scans also help determine treatment time and how many necessary aligners.
On average, SureSmile treatments take 6 to 18 months. However, this time depends on each patient’s orthodontic problems and compliance with treatment. Once patients receive their first set of aligners, they will switch out each set every two weeks. The aligners gradually straighten crooked teeth over time.
Aligners do not come with dietary restrictions. However, it is important to remember not to eat or drink with clear aligners in your mouth. You can easily stain or damage your aligners this way. Instead, remove the aligners and place them in their case. After eating, brush and floss your teeth and gums, and gently clean your aligners.
Taking Care of Clear Aligners
To ensure they’re doing their job properly, taking good care of your clear aligners is important. You can start by keeping them and your teeth clean. When you remove your aligners, rinse them with cool water to remove residue and debris. Clean your aligners at least once daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild antibacterial soap or non-abrasive toothpaste. Using toothpaste with ingredients like activated charcoal can scratch and stain your aligners.
At least once a week, deep clean your aligners. Use specialized cleaning crystals or denture cleaner to soak the aligners and remove any buildup and odor-causing bacteria that haven’t been beaten by daily care. Ensure that you brush and floss your teeth each time you put the aligners in your mouth so that they aren’t holding food particles and bacteria close to your teeth. Clean your storage case, too. It doesn’t help to put your clean aligners in a dirty case.
Whenever you’re not wearing the aligners, put them in a ventilated case. Bacteria crave a warm, wet environment, so there must be ventilation. This allows you to always know where your aligners are. You won’t accidentally throw them out if they’re wrapped in a napkin while eating. Don’t store this case or your aligners in direct sunlight or near a heat source. Those can warp and distort the aligners.
Lastly, don’t eat or drink anything but water when your aligners are in. You can stain, scratch, or crack your aligners. They can’t withstand the pressure that comes with you biting down on food. Call us immediately if you notice any wear or issues with your aligners. We’ll also have regular checkups with you to ensure that treatment is progressing as it should.
Schedule a Dental Appointment
Do you have crooked teeth but don’t want braces? See if you’re a candidate for SureSmile at Nova Dental. Call us at (240) 226-1482 or request a dental consultation on our website. Please let us know if you have specific questions about treatment at your next visit. We are always here to assist our patients.
