Sure Smile – South Portland, ME

Crowded Teeth

“Does Sure Smile fix crowded teeth?” This is hands-down one of the most asked questions about this orthodontic treatment, particularly among patients who are struggling with low self-esteem and tooth decay due to overcrowding. The good news is that the answer is usually “yes” for patients with mild to moderate cases. If we determine that clear aligners are right for you, then we’ll create a custom series to move your teeth into their ideal places.

Gaps Between Teeth

Even small spaces between your teeth can trap bits of food, which can attract the wrong kind of attention to your smile as well as put your teeth and gums at risk. If this sounds all too familiar, then take the next step: schedule a Sure Smile consultation at our South Portland dental office. If we determine that you’re a good candidate, then we can close these gaps with clear aligners, improving your self-esteem and simplifying your oral hygiene routine in the process.

Overbite

The way your upper and lower teeth match up plays a pivotal role in how efficiently you can chew. It also determines how quickly your teeth succumb to wear and tear. So, if your upper ones extend beyond your lower ones more than they should, don’t take the “wait and see” approach. Instead, come to our office so we can determine if we can move your teeth and bite into their ideal positions with clear, comfortable, and custom-made aligners.

Underbite

When your lower teeth sit in front of your upper ones, several problems can arise, including trouble chewing properly, chronic jaw pain, and low self-esteem. Fortunately, Sure Smile has proven to be an effective solution. This means that most patients who want to pursue a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing smile can usually do so with the clear aligners!

Crossbite

If you have a crossbite, you’ll be happy to hear that Sure Smile may be able to realign your teeth so that you are able to bite and chew as effectively and comfortably as possible. If that’s the case for you, then we can use a custom series of clear aligners to gently and gradually create a healthier bite. Oftentimes, it only takes 12-18 months to achieve the desired results, too!

Open Bite

When you bite down, are your upper and lower teeth unable to meet? If so, you may have an open bite. Like the other orthodontic problems listed here, several issues can arise if you don’t get the orthodontic treatment you need, including premature wear and tear on certain teeth. So, don’t take the “wait and see” approach. Instead, schedule a consultation with us ASAP!

More Subtle Appearance

Of course, one of the most obvious benefits of Sure Smile in South Portland is that the aligners are virtually invisible. As a result, you don’t have to feel self-conscious about your braces; no one will notice them, unless they know what to look for. The key to keeping them clear is proper care and maintenance, so make sure to take good care of both your teeth and your trays on your path to a straighter smile.

Hassle-Free Dental Care

To put it simply, taking care of your smile is much simpler when you don’t have to maneuver around brackets and wires. With Sure Smile, you can take your aligners off, rinse them with clean, cool water, and place them in their case. Then, you can brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash like usual.

Tip: If your aligners need a deeper clean, soak them in a dentist-approved cleaning solution while you complete your oral hygiene regimen.

No Dietary Restrictions

With the ability to remove the aligners, you have basically no dietary restrictions with Sure Smile. In fact, the only rule is that you must take them off before eating or drinking anything other than water. Outside of that, just do your best to limit your intake of cavity-causing foods, like ice cream. Instead, focus on eating lots of nutrient-dense, well-balanced meals.

Less Time in the Treatment Chair

With traditional braces, patients need to commit to monthly adjustment appointments. That’s not the case with Sure Smile because you can progress through several sets of aligners at home. Then, every 6-8 weeks, you’ll return to our office so we can monitor the movement of your teeth. If they are moving as anticipated, then there’s a good chance that you’ll be in and out of our office in 30 minutes or less, too!

Tip: Always wear your current aligners to your progress visits. You’d be surprised how quickly your teeth can move out of alignment!

Shorter Average Treatment Timeline

Lastly, the average treatment timeline with clear aligners in South Portland is only 12-18 months. Conversely, traditional braces usually take 2-3 years. So, if you want a straighter smile for a wedding or another important event that’s coming up, you should consider Sure Smile. During your consultation, we will determine if you’re a good candidate and, if you are, provide you with an estimate of your treatment timeline.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Sure Smile

When we calculate the price of Sure Smile, we take many things into account. For instance, we consider how severe your misalignment is and the estimated number of aligners it will take to correct it. When we create your personalized treatment plan, we can figure out how many aligners are needed.

Another issue that affects the cost is your compliance. If you don’t wear the aligners as directed, or if you lose aligners frequently, your treatment plan may become delayed or you may need to order more aligners, increasing the cost.

Sure Smile vs. Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?

Clear aligners have been around long enough that some companies have created discounted products. However, although they promise a lower cost, these mail-in aligners have many more risks that could end up costing you more in the long run. For instance, instead of a professional taking your impressions, you do it yourself at home. Unfortunately, if you make the slightest mistake in your putty impressions, it could mean that your aligners don’t fit properly or that your treatment plan is inaccurate. In this case, you’ll need to meet with a dentist anyway, costing you more money. It’s safer, more efficient, and potentially more cost effective to work directly with Dr. Parét, so you know you’ll get amazing results from the start.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Sure Smile?

Most dental insurance plans cover part of the cost of orthodontic care, but not all of those apply to treatment with clear aligners. You’ll need to contact your provider to check the coverage, or you can reach out to our team for guidance. We know it can be difficult to understand some of the insurance language, and we are happy to help clarify the benefits you have, maximize what your insurance does cover, and explain what you need to pay out-of-pocket.

Options for Making Sure Smile Affordable

At Mind Your Mouth, we think everyone should be financially able to have a healthy, straight smile. If you don’t have insurance, we have a simple solution—our membership plan. This alternative includes all the preventive services insurance provides but along with it comes a 15 percent discount on all other services, including cosmetic and Sure Smile treatment. Not even insurance does that! Regardless of your insurance/membership plan situation, you may wish to divide the overall cost into smaller payments. To accomplish this, we can help you apply for low-interest financing through CareCredit.

Will my insurance cover the cost of Sure Smile treatment?

Unfortunately, most insurance plans don’t cover the cost of orthodontic treatment for adults, and rarely cover clear aligners. Fortunately, at Mind Your Mouth, both of our in-house membership plans include 15 percent off discounts on all of our services. We also work with CareCredit, a trusted third-party financer, to provide low monthly payment plans for treatments.

How do I maintain my clear aligners?

It’s crucial to keep your aligners clean throughout your treatment to minimize your chances of developing common oral health problems like cavities or gum disease. In your Sure Smile welcome kit, we’ll provide you with some products to keep your trays clean. It’s important to rinse them after each time you eat and clean them with clear liquid soap each day to keep bacteria from accumulating on them. If you have any questions about aligner maintenance, feel free to give our team a call.

Will I need to wear a retainer after Sure Smile treatment?

Just like with any other orthodontic treatment, you’ll likely need to wear an aligner after you’ve completed the process and achieved a straighter smile. The length of time that you’ll need to wear it for, along with how long you’ll need to wear it for will be determined by your dentist in South Portland at your last Sure Smile appointment.

How long will my treatment take?

The length of your treatment will depend on a couple of different factors, including how severe your orthodontic issues are and whether you stay on track with your initial plan. The unique thing about Sure Smile is that it has been shown to straighten teeth in 40 percent less time than traditional orthodontics, which means two years of traditional braces may only take about 12 to 15 months with Sure Smile clear aligners.

How many aligners will I need?

The number of clear trays that you’ll need throughout your journey will depend on the length of the treatment and the severity of your orthodontic issues. You’ll likely be changing yours out every two weeks throughout the process, but each patient’s plan looks different.

Does Sure Smile Hurt?

It’s not uncommon for patients considering Sure Smile in South Portland to be concerned about any potential discomfort. If you’re in the same boat, then you’ll be happy to know that clear aligners aren’t just more comfortable than traditional braces, they are comfortable in general! In addition to being custom-made to fit your mouth specifically, the smooth, high-quality aligners don’t need metal brackets or wires to guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions.

Note: it is common to experience some soreness from the pressure of your teeth moving, especially in the day or two following your transition to a new aligner. If any discomfort surfaces, try avoiding crunchy foods, sipping on cold water, or taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.

Can You Eat with Sure Smile?

One significant perk that comes with Sure Smile is that, unlike traditional braces, there aren’t any dietary restrictions! From apples to popcorn, you’ll be free to enjoy all of your favorite foods. The only “rule” is that you must always remove your aligners beforehand. Chewing with them in would not only be ineffective, but it would also warp or crack the trays, rendering them virtually useless. That’s why patients are encouraged to remove their aligners when eating or drinking anything other than water.

Can You Get Sure Smile After Braces?

It’s very possible! In fact, Sure Smile can be incorporated into nearly every treatment plan. If you’re struggling with severe malocclusion, then our South Portland dentist may recommend starting with traditional braces and then transitioning to clear aligners. If you’re interested in discreet orthodontics, but an oral health problem currently stands in your way, then Dr. Parét can start your treatment with the appropriate restorative care. In short, if you’re curious if you’re a candidate for Sure Smile, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with our team so we can find out!

Does Sure Smile Give You a Lisp?

Another common concern that patients have is that their clear aligners will give them a lisp. Good news: the large majority of patients don’t experience any changes to their speaking patterns, even in the initial stages! Those that do have a slight learning curve can have peace of mind that it’s temporary. There are also several steps you can take to expedite the process, including reading out loud. Remember, this wouldn’t be one of the most sought-after teeth-straightening solutions if it consistently resulted in lisps.

What Should I Do If I Broke an Aligner?

If your aligner breaks, call our office right away. Depending on where you are in your treatment plan, we may recommend wearing your previous trays or moving onto the next set. One of the best things to do moving forward is to take additional measures to prevent another broken aligner. Placing them in their designated storage case when you eat, putting them on a soft towel while you complete your oral hygiene routine, and removing them before you eat or drink anything other than water are great places to start.