SureSmile® Braces – Lacey, WA
Effective Orthodontic Treatment & Permanent Results
At Peterson & Cammack Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, traditional braces are not the only way to straighten teeth. Instead, with the help of SureSmile in Lacey, we can realign your teeth without the bulky metal brackets and wires. Similar to other clear aligner systems, this unique orthodontic treatment offers optimal flexibility and functionality without impacting your day-to-day life. To learn more about SureSmile braces, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Why Choose Peterson & Cammack Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for SureSmile® Braces?
- Custom-Tailored Dentistry for Patients of All Ages
- Experienced Team of Two Dentists
- Flexible Financing Available
What Are SureSmile® Aligners?
SureSmile is a different type of clear aligner system that conveniently moves your teeth in the right direction. Whether they are crooked, crowded, gapped, or you have a misaligned bite, these braces rely on advanced dental technology to create your trays so that they will apply just enough force to realign to your natural teeth.
Made from Essix® plastic, SureSmile aligners are fabricated using a 3D model of your smile. As a result, you can expect your trays to be comfortable, fully functional, and provide quick and effective results. When compared to traditional braces, your treatment time is significantly reduced (i.e., 12-15 months vs. 2-3 years on average).
How Does SureSmile® Work?
Our team will start by taking a digital scan of your smile. With high-resolution images that form to create a three-dimensional impression, the photos are uploaded using special software that allows our team to determine the trajectory of your personalized plan.
Once lab technicians receive the images, they can begin to create your customized aligners according to the specifications provided. Because of how they’re made, they often require fewer refinements and adjustments as opposed to other clear aligner systems.
You’ll then receive your aligners, which you will wear for 20-22 hours each day. After a few weeks, you’ll remove them for a new set in the series. Over time, your teeth will gradually move into proper alignment.
Who is a Candidate for SureSmile® Aligners?
Individuals who have crooked, gapped, overcrowded teeth, or a severe bite misalignment may be a good match for SureSmile braces. Capable of treating minor and severe orthodontic cases, it allows you to avoid the unpleasantness of metal brackets and wires and instead, embrace a new way of straightening your smile that is discreet, quick, and highly effective.
Meeting with our team for an initial consultation is essential, as we will survey your smile and determine if any underlying problems must first be addressed (i.e., tooth decay, gum disease, etc.). If you’re considered a good candidate for treatment, we’ll quickly get to work to fabricate a treatment plan and start you on your journey to a straighter, healthier, more beautiful smile.
Understanding the Cost of SureSmile®
If you’re interested in beginning your journey towards a straighter smile, you’ll naturally want to know more about the cost of SureSmile® in Lacy. Just as no two smiles are exactly the same, neither are any two SureSmile® treatments, which means the price can vary widely from patient to patient. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you’re expected to begin treatment without knowing how much it will cost you! During your initial consultation, we’ll review a variety of factors to create a custom estimate for how much you can expect to pay.
Factors that Affect the Cost of SureSmile®
During your initial consultation, we’ll review a few key factors to create your personalized estimate, including:
- Your current oral health: Your mouth needs to be healthy before beginning orthodontic treatment, so if you have cavities or gum disease, the cost of treating these conditions will naturally add to the final cost of your SureSmile® treatment.
- Your age: While younger and older patients alike can get SureSmile®, treatment will typically go faster for children and teenagers whose teeth and jaws are still developing. As an adult or senior, your teeth will be firmly set in place. A SureSmile® treatment will be able to reposition them, but it will likely cost a little more time and money.
- The severity of your orthodontic issues: As you may suspect, the more severe your orthodontic issues are, the more expensive it will be to treat them.
Your commitment to your treatment plan will also play a key role in the price of your SureSmile® treatment. For example, if you frequently lose or break your aligners, you’ll need to pay extra for replacements. Additionally, if you don’t meet your 20-22 hour daily wear time, your treatment may not stay on track, which could increase its length and price.
SureSmile® VS Smile Direct Club™: Which Costs More?
When researching your orthodontic treatment options, you may come across companies like Smile Direct Club™. These mail-in aligner systems boast a quick and easy way to get a straighter smile without setting foot in a dentist’s office! Unfortunately, like many things that sound too good to be true, there are serious hidden drawbacks to this system. Without the direct oversight of a trained professional, there are plenty of parts of your orthodontic treatment that could go wrong. In fact, there are many Smile Direct Club™ patients who ended up with worse orthodontic issues than when they started, and they needed to go see an orthodontist in-person for retreatment.
Instead of risking your smile and wasting your money, come see us for a professional SureSmile® treatment. You’ll be investing in your peace of mind as well as personalized results you can count on!
Options for Making SureSmile® Affordable
At Peterson & Cammack Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we do everything we can to make high-quality dental care affordable for our patients. Our front desk staff will be happy to review the details of your dental insurance policy to ensure your benefits are being maximized and your out-of-pocket expenses are being minimized. We’ll also review your payment options and work with you to create a treatment plan that fits into your budget. The happier, healthier, and straighter smile you deserve may be much more affordable than you think!
SureSmile® FAQs
As you embark on your pursuit of a straighter, healthier smile, you may have many questions as it pertains to SureSmile in Lacey. Although similar to other clear aligner systems, this unique solution offers, on average, a shorter treatment time, making it a much more intriguing and desirable orthodontic option. But before you schedule your first appointment with our dental team, we encourage you to review the following questions commonly asked by patients. If you have additional concerns or want to learn more, contact our office.
Will SureSmile affect my speech?
It is natural for your SureSmile aligners to temporarily affect your speech. When you first start wearing your new trays, it is possible that you might have a slight lisp for the first few days. Your tongue and remaining oral structures must become accustomed to the aligners, but the lisp should not last longer than 1-2 days, so you do not need to worry about it impacting your day-to-day life.
Is SureSmile treatment painful?
Similar to how it affects your speech, it is normal for there to be some mild discomfort when initially receiving your SureSmile clear aligners. The reason for this is that you now have foreign objects inside your mouth that are applying just enough pressure to move your teeth into proper alignment. While the idea of being uncomfortable may not sound pleasing, the important thing to remember is that the process is working. Also, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce discomfort.
Will I be required to wear attachments?
Not necessarily. Although SureSmile does make it possible for patients to wear certain attachments throughout treatment, you may or may not need them. It will be up to our dental team to decide the extent of your care as well as if your teeth need additional assistance to move in the right direction.
When finished with SureSmile, how can I prevent my teeth from shifting?
Once you finish your SureSmile treatment, there is a good chance you’ll be required to wear a retainer. These appliances make it possible for your teeth to remain in their new location until they become permanently settled. Otherwise, they may shift back into their original positions, effectively undoing all your hard work. You can expect your cosmetic dentist in Lacey to explain how long you’ll be required to wear a retainer as well as when you can move from full-time wear to only nighttime.
Will dental insurance cover the cost of SureSmile?
Ultimately, the answer to this question depends on your individual insurance plan. Some policies do offer orthodontic coverage up to 50%; however, there may be terms and conditions you must review. Specific patient ages and types of orthodontic treatment are often the most common stipulations, but if you need help identifying the details, a member of our team will be happy to assist. We’ll also go over additional payment options (i.e., flexible financing through CareCredit) should your insurance not cover the cost.