SureSmile®

SureSmile® is a clear aligner system that straightens teeth using a series of custom, removable trays designed from digital records of your mouth. Unlike traditional metal braces that rely on brackets and wires, SureSmile® uses virtually invisible plastic aligners that apply controlled forces to move teeth incrementally.

The discreet nature of the aligners makes them a popular option for adults and teens who want orthodontic correction with less visual impact. Because the system is planned digitally, clinicians can visualize movements and sequence adjustments to address a wide range of alignment issues with predictable steps.

Treatment begins with a clinical exam and precise digital records, including intraoral scans and photographs, which are used to create a tailored treatment plan. Those digital records enable the laboratory and your dentist to map tooth movements and fabricate a series of aligners that guide your teeth toward the desired positions.

Patients wear each aligner for a prescribed interval, typically changing trays as directed, while periodically visiting the office for progress checks and adjustments as needed. The digital planning and incremental aligner sequence help ensure movements occur safely and efficiently under professional supervision.

Good candidates are patients with mild to moderate crowding, spacing, or bite alignment issues who are committed to wearing aligners as prescribed. People who need limited corrections, such as a single rotated tooth, as well as those pursuing comprehensive alignment can often be treated with SureSmile® when clinically appropriate.

A thorough evaluation by a dentist or orthodontic-trained clinician is required to determine candidacy because certain complex cases may still require traditional orthodontics or adjunctive treatments. Your provider will review oral health, bite relationships, and any restorative needs before recommending SureSmile® as part of a coordinated treatment plan.

Treatment length varies depending on the complexity and goals of each case, but many patients complete alignment within several months to a year. The number of aligners prescribed, the severity of tooth movement required, and patient compliance with wear time all influence the overall timeline.

Regular follow-up appointments allow your clinician to monitor progress and make refinements if necessary, which helps keep the plan on schedule. Your provider will give an individualized estimate during the consultation and adjust that plan as treatment progresses.

Your initial consultation includes a review of your dental and medical history, a clinical exam, and digital imaging such as intraoral scans and photographs to document current alignment. The clinician will discuss your aesthetic and functional goals, evaluate bite relationships, and explain whether SureSmile® is an appropriate option for your needs.

If you move forward, a personalized treatment plan is developed from the digital data and reviewed with you so you understand the expected sequence of movements and follow-up schedule. At Vaccaro Aesthetic and Family Dentistry in Green Village, NJ, we walk patients through each step and answer questions about daily wear, hygiene, and monitoring to ensure comfort and clarity.

Caring for aligners involves regular cleaning, avoiding hot liquids that can warp the trays, and storing them in a protective case when not being worn. You should remove aligners to eat and drink anything other than water and brush and floss your teeth before reinserting each tray to minimize staining and maintain gum health.

Cleaning the aligners daily with a soft toothbrush and a nonabrasive cleaner recommended by your clinician helps prevent buildup and odors. Routine dental cleanings and periodontal evaluations remain important during treatment to support overall oral health and monitor the tissues around moving teeth.

SureSmile® aligners are made from smooth, medical-grade plastic designed to fit snugly over teeth and minimize soft-tissue irritation. Because tooth movement is achieved through planned, incremental steps, many patients report less discomfort than they might experience with adjustments to traditional braces.

Safety depends on an appropriate clinical evaluation and adherence to the prescribed wear schedule, along with periodic professional monitoring. Your dentist will assess tooth and root positions throughout treatment to ensure movement remains within safe and healthy limits.

You may notice a brief adjustment period when you first begin wearing aligners, which can cause minor changes in speech such as a slight lisp that typically resolves within a few days. Most patients adapt quickly and find that aligners have minimal impact on daily activities, including eating, exercising, and social interactions.

Because aligners are removable, you can take them out for important events or activities and then resume normal wear as directed, though consistent wear is essential for achieving planned results. Your clinician will provide guidance on wear-time expectations and strategies to manage any temporary speech or comfort concerns.

After active alignment is complete, retention is necessary to preserve tooth positions and prevent gradual relapse over time. Retainers—either removable or fixed—are commonly prescribed and custom-made to support the new alignment based on the final digital records.

Your clinician will recommend a retention schedule tailored to your case and monitor the long-term stability of your results during follow-up visits. Good oral hygiene and adherence to the retention plan are key factors in maintaining a stable, healthy smile after treatment.

The practice uses advanced digital tools such as intraoral scanning, digital radiography, and three-dimensional imaging when indicated to capture accurate records for treatment planning. These technologies allow for precise measurement, visualization of tooth movement, and a streamlined workflow from diagnosis to aligner fabrication.

Digital planning enhances communication between the dentist, laboratory technicians, and patients by showing the proposed sequence of movements and expected outcomes. Combining modern imaging with clinical expertise helps ensure a coordinated, evidence-based approach to SureSmile® care.