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Updated on November 24, 2023
5 min read

SureSmile Clear Aligner Treatment for Misaligned Teeth

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What is SureSmile? 

SureSmile is a brand of in-office clear aligners (invisible braces). Like Invisalign, you must visit a licensed dental professional to begin treatment.

Many people (especially adults) prefer clear aligners over conventional braces for several reasons:

  • They straighten your teeth discreetly
  • You can take the aligners out for eating, drinking, or an important event
  • They typically require fewer visits to the dentist or orthodontist than traditional braces
SureSmile Clear Aligner Treatment for Misaligned Teeth
ZocDoc

Find a Local Dentist for an Invisalign Consultation

ZocDoc can help you find a dentist in your area that:

  • Takes your insurance
  • Can schedule an appointment ASAP
  • Is close to your home
  • Is top-rated by actual customers
Local Dentist Insurance

How Does SureSmile Work?

Starting a SureSmile aligner treatment is simple. Once a SureSmile doctor in your area confirms you for the treatment, these are the steps you must follow:

  1. Set an initial appointment where your dentist will take a digital scan of your mouth
  2. Receive a customized treatment plan created by your doctor and the SureSmile Digital Lab experts
  3. After 2 to 4 weeks, go to your doctor and receive your aligners
  4. Visit your doctor for ongoing check-ins
  5. Wear retainers once your aligner treatment is finished

Before treatment, your doctor will walk you through your unique treatment plan in person. Once you approve, they will create your set of aligners.

You can expect to wear your aligners for one to two weeks before your doctor instructs you to switch to the next set. Your teeth will move to their ideal position a few millimeters at a time. 

How Much Does SureSmile Cost?

The average cost of a SureSmile treatment is between $3,000 and $4,000. Complex cases cost more because treatment takes longer.

The cost of SureSmile aligners ultimately depends on the level of treatment needed. Some people require more or less treatment.2

The total cost of your new smile depends on the treatment plan you and your orthodontist agree on. Make sure to discuss the following with your dentist during your first consultation:

  • Cost
  • Insurance options
  • Payment plans    

Is SureSmile Covered By Insurance?

SureSmile may or may not be covered by insurance. It depends on your provider. 

Work with your dental professional to find out your insurance deductible for treatment. Many insurance companies consider a prescription for traditional braces and clear aligners to be the same.

Check with your insurance organization to see what your benefits cover or if reimbursement is possible.

Interested in straightening your teeth at home? Here are the best clear aligner companies.

SureSmile vs. Invisalign

SureSmileInvisalign
Cost$3,000 to $6,000$3,000 to $8,000
How to StartVisit a certified SureSmile doctorVisit a certified Invisalign doctor
Financing OptionsDepends on providerDepends on provider
Treatment Time6 to 18 months12 to 18 months
Treatable CasesMost mild to severeMild to severe 
Progress MonitoringIn-person visits every 4 weeks to 3 monthsIn-person visits every 6 to 8 weeks

SureSmile and Invisalign are similar treatment options:

  • They use clear aligner trays to straighten teeth
  • They use attachments, which are small, clear add-ons to help with the straightening process
  • They require in-office consultations and regular meetings with your doctor
  • Both can straighten complex bite issues, unlike at-home clear aligners

The main differences between the two are:

Treatment Time

Invisalign treatment can be anywhere from 9 to 18 months, while SureSmile takes approximately six months. However, it can be longer for more complex cases.

Cost

Invisalign costs between $3,000 and $8,000. SureSmile treatment averages around $4,000. However, the exact price of both depends on the length of treatment and the case complexity.

Treatment Plans

Invisalign aligners offer various treatment plans (depending on your needs). For example, there is an express treatment option and a treatment plan for teens that includes a compliance tracker. SureSmile does not offer as many treatment options.

SureSmile vs. At-Home Aligners

SureSmileAt-Home Aligners
Cost$3,000 to $6,000$1,200 to $2,300
How to StartVisit a certified SureSmile doctorOrder an at-home impression kit
Financing OptionsDepends on providerSet monthly pricing
Treatment Time6 to 18 months4 to 12 months
Treatable CasesMost mild to severeMild, some moderate
Progress MonitoringIn-person visits every 4 weeks to 3 months100% remote (hands-off care)

If you have mild to moderately misaligned teeth, at-home clear aligners are an alternative to SureSmile. These aligners offer a more affordable way to straighten teeth.

However, at-home aligner brands typically do not offer the same customer care and service level as brands like SureSmile that require in-office visits.

A few companies offer remote teeth straightening with aligners. Here are some examples:

ZocDoc

Find a Local Dentist for an Invisalign Consultation

ZocDoc can help you find a dentist in your area that:

  • Takes your insurance
  • Can schedule an appointment ASAP
  • Is close to your home
  • Is top-rated by actual customers
Local Dentist Insurance

Pros and Cons of SureSmile Aligners

Here are the pros and cons of SureSmile treatment:

ProsCons
Comfortable and discreetCan be more expensive than other treatments
Teeth molds are replaced by digital scansTreatment quality depends on the provider's skill
Custom digital treatment plan with projected resultsNot everyone qualifies for treatment
Treatment takes six months on average
Fewer checkups necessary

How Often Should You Wear SureSmile Aligners?

You should wear SureSmile aligners for 20 to 22 hours daily, including when you are asleep and at work or school. The two to four hours a day when you are not required to wear them are for: 

  1. Eating
  2. Drinking hot liquids like coffee or tea
  3. Brushing and flossing your teeth
  4. Cleaning the aligners
  5. A special event 

It is essential to wear your clear aligners for the prescribed time, otherwise, your treatment may be delayed. In some cases, people have to start treatment over from the beginning.

How Long Does SureSmile Treatment Take? 

The average treatment time of SureSmile is six months. However, various factors can affect treatment time. This is significantly shorter than treatment with traditional braces, which takes between 12 and 24 months.

Summary

Like Invisalign, SureSmile is a brand of in-office clear aligners (invisible braces). This treatment can straighten minor to severe cases of tooth misalignment.

The entire treatment process takes an average of six months, which is significantly quicker than the treatment time of traditional braces. Once you complete treatment, you will need to wear retainers to maintain your results.

What’s Next?

The most popular at-home clear aligner kits can be found right here:

Learn about the different brands and what they offer.

Last updated on November 24, 2023
6 Sources Cited
Last updated on November 24, 2023
All NewMouth content is medically reviewed and fact-checked by a licensed dentist or orthodontist to ensure the information is factual, current, and relevant.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only cite from current scientific research, such as scholarly articles, dentistry textbooks, government agencies, and medical journals. This also includes information provided by the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
  1. How Clear Aligners Work, SureSmile
  2. Payment options, SureSmile
  3. Sachdeva et al. “SureSmile: a report of clinical findings.” Journal of clinical orthodontics, 2005
  4. Alford et al. “Clinical outcomes for patients finished with the SureSmile™ method compared with conventional fixed orthodontic therapy.” The Angle orthodontist, 2011.
  5. Moles, R. “The SureSmile system in orthodontic practice.” Journal of clinical orthodontics, 2009.
  6. Saxe et al. “Efficiency and effectiveness of SureSmile.” World journal of orthodontics, 2010.
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