SureSmile® in Charles County, MD
Residents of Charles County and St. Mary’s County, Maryland now have the option of SureSmile® orthodontic treatment, a state-of-the-art procedure for straightening teeth, now available at Sequence Orthodontics, conveniently located in Waldorf and Leonardtown.
What is SureSmile®?
SureSmile® is a treatment that consists of customized orthodontic archwires to straighten teeth. The technique utilizes 3-D imaging, treatment planning software and a robot to design and create the wires. According to ORTHODONTICS: The Art and Practice of Dentofacial Enhancement, this procedure may decrease the length of time required to complete orthodontic treatment by 34 percent, while increasing the precision of the results.How Does SureSmile® Work?
The orthodontist takes digital images of a patient’s mouth and teeth using either a white light scanner or cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The software allows the orthodontist to individually align each tooth into its proper position. Once the orthodontist has digitally designed the smile and bite, SureSmile® software maps the most efficient and direct route for moving teeth into place and transmits this information to a robot that crafts the wires individually for each patient. The custom-crafted wire is then sent back to the orthodontist ready to be worn by the patient.
What are the Distinct Advantages of SureSmile® Over Other Orthodontic Treatments?
SureSmile® reduces the length of orthodontic treatment. While a tooth will move at the same rate regardless of the method used, the SureSmile® system actually chooses the most efficient path to move a tooth into position, due to the software’s calculation of concurrent tooth movements and the robot’s ability to craft the wire precisely to generate the prescribed movement.
SureSmile® typically requires only one or two wire changes during treatment, compared to many wire changes and/or adjustments required with conventional braces. With conventional braces, the orthodontist manually bends a series of straight wires using pliers to move the teeth individually into position. With SureSmile® all the required bends are made with a nickel titanium shape-memory wire. When this wire is placed into the patient’s mouth, their body temperature activates those custom bends to shift teeth directly into place. The end result is far more precise than with conventional braces and takes less time.
How Do I Know if SureSmile® is Right for Me?
Most orthodontic patients may make suitable candidates for SureSmile® but the best way to determine if SureSmile® is right for you is to visit Sequence Orthodontics for a consultation to determine whether you are a candidate for SureSmile®.
How Long Will I Have to Wear SureSmile®?
The length of SureSmile® treatment varies from patient to patient, typically ranging between six and 20 months. Studies have shown that SureSmile® treatment is typically 33 percent shorter than conventional treatment.
Is The SureSmile® Treatment Painful or Uncomfortable?
Treatment with SureSmile® may produce very mild soreness in the gums and jaw for a day or so after the initial wire fitting, but typically this treatment produces far less discomfort than wearing traditional metal or ceramic braces. Most patients report full comfort after a few days.
What Should I Do Next?
If you live in Charles County or St. Mary’s County, Maryland and want to learn more about SureSmile® and other state-of-the-art orthodontic treatment options, contact our Waldorf or Leonardtown office and schedule an appointment to discuss SureSmile® with our specialists at Sequence Orthodontics.