The nation’s growing interest in makeovers has increased the public’s awareness of appearance. One change that doesn’t require surgery or other extreme measures is highlighted this month. October is National Orthodontic Health Month. Orthodontic treatment can benefit your self-esteem at any age and improve your oral health. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AA0) more than 5 million people in the United States and Canada are presently receiving orthodontic treatment with one in five patients over the age of 18. The AAO also estimated that nearly 75 percent of the population could benefit from orthodontic care to correct common, often inherited problems, such as crowding, spacing and bad bites.
About SureSmile
You’ve probably heard from friends or family that wearing braces is a long-term commitment, taking more than two years on average. Not anymore.
With SureSmile orthodontic treatment, getting braces isn’t what it used to be. You’ll get outstanding results in less time with innovative SureSmile Technology.
- Spend less time in braces
- Need fewer office visits
- Receive high quality results technology
Precision Never Before Possible!
A SureSmile orthodontist provides state-of-the-art orthodontic treatment instead of bending an archwire by hand, a SureSmile doctor uses advanced 3-D imaging, virtual simulations and robotically bent archwires customized for your treatment. When the SureSmile wire is inserted into your brackets, each tooth moves directly to the prescribed position. Your teeth don’t move faster with SureSmile – they move with precision that was never before possible.
Why SureSmile
Orthodontists have used brackets and wires to straighten teeth for more than 30 years. SureSmile utilizes advanced technologies to greatly improve traditional treatment methods.
- The OraScanner is a hand-held device that functions much like a 3-D digital camera, taking pictures of your teeth using flashing white light. The images create a 3-D model in real-time during the scanning procedure.
- SureSmile software provides virtual simulations for your doctor to review planning options and determine your optimum treatment. The target position of each tooth is planned in advance so you’ll know what outcome to expect.
- Shape Memory Alloy archwires are made by heating Copper Ni-Ti Metal to over 1,000 degrees F. during the robotic customization process. These “smart” wires permanently retain your individual prescription and are activated by your own body heat.
Benefits
A beautiful smile, healthy teeth and gums aren’t the only benefits of SureSmile treatment. Other benefits include:
- Improved facial aesthetics, jaw function and tooth stability
- Improved function of your bite, which helps to prevent long-term damage to your teeth and jaw.
- Reduced risk of TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders. Properly positioned smile line, where the lower edge of the upper teeth and lower lip meet.
Treatment Comparison
SureSmile uses advanced technology to greatly improve existing ones. Unlike conventional orthodontic treatment, which relies on plaster models and X-rays, SureSmile provides your orthodontist with a detailed 3-D computer model of your teeth that precisely plots individual tooth movement throughout the treatment process. By using customized SureSmile archwires, the orthodontist can move each tooth to the target position in a direct path.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does robotic wire bending make my treatment more precise?
Instead of your orthodontist bending an archwire by hand, as in conventional treatment, SureSmile technology uses robotic hands to precisely bend archwires to your unique prescription. SureSmile provides maximum control of tooth movement, and this efficiency saves you time in treatment.
How does SureSmile Treatment Planning Software work?
Using SureSmile Treatment Planning Software, your orthodontist can evaluate treatment options, visualize the desired end result and map the path of tooth movement. The plan moves teeth in the most direct path to the target without the need for multiple adjustments. The software also allows your orthodontist to digitally evaluate progress during treatment.
What’s the average length of SureSmile treatment?
Based on a January 2009 comparison of 12,298 patients treated with SureSmile to 3,452 patients treated conventionally, SureSmile on average takes 34 percent less time than traditional braces. For example, treatments estimated to take two years with traditional orthodontics might take only 12 to 15 months using SureSmile. A number of factors can affect treatment time, and your actual length of treatment may vary.
