SureSmile Clear Aligners in Atlanta, GA
Straighter Teeth, Planned Around Your Whole Mouth
SureSmile clear aligners are a series of custom, removable trays that move teeth gradually into better alignment. They can treat many cases of crowding, spacing, and bite concerns without brackets or wires. At Atlanta Dental Wellness, treatment starts with the health of your gums and teeth, and a clear conversation about what the aligners are made of.
Clear. Removable. Thoughtfully planned. We make sure your gums and teeth are ready for tooth movement before treatment begins, and we answer your material questions up front.
What Are SureSmile Clear Aligners?
SureSmile is a clear aligner system made by Dentsply Sirona. Your dentist uses digital scans, X-rays, and photos to plan how each tooth should move. A series of thin, clear plastic trays is then made to apply gentle, controlled pressure, with each set moving the teeth a small step further.
Aligners are worn about 20 to 22 hours a day, including while you sleep.
You remove them to eat, to drink anything other than cool water, and to brush and floss.
Each set is worn for about one to two weeks before moving to the next, as your dentist directs.
Small tooth-colored bumps called attachments may be bonded to some teeth to help the aligners grip and move them.
Retainers are worn after treatment to help keep teeth from shifting back.
Why Alignment Matters Beyond Appearance
Crowded or overlapping teeth can be harder to clean, which may make it easier for plaque to build up along the gums. Some bite problems can also place uneven force on certain teeth. Straightening teeth can make daily care easier and support a more even bite, in addition to changing how your smile looks.
A Material-Conscious Conversation
For patients who read labels and think carefully about what goes into their bodies, it is reasonable to ask what an aligner is made of before wearing it for 20 or more hours a day.
The manufacturer's patient instructions describe SureSmile aligners as clear, thin, thermoformed plastic. Those instructions do not include a BPA-free or phthalate-free statement, so we do not make that claim. They do note that, in rare cases, people can be allergic to plastic, and that anyone with a history of allergic reactions to plastics should not use the product.
We will share the material information available from the manufacturer and answer your questions.
If you have a history of sensitivity to plastics or dental materials, tell us before treatment is planned.
Biocompatibility testing may add useful information for some patients. It is a screening tool, not a guarantee.
If a reaction occurs during treatment, stop wearing the aligners and contact us right away.
What to Expect: Your SureSmile Journey
Treatment length depends on how much movement is needed. Many mild to moderate cases take several months to a year or more.
Conversation and goals. We talk about what you would like to change, your dental and health history, and any material concerns or sensitivities.
Examination and gum health check. The dentist examines your teeth, gums, and bite. Active gum disease needs to be treated and stable before aligners are started, because moving teeth through inflamed tissue can cause harm.
Digital records and plan. We take digital scans, X-rays, and photos. You review a digital preview of the planned movement. The preview is a simulation, and actual results can differ.
Aligner fitting. Your first aligners are fitted and any attachments are placed. You learn how to insert, remove, and clean your trays.
Progress visits. You change aligners as directed and visit the office for progress checks, often every six to eight weeks. If teeth are not tracking as planned, additional aligners may be ordered.
Retention. When movement is complete, attachments are removed and retainers are made to help hold your results.
Getting Used to Your Aligners
Pressure or tenderness is common for a day or two after each new set.
A slight lisp can occur at first and usually fades within about two weeks.
Some people notice extra saliva or a dry mouth early on.
Tell us if an edge rubs your cheek, lip, or gum. It can often be smoothed.
Who May Be a Candidate?
SureSmile may be a good fit for teens and adults with healthy gums who want to correct mild to moderate alignment concerns and can commit to wearing aligners as directed.
Aligners may be considered when:
Teeth are crowded, spaced, or rotated.
There is a mild to moderate overbite, underbite, or crossbite.
Teeth have shifted after earlier orthodontic treatment.
Alignment is needed before other planned dental work, such as veneers.
The patient can wear aligners 20 to 22 hours a day and keep them clean.
Another approach may be discussed when:
Gum disease is active and not yet under control.
There is a history of allergic reaction to plastics.
The bite problem is complex or involves jaw position, and a referral to an orthodontist may be the better choice.
Consistent daily wear is not realistic for the patient's routine.
The Atlanta Dental Wellness Approach
Moving teeth changes more than your smile. We plan aligner treatment with the same care we bring to every part of your mouth.
We check gum health first and treat any inflammation before teeth are moved.
We explain what the aligners are made of and never overstate what we know.
Dr. Matthew Giordano lists aligner treatment among his clinical interests, along with restorative and cosmetic dentistry.
We consider how alignment fits with future care, such as fillings, crowns, veneers, or tooth replacement.
We give you a digital preview and explain where results may differ from it.
We welcome patients with chemical and fragrance sensitivities in a fragrance-conscious office.
SureSmile Compared With Other Options
This comparison describes common differences, not a personalized recommendation. Your examination will determine which options are reasonable for your teeth and bite.
| Option | Best suited for | Daily life | Important tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| SureSmile clear aligners | Mild to moderate crowding, spacing, and bite concerns | Removable; worn 20-22 hours a day; clear | Results depend on consistent wear; plastic worn most of the day |
| Traditional braces (orthodontist referral) | Mild to complex cases, including larger bite corrections | Fixed; food limits; brackets visible | Harder to clean around; more visible; does not depend on wear time |
| Veneers or bonding | Minor spacing, shape, or color concerns on front teeth | Fixed; no trays | Changes the tooth surface rather than moving the tooth; involves material placement |
| No treatment | Mild concerns that do not affect health or cleaning | No change | Crowding and wear may continue; some teeth may be harder to keep clean |
Caring for Your Aligners
Brush and floss before putting aligners back in, so food is not trapped against your teeth.
Rinse aligners and clean them gently as directed. Avoid hot water, which can warp them.
Remove aligners for anything other than cool water, including hot, sweet, or colored drinks.
Store aligners in their case when they are out of your mouth.
Do not chew gum while wearing aligners.
Do not wear a damaged aligner. Call us if an aligner or attachment breaks or is lost.
Frequently Asked Questions About SureSmile Aligners
These answers address common questions patients ask before starting clear aligner treatment. Your examination may lead to different advice for your teeth and bite.
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The cost depends on how much movement is needed, how many aligners your plan requires, and whether retainers and follow-up aligners are included.
Atlanta Dental Wellness provides a fee after your examination and digital planning. Call our office at 404-233-1102 for current fees and to ask about financial options and how your dental benefits may apply.
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Many mild to moderate cases take several months to a year or more, depending on how far the teeth need to move.
Wearing aligners 20 to 22 hours a day keeps treatment on schedule. Missed wear time, broken aligners, or teeth that need additional aligners can add time. Your digital plan will include an estimated timeline.
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Yes, for the right cases. SureSmile can correct many mild to moderate crowding, spacing, and bite concerns when aligners are worn as directed.
Results depend on case selection, careful planning, and consistent wear. Complex bite or jaw concerns may be better treated with traditional braces, and we will tell you if a referral makes more sense.
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SureSmile should not be painful, but pressure and tenderness are common for a day or two after starting each new set of aligners.
This is a sign that the aligners are applying force to move the teeth. A slight lisp, extra saliva, or rubbing on the cheeks can happen early and usually improves. Sharp pain when inserting an aligner is a reason to remove it and call us.
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SureSmile aligners are worn about 20 to 22 hours a day, including while you sleep.
Take them out only to eat, to drink anything other than cool water, and to brush and floss. Leaving them out for long periods slows tooth movement and can affect how well the next set fits.
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SureSmile aligners are made of clear, thin, thermoformed plastic, according to the manufacturer's patient instructions.
Those instructions do not state that the aligners are BPA-free or phthalate-free, so we do not make that claim. They do note that people with a history of allergic reactions to plastics should not use the product. We are glad to review the available material information with you before treatment.
Start With a Conversation, Not a Commitment
If you have been thinking about straightening your teeth and want care that looks at your gums, your bite, and the materials involved, schedule a visit with Atlanta Dental Wellness in Atlanta, Georgia. We will examine your teeth, show you what aligner treatment could look like, and answer your questions before anything is decided.