SureSmile Clear Aligners Review: What You Need To Know

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Everyone’s heard of Invisalign, the clear aligner giant. However, there are quite a few other aligner treatments to consider, and SureSmile is one of the most interesting. The company got its start in 1998 with archwire technology for lingual braces before transitioning to clear aligners in 2007.

SureSmile is effective, relatively affordable, and can treat a wide variety of conditions. But is it right for you? In this review, we’ll dive into the pros and cons, compare it to other clear aligners, and help you determine whether it’s an ideal fit for your smile goals.

How Does SureSmile Work?

SureSmile is an in-office aligner treatment like Invisalign or ClearCorrect, so it’s only available through a dentist or orthodontist. To kick things off, you’ll need to find a provider near you and schedule an initial consultation. During this appointment and examination, they’ll take 3D scans of your teeth, discuss your goals, and consult you about clear aligner treatment.

Unlike some of its competitors, SureSmile doesn’t require doctors to use a specific intraoral scanner for their digital impressions. Their open platform can use data from pretty much any scanner on the market, which is easier for the dentist, since they don’t have to purchase any special equipment.

Based on your exam and scan, your doctor will evaluate your case and determine if SureSmile can help achieve your goals. If so, you and your dentist will select one of their two plans:

• Complete: Unlimited aligners for five years
• Select: A pay-as-you-go plan where you pay per aligner

Your dentist will then upload your data to the SureSmile platform and collaborate with the company to create your treatment plan. Before they officially place your order, your dentist will show you before and after models of your smile, ensuring it aligns with your vision. Once you give the go-ahead, SureSmile will manufacture your aligners and mail them to your doctor.

At your pickup appointment, you’ll try on your first aligners to make sure they fit well, and your dentist will provide wear and care instructions. You’ll need to wear your SureSmile aligners for 22 hours a day throughout treatment; they do not have an overnight-only option.

The Pros and Cons of SureSmile Treatment

SureSmile is a top clear aligner provider, and it comes with several distinct advantages over the competition. It also has some notable disadvantages. SureSmile scored 4.2/5 in our clear aligner rankings, which are based on effectiveness, affordability, convenience, appearance, and patient experience.

We’ll provide a lot more detail on how SureSmile stacks up category by category, but here’s a quick summary of the biggest pros and cons:

Scope of Treatment

With orthodontic treatment, you’re very much putting your money where your mouth is. Before you do, you want to feel reassured that the clear aligners you’re considering can actually deliver results. SureSmile is meant to address a wide range of issues, matching or exceeding other clear aligners in treatment scope and coming close to matching braces’ power.

SureSmile can correct everything from simple cosmetic concerns to class III malocclusions.

It can handle a variety of conditions, including class I, II, and III malocclusions, making them more versatile than at-home aligners like Byte and SmileDirectClub. Below are the conditions SureSmile typically treats.

• Crowded Teeth: SureSmile can address most cases of tooth crowding. The only limitation is when the teeth overlap in a way that prevents the aligners from gripping them, even with attachments.
• Teeth Gaps: Most tooth gaps are 3mm wide or less. Aligners can close gaps as large as 6mm, so SureSmile should work for most cases.
• Overbite: Overbite is the term for when the upper front teeth extend beyond the lower front teeth. SureSmile corrects any overbite that is totally dental in nature, as well as some cases that have a skeletal component.
• Underbite: Think of this as the reverse of an overbite, where the bottom front teeth overlap the top ones. Once again, SureSmile treats pretty much any dental underbite, but might not work for some cases that involve jaw shifts.
• Crossbite: This is when some, but not all, of the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth. SureSmile fixes simple (just one or two misaligned teeth) and mixed (multiple misaligned teeth) crossbites. But it might not work for certain cases that involve jaw abnormalities.
• Open Bite: If your jaws are closed but your teeth don’t touch, you have an open bite. In-office clear aligners can usually correct mild-to-moderate anterior open bites. They may work for posterior open bites too, but severe ones might require jaw alteration.

SureSmile can move any teeth, including the molars. This is typical for in-office treatments but not for at-home clear aligners, which usually focus on the front six teeth in each arch — aka, the social six. However, SureSmile and other clear aligners are less effective in raising and lowering teeth and moving teeth that are too small or pointed.

Several factors allow SureSmile to address complex misalignments.

Chief among these is the use of supplemental attachments, including engagers and elastics. Both help to generate and direct force, improving orthodontic tooth movement. However, they require oversight from a dentist, so remote companies can’t incorporate them.

SureSmile also gives dentists control over how to trim your aligners. Most companies choose either straight or scalloped across the board — no exceptions. SureSmile lets your doctor choose. And since straight cuts allow for better force transfer, this can help expand the scope of treatment, especially when paired with attachments.

Plus, many doctors are now offering the SureSmile® VPro™ High Frequency Vibration Device as part of their treatment bundle. Studies have shown that high-frequency vibration devices like this may help encourage faster dental shifts.

SureSmile claims patients who use their aligners need refinements less often.

According to SureSmile’s internal data and patient surveys, their patients need 50% fewer refinements than the average aligner treatment. So when your doctor gives you a time estimate for your treatment, there’s a decent chance you won’t need further adjustments after that.

But will SureSmile be able to deliver the results you need? The only way to find out is to get an assessment from a provider.

Regular appointments with your dentist will ensure that your smile transformation is safe and continuously monitored.

Every several weeks, you’ll return to your dentist so they can make sure your teeth are moving as planned. During these office visits, your dentist can also place, repair, or replace attachments. They can even contact SureSmile to modify your treatment plan and send out new aligners if anything looks off.

This consistent oversight helps keep you on track and significantly reduces the risk of serious problems, since your dentist can address any issues before they get worse.

SureSmile uses premium materials to produce their aligners.

Reliable, durable dental plastics can help improve a clear aligner’s power and precision, and SureSmile uses Essix ACE — an excellent dental plastic from a trusted manufacturer. ACE is superior to a lot of plastics out there, although some dentists think that Invisalign’s SmartTrack material is more comfortable and precise.

Affordability

Orthodontic treatment is often so expensive that many people put off getting the care they need for years, even decades, so they can save up. SureSmile is pretty affordable for an in-office treatment. In fact, depending on how many aligners you need, its price can even compete with some at-home aligner brands.

SureSmile’s average price is $4,000, which is a couple thousand less than braces and Invisalign, on average.

Just keep in mind that this is not a set price. Your cost will be based on your needs and the fees your doctor charges. However, if you only need a few aligners to make small changes, you might pay as little as $2,000 if your provider chooses the Select plan. Complex cases might cost up to $6,000 with the Complete plan, but that price includes unlimited aligners for three years.

So, how can SureSmile offer more affordable treatment than other in-office competitors without sacrificing quality? Your doctor sets the cost of treatment, and when materials and lab fees are more affordable — as they are with SureSmile — they can pass the savings on to you. Plus, SureSmile allows doctors to use any brand of intraoral scanner they already have in their office, so they don’t have to purchase anything new or expensive just to offer SureSmile.

Plus, SureSmile allows doctors to use any brand of intraoral scanner they already have in their office, so they don’t have to purchase anything new or expensive just to offer SureSmile.

Your insurance may provide partial coverage, but it depends on your specific plan.

If your insurance plan includes orthodontic benefits, you might receive partial coverage for your SureSmile treatment. Coverage is less likely if you’re making purely cosmetic adjustments, but if SureSmile is necessary to improve your overall oral health, your insurance might contribute. It all depends on your specific plan, and the only way to know for sure is to contact your insurance provider.

You can access financing options through your dentist or orthodontist’s office.

Although SureSmile is relatively affordable, most people do not have thousands of dollars on hand to pay for treatment up front. If you can’t afford to pay for SureSmile all at once, you might need to enroll in a financing plan. Many dental offices have in-house payment plans, or can at least point you toward a reliable third-party financing option.

Convenience

While cost might be the biggest barrier between patients and orthodontic treatment, convenience comes in a close second. With traditional metal braces, you can spend over two years in active treatment. SureSmile shortens that timeframe, but it’s still not as efficient as many at-home aligner services. And while SureSmile’s regular office visits help your dentist keep a close eye on your progress, they’re not quite as streamlined as remote care.

SureSmile treatment typically takes 6–18 months.

According to SureSmile, their treatment timelines are around 40% shorter than conventional methods — aka braces. However, it doesn’t beat the average treatment times of at-home aligner providers. Depending on the company and your alignment concerns, you could achieve final results in as little as four months. Just remember that this is often because at-home aligner services treat milder misalignments, which take less time to correct.

Certain studies show that high-frequency vibration devices like SureSmile’s VPro can reduce treatment times for some patients.

High-frequency vibration technology has been the subject of recent studies, which have shown that it can encourage faster orthodontic shifts for some patients. If your provider recommends it, you’ll bite down on SureSmile’s VPro mouthpiece for five minutes per day. SureSmile says this practice can improve the fit of your aligners, keeping their treatment on track.

While SureSmile offers VPro for every case, your dentist or orthodontist might have their own preferences for how or when to use it. Consult them for details on how it might work with your treatment.

You’ll go in for office visits around every three months.

During your SureSmile treatment, your dentist will want to keep track of your progress and make sure your teeth are moving as planned. SureSmile providers often require office visits every 4–10 weeks, although your dentist might want to make them more or less frequent, depending on your condition and preferences.

For some, particularly people with complex misalignments, that time commitment might be worth it. For others, it might be less convenient, especially when you have the option to complete treatment entirely from home with a treatment like Byte or SmileDirectClub.

The SureSmile daily wear experience is much like any other clear aligner treatment.

Essentially, you need to wear them for 22 hours per day — though you can take that down to 20 for special occasions. Whenever you’re not wearing them, keep your aligners in their protective case. It’s a good idea to buy extra cases to keep at the office, in your bag, and at home.

You must remove your aligners when eating and drinking anything other than plain water. To protect both your teeth and the aligners, you should brush and, if possible, floss every time you eat and quickly rinse the aligners before replacing them. You’ll need to clean your aligners according to your dentist’s instructions twice a day as well.

SureSmile’s startup process is more convenient than many at-home clear aligner systems.

Remote options usually require you to take your own impressions, which can be goopy, messy, and awkward. With SureSmile, your dentist takes scans (also called digital impressions) of your teeth, eliminating the mess and leaving the technical parts to your dental professional.

Appearance

Most adults seeking orthodontic treatment want the most discreet option available. And currently, that option is clear aligners. Most of the time, people can’t even tell you are wearing them. Still, not all clear aligners look the same. While virtually every brand crafts their aligners from transparent, medical-grade, BPA-free plastic, different materials and manufacturing processes can result in slightly different styles.

SureSmile uses a clear, slightly textured plastic and can either cut their aligners straight across or trim them to match your gum line.

The clear plastic doesn’t exactly mimic the look of our natural teeth, which appear matte because they’re porous. Some might consider it too shiny, but you might like that kind of gleam in your smile. The texture, however, helps to match the natural surface of the teeth, making the aligners slightly less noticeable.

Your dentist can choose the trim of your aligners, and they can cater it to your specific condition. Matching the gum line makes them less visible, while a straight cut can slightly overlap the gums. With SureSmile, your doctor can set the height of the straight cut, which can help hide them.

Attachments and elastics add to the visibility of your aligners.

Attachments might make your aligners more powerful, but they can also make them stand out. Whenever possible, your dentist will match attachments to the shade of your teeth, but they still aren’t fully invisible.

You shouldn’t wear your SureSmile aligners while eating or drinking anything besides water. Their plastic is stain resistant, but not stain-proof. So without the right care, they can make your teeth look discolored.

Patient Experience

Support can make or break an orthodontic experience. You could have the most effective and affordable clear aligners in the world, but if the dentist or company doesn’t treat you well, it can ruin the whole thing. Your doctor’s office will handle your entire SureSmile experience, so you’ll get individualized care from people who know you and your smile intimately.

Like most other in-office clear aligner brands, SureSmile’s customer support is exceptional.

The direct supervision and interaction you get with in-person treatment are superior to that of remote options. When you need help or have questions, you can simply call the office during operating hours and get personalized assistance. And if anything is seriously wrong, you can get hands-on care within a few hours to a few days.

This is particularly beneficial if you need adjustments or refinements. Your doctor can modify the aligners themselves or even order new ones if they find the original plan isn’t delivering the results you want. While the company says that’s rarely necessary, just having the option is reassuring.

Best Alternatives to SureSmile

If you aren’t sold on SureSmile just yet, don’t worry. You have plenty of other options. Below are some of the best in-office and at-home clear aligner treatments to consider.

Invisalign ($3,000–$8,000)

Invisalign is the original clear aligner company, and doctors have used it to treat more patients than any other aligner brand. While you’ll pay a premium for it, Invisalign consistently delivers the best results in the industry, often matching the results of braces even in complex cases.

ClearCorrect ($3,000–$6,000)

ClearCorrect is one of the biggest Invisalign competitors on the market today. It’s usually slightly more expensive than SureSmile, but they offer more flexible pricing models. While there are a few situations where SureSmile can tackle bigger irregularities, overall, these two companies have the same scope of treatment.

3M Clarity Aligners ($3,000–$8,000)

3M Clarity Aligners are exceptionally effective. Only orthodontists can administer them, they use two different types of premium plastic, and their treatment plans can incorporate attachments in unique ways to facilitate a wide range of complex movements. But they also typically cost more than SureSmile, and they’re not as widely available, but they’re still a great option — especially if you have a severe misalignment.

Six Month Smiles ($3,500–5,000)

Six Month Smiles is pretty comparable to SureSmile in price. They also offer an option for dual treatment — using clear braces first to make larger shifts and finishing up with clear aligners. SureSmile also has this option if you select a dentist that offers both their aligners and their lingual braces.

Byte ($1,999)

Byte is a fully-remote clear aligner service whose claim to fame is their “HyperByte” device, which they include in the cost of their aligner package. This high-frequency vibration device uses gentle micropulses the company says may help reduce discomfort. Plus, Byte claims an average treatment plan length of just 4–5 months.

Candid ($3,500+)

Candid straddles the line between in-person and at-home treatment with their unique hybrid system. You start treatment by visiting a dentist in person, then you’ll check in remotely every 14 days using their CandidMonitoring service, only returning to the office if your dentist requests it. Many Candid patients see final results in around six months.

Summary: Is SureSmile Right for You?

SureSmile is great if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to Invisalign without sacrificing in-person oversight. SureSmile can treat a wide variety of severe misalignments, but if you don’t mind remote care, at-home aligners can be more affordable and convenient. Ultimately, it comes down to your specific condition, budget, and priorities.

To get a better idea of which option might be the best fit for you, we encourage you to check out the resources below.