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May 17, 2019 - No Comments!

3D Technology Behind Suresmile Braces

One of the things that makes Suresmile technology so advanced is 3D imaging. Unlike with traditional oral x-rays, your orthodontist can see a full 3D image of your mouth.

Of course, you probably want to know more about how this technology works and why it's so beneficial for your oral health. By the time you're finished reading, you'll be amazed at how advanced Suresmile truly is.

Suresmile Technology Basics

Before diving deep into the 3D technology, it's a good idea to get an overview of the entire process. Despite how advanced everything is, it's actually only three main steps:

  • 3D scan
  • Treatment planning
  • Creating the braces or aligners

Sounds simple, right? However, it's a highly complex process. Much of the magic happens behind the scenes thanks to scanning equipment, Suresmile software and precision robotic equipment.

3D Technology Behind Suresmile

The star of Suresmile is the 3D scan. Your orthodontist takes a scan using a white light scanner or cone beam computed tomography, CBCT. Unlike traditional x-rays, these scans don't just take a two-dimensional image of your mouth.

Instead, they create a true 3D image of your entire mouth, including the roots and surrounding tissues. When your orthodontist is limited to seeing just your teeth and directly below the gumline, they're only seeing part of the problem. This means your treatment plan may not be as effective.

To create a better, more efficient plan, your orthodontist needs to be able to understand more about the structure of your entire mouth. It's not just your teeth involved. To realign your teeth as quickly as possible, your orthodontist must also consider:

  • Gums
  • Nerves
  • Bone
  • Soft tissue
  • Roots

As you can see, your mouth is not just teeth, gums and tongue. A 3D scan allows your orthodontist to see everything about your mouth from all angles. We've moved beyond 2D images at our offices. Our 3D camera combines images from six different cameras to create a full 3D image of your mouth and facial structure. After all, your facial structure and oral issues can be tied together.

Think of it like those clear phones where you can see all the inner workings. It's kind of like that, but with your mouth.

The first step towards benefitting from Suresmile technology is going in for your 3D scan.

Using Your 3D Scan

Having a 3D scan is nice, but how does it help you? The scan works with the Suresmile software to give your orthodontist a virtual 3D image of your mouth. They can manipulate it, spin it around to view different angles, adjust your teeth and even see the final result.

The orthodontist has full control over how they design your treatment plan based upon the 3D scan. Instead of having to start with a partial plan and adjust along the way, the entire plan is designed at one time.

Before anything else is done, your orthodontist will meet with you to discuss the treatment plan and show you what the final result will be. The scan isn't just for your orthodontist. Thanks to the power of 3D technology, you get to see what your smile will look before you ever get your Suresmile braces. That gives you something to look forward to, as if wearing them for less time wasn't enough.

Suresmile Technology Shortens Time

You read that right. Thanks to the 3D technology behind Suresmile, your orthodontist is able to create a more customised plan for your treatment. In studies, the average treatment time for Suresmile patients was approximately seven months shorter than patients with conventional braces.

Once again, it's all due to 3D technology. By having access to more data about your mouth, your orthodontist uses the Suresmile software to design a faster treatment plan that adjusts your teeth using the best possible path.

With traditional braces, your orthodontist has to manually adjust the plan with each visit, carefully adjusting the wires to move your teeth based on the results thus far. This isn't true with Suresmile.

Instead, the wires are already in the perfect starting position to get your teeth straighter in far less time.

3D Meets Robotics

While it's up to your orthodontist to use the 3D scan to create a custom treatment plan, robotic equipment takes over from there. The virtual 3D treatment plan is sent to Suresmile, where robotic equipment is used to carefully bend and form a shape memory alloy archwire to perfectly fit your plan.

Conventional braces have to be formed manually by hand. This does work, but it doesn't offer the same level of accuracy.

Plus, with manual formation, you need more adjustments. After all, your orthodontist isn't able to see exactly how your teeth need to be moved from day one. Instead, the plan must be altered as your teeth move into place little by little.

Robotic equipment forms the wires perfectly, allow them to put pressure in just the right places to gently push your teeth on their optimal paths to the perfect position for a straighter smile.

From 3D To Your Mouth

The final step turns that first 3D scan into your new Suresmile braces. The wires that were formed based on your custom treatment plan are fitted to your teeth. Thanks to innovative Suresmile technology, the wires react to your body heat. As they're placed on your teeth, the automatically adjust to the prescribed position. This leads to less adjusting and a quicker start to getting your dream smile.

Handling Adjustments

Just because the 3D technology helps your orthodontist create a more efficient plan doesn't mean you won't have to go in for adjustments. However, you'll need fewer adjustments than with conventional braces. The Suresmile technology lets your orthodontist plan ahead for adjustments, such as scheduling when and knowing exactly what needs to be adjusted to keep your treatment plan on track.

From the moment the scan is taken and entered into the Suresmile software, your entire treatment plan is mapped out. This takes out any guesswork and those sometimes painful manual adjustments. All of this is thanks to what may seem like just a simple 3D scan, but it's actually the start of an advanced treatment that'll make you glad you opted for Suresmile.

Want to learn more about our Suresmile process and average treatment lengths? Contact our office today to discuss treatment options and schedule an appointment for your 3D scan.

 

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April 19, 2019 - No Comments!

How Suresmile Works And Why You Need To Care

Have you ever wanted a better smile, but didn't want to wait for years while you wear traditional braces? Then you need to learn how Suresmile works.

Why should you want to know about Suresmile? How about less pain, less time and a better smile? And that's just the start.

Of course, we know you don't want to just jump in. You want to know how the process works first and we're here to explain it.

A Deceptive Look

At first, you might not think Suresmile is much different. After all, it'll still look similar to the traditional braces your friends might have. However, looks can be deceiving. Despite a similar look, they function quite differently to achieve a straighter smile in less time.

The Initial Scan

The innovative Suresmile technology starts with an initial scan. This is the first of three main steps towards getting you fitted with Suresmile braces. Unlike traditional braces that rely on two-dimensional technology, Suresmile starts with a three-dimensional scan to give your orthodontist a much clearer view of your teeth, bone structure, nerves, tissue and more.

By getting a more in-depth scan, you get a more customised fit, which makes them not only more comfortable, but more effective.

A cone beam computed tomography or a white light scanner is used to create the scan. Once this scan is complete, you're ready to move on to the next step.

A Look At Your Perfect Smile

Thanks to the 3D model created from your scan, your orthodontist is able to get a clear picture of how your smile can and should look. Suresmile technology doesn't stop at scans. Instead, the virtual simulation software allows your orthodontist to see your teeth from every angle to determine the best possible positioning.

Getting a more in-depth view through the simulation allows your orthodontist to optimise your treatment, which leads to a better smile faster.

The best part - you get to see what the final outcome will be before you ever get fitted with Suresmile braces or Suresmile aligners. Now, you don't have to wait for months or years to see what your dream smile might look like. You'll already know and just get to sit back and wait for the results - after you get the braces off, that is.

During this phase, your orthodontist creates a personalised treatment plan for you. Every single tooth is taken into account for optimal accuracy.

Robotic Precision

Obviously, a plan is great, but you need the actual braces. How Suresmile works so effectively is by using a robot to bend and form the CopperNi-Ti wires, which are heated to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, to match your personlised treatment plan exactly. Since the robot follows the designed plan, you don't have to worry about human error.

Do you have any smart gadgets in your home? If you choose Suresmile, you'll also have a smarter smile. The wire technology is so advanced that the wires are actually called smart wires. This allows for an unparalleled level of accuracy.

The wires are placed into a custom-made mold. They're designed to work with the heat of your mouth to straighten your teeth faster.

One Size Doesn't Fit All

You've probably heard about all the orthodontist visits necessary with traditional braces. This is because they have to be constantly adjusted to fit with your changing mouth. Until the last decade, it was a one-size-fits-all approach.

While it was effective, one size doesn't fit all. This just meant far more work to achieve the same, or sometimes not as good, results.

Thanks to the patented archwires with Suresmile, you get a customised fit from the start. This means far fewer visits and manual adjustments, which can sometimes lead to a sore mouth.

Thanks to how Suresmile works, periodic adjustments via the Suresmile software and smart wires are all that's necessary to achieve a beautiful new smile.

Less Time In Braces

All of this might sound good, but there's probably one major question you have - how long do you have to wear them? We've talked about getting a smile in less time and that's absolutely true.

In a clinical study, patients wore their Suresmile braces seven months less on average than those with conventional braces. While this is just an average, it proves that you could go from the expectation of wearing your braces for at least two years to around 18 months or less.

This works especially well if you're wanting to straighten your teeth for a special occasion, such as a wedding or graduation.

How Suresmile Works For Most Cases

While every person is different, the advanced approach to how Suresmile works makes them an ideal choice for most people. Crooked teeth, misalignment and overcrowding are all areas Suresmile handles effectively.

From minor to moderate corrections, Suresmile has you covered. For major corrections, another approach may be necessary, but we'll be able to tell you if you're a candidate or not after a quick visit.

Proven Over Time

Suresmile isn't a brand new treatment option, even if some orthodontists still don't offer it. Yes, the traditional approach is tried and true. Wires and brackets are manually positioned and adjusted to give you your best smile.

However, manual means there is more room for human error. Suresmile technology has proven to be an effective option over the last decade.

Instead of having to worry about frequent visits, manual adjustments and longer wear time, you get to avoid all of that. This has proven to be a superior alternative to traditional braces that doesn't sacrifice quality.

Considering The Alternative

While Suresmile might sound more like something out of a science fiction movie, your mouth, smile and confidence might just thank you for letting robots craft your braces for you.

Plus, you get to show off those smart wires to all your friends and family. How often do you see people actually wanting to show off their braces? It's a win-win.

If you have questions, we're happy to further explain how Suresmile works. If you're ready for the smile of your dreams in less time, contact our office today to see how the Suresmile alternative to traditional braces could be the right choice for you.