Clear Aligners in Northeast Edmonton: SureSmile, Invisalign and What to Expect
Clear aligners straighten teeth with a series of clear, removable trays instead of brackets and wires. At YEG Dental in Northeast Edmonton, near Manning Town Centre, we offer two aligner systems: SureSmile, which we use for most of our aligner patients, and Invisalign. This article explains how the two compare, who aligners suit, how the process works and what to expect.
SureSmile and Invisalign: what is the difference?
Invisalign is the name most people know. SureSmile is a clear aligner system from a different manufacturer, and it is the one YEG Dental uses most often. From the patient's side the two are very similar: both start with a digital scan, both use a sequence of custom-made trays that each move the teeth a small amount, and both depend on wearing the trays for the planned hours each day.
The differences sit behind the scenes, in the planning software and how the trays are made. Your dentist recommends the system that fits the movement your teeth need. If you prefer one over the other, say so at the consultation and we will talk it through.
Who clear aligners suit
Aligners work well for many common concerns: crowding, gaps between teeth, teeth that have shifted after earlier orthodontic treatment, and some bite problems. They are popular with adults and older teens who want a discreet option.
Aligners are not right for every case. Severe crowding, some jaw relationships and teeth that need to be rotated or moved a long way may be better served by braces or a referral to an orthodontist. The only way to know is an examination: we look at your teeth, gums and bite, take a digital scan, and tell you plainly whether aligners are a good fit.
Healthy teeth and gums come first
Active decay and gum disease are treated before any tooth movement starts, so a cleaning and any needed fillings come first.
How the process works at YEG Dental
Step one: the consultation and digital scan
We start with a conversation about what you would like to change. A digital scanner captures a 3D model of your teeth in a few minutes, with no putty impressions. From that model, the planning software maps out how each tooth will move and roughly how many trays the plan needs, with SureSmile or Invisalign.
Step two: reviewing the plan
You see a preview of the planned movement before anything is made. This is the time to ask about timing and cost. Once you approve the plan, the trays are manufactured.
Step three: wearing the aligners
Each tray moves your teeth a small amount. You wear a set for about one to two weeks, 20 to 22 hours a day, taking it out only to eat, drink anything other than water, and brush. Small tooth-coloured attachments are sometimes bonded to a few teeth to give the trays something to grip. They come off at the end of treatment.
Step four: check-ins and retainers
Short visits every six to ten weeks confirm the teeth are tracking with the plan; YEG Dental offers evening and Saturday appointments for these. When the last tray comes out, a retainer holds the new position. Teeth drift for the rest of your life, so retainer wear, usually at night, is a permanent part of the result.
What treatment feels like day to day
Most people feel pressure for a day or two after switching to a new tray; it is a sign the teeth are moving and settles quickly. Speech can be slightly different at first. Because the trays come out to eat, there are no food restrictions, but you need to brush after meals before putting them back in, and the trays need a daily clean with a soft brush.
How long it takes and what it costs
Treatment length depends on how far the teeth need to move: minor adjustments can finish in a few months, while more involved cases take 12 to 18 months or longer. Wearing the trays for the full daily time is the biggest factor in staying on schedule.
YEG Dental follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. The cost of SureSmile or Invisalign treatment depends on the number of trays and the length of treatment, so we give you a written estimate after the scan and before anything is ordered. Many dental plans cover part of orthodontic treatment, and our team can help you check your coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Is SureSmile the same as Invisalign?
They are two brands of the same type of treatment: clear, removable aligners planned from a digital scan. YEG Dental uses SureSmile for most cases and also offers Invisalign. The daily routine, check-ins and retainer are the same with either.
Can I get aligners if I had braces as a teenager?
Often, yes. Relapse after earlier braces is one of the most common reasons adults ask about aligners. A scan confirms whether the movement needed is within what aligners can do.
What happens if I lose a tray?
Call us. We may ask you to move to the next tray early or wear the previous one until a replacement arrives, so keep old trays for a few weeks.
If you are in Northeast Edmonton and wondering whether SureSmile or Invisalign could work for you, book a consultation with YEG Dental at 3363 153 Avenue NW.
Clinical review: Dr. Luebbert, YEG Dental. This article is general information and does not replace an examination.