SureSmile® Aligners in Hamilton
Custom clear-aligner orthodontics that move teeth comfortably and discreetly.
SureSmile is a clear-aligner system that uses precision-printed aligners to straighten teeth, comfortably, discreetly, and on a clear timeline. It's a great alternative to traditional braces for many adults and teens.
- SureSmile® Aligners
- SureSmile® Aligner Cases
- Bite Refinement
- Retainers & Retention
How SureSmile® aligners straighten your teeth
SureSmile combines digital scanning, 3D treatment planning, and a series of clear aligners worn 20–22 hours a day. Each set moves your teeth a small amount; you progress through the series until your smile is in the planned position.
Who suresmile® aligners is good for
- Mild to moderate crowding or spacing
- Adults who want a discreet option
- Teens with all permanent teeth in place
- Patients refining a bite after previous orthodontics
What to expect
- Consultation & scan. A 3D scan replaces traditional impressions, fast and comfortable.
- Digital preview. You see how your smile will move from start to finish before treatment begins.
- Aligner series. You wear each set for 1–2 weeks; check-in visits keep things on track.
- Retention. Custom retainers protect your new smile for the long term.
SureSmile® aligner cases we treat
SureSmile® Aligners handle a wide range of common adult and teen orthodontic cases at our Upper Ottawa Street office. The most frequent ones we see are mild to moderate crowding of the front teeth, small gaps and spacing, slight tipping of individual teeth, deep or open bites within a moderate range, and post-orthodontic relapse where teeth have shifted years after braces. We also use clear aligners to refine a bite ahead of veneers, crowns, or implants so the new restoration sits in the right position. Every case starts with a 3D digital scan, full photographs, and a clinical exam. From that we create a digital preview of your final result before any aligner is printed, so you can see what the finished smile will look like and decide if you want to move forward.
How SureSmile differs from at-home aligner kits
Any clear aligner system that ships you trays in the mail with no clinical exam, no X-rays, and no in-person supervision is rolling the dice on your bite. Aligners can damage gum tissue, expose root surfaces, leave the bite uneven, and reveal undiagnosed periodontal disease or root resorption that an in-person exam would have caught. SureSmile is a doctor-supervised system. We take a 3D digital scan, X-rays, and a clinical exam before treatment starts. We design the movements ourselves with the SureSmile software, place small composite attachments on certain teeth when leverage requires it, and see you for short check-ins every six to eight weeks to make sure the movement is tracking. Mid-treatment refinements are part of the plan.
Cases we will not take
Clear aligners handle mild to moderate crowding, mild to moderate spacing, minor bite issues, and post-orthodontic relapse very well. Complex bites (severe overbite, severe underbite, large skeletal discrepancies, certain rotated teeth) are better treated with traditional braces or with surgical orthodontics in some cases. We are honest at the consultation about which group your case falls into. If aligners alone will not give you the result you want, we will say so and refer you to a Hamilton-area orthodontist. We would rather lose the case than over-promise the result.
Attachments, IPR, and the things people do not realize aligners do
Most aligner cases need small tooth-coloured composite bumps (called attachments) on certain teeth. They give the aligner leverage to move that tooth in a specific direction. They come off cleanly at the end of treatment. Some cases also need interproximal reduction (IPR), where we use a very thin diamond file to remove fractions of a millimetre between specific teeth to create space for alignment. Both of these are routine, conservative, and well-tolerated. We explain them at the planning visit so there are no surprises.
Compliance, the make-or-break factor
Aligners need to be worn 20 to 22 hours per day. They come out for eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing. Patients who consistently wear their aligners full-time finish on schedule. Patients who routinely leave them out for a few hours each evening drag the treatment out by months and sometimes need refinement aligners at the end to finish the case. It is one of the few medical treatments where the patient is genuinely doing more than half of the work. We will tell you the truth about this at the consultation. If a 20-hour daily commitment is not realistic for you, fixed braces are a better fit.
Retention is for life
The biggest mistake in aligner or braces treatment is treating the day the aligners come off as the end of the case. Teeth want to drift back toward where they started, particularly the lower front teeth. We provide a custom retainer (a thin clear retainer for the upper, a small wire bonded to the inside of the lower front teeth or another clear retainer for the lower) and ask you to wear them at night long-term. People who stop wearing retainers usually see relapse within two to five years. People who wear them nightly forever keep their result. The retainers are inexpensive to replace and last for years.
Timeline and how we walk through fees with you
Treatment time averages 6 to 12 months for simpler cases, 12 to 18 months for moderate ones, and longer for complex ones. After your consultation we share a clear written estimate with photos and a digital preview of the final result so you know exactly what to expect before you commit. We provide direct insurance billing if applicable so any orthodontic coverage on your plan is applied at the visit, and 0% financing for qualifying patients is available for any out-of-pocket portion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are SureSmile® Aligners different from traditional braces?
SureSmile® Aligners are clear, removable trays instead of fixed metal brackets and wires. They are far more discreet, you take them out to eat and brush, and most patients find them more comfortable. For mild to moderate cases the results are comparable to braces. Curious about cosmetic dentistry add-ons to refine your smile after alignment? We can discuss that at your consultation.
Will SureSmile® Aligners affect my speech?
Most patients adjust within a few days. A slight lisp on s and th sounds is common at first and fades quickly as your tongue gets used to the trays.
Can I drink coffee with my aligners?
Aligners should be removed for anything other than water to avoid staining and damage. Take them out for coffee, tea, juice, and meals, then brush before putting them back in.
How are SureSmile® Aligners covered by insurance?
We provide direct insurance billing if applicable, so any orthodontic coverage on your plan is applied at the visit. For any out-of-pocket portion we offer 0% financing for qualifying patients. We share a clear written estimate before treatment starts.
Are clear aligners a good option for adults?
Yes. The majority of our clear-aligner patients are adults. They are virtually invisible while you wear them, easy to remove for special occasions, and most cases finish in 6 to 18 months. Book a consultation and we will scan your bite, show you a digital preview of the final result, and explain timing.