SureSmile Clear Aligners in Mobile, AL
If your teeth have shifted, crowded, or you've been putting off fixing something because you don't want metal braces — clear aligners are worth a conversation. They're not right for every case, but for mild to moderate issues they work well and most people around you won't notice you're wearing them.
“Have been coming here for 18 months!”
“Love this dental office! Dr. Gegzna is exceptional. Shannon is my hygienist and she is wonderful. Zero wait times, immaculate office, clear billing. I trust this team completely. Have been coming here for 18 months!”— Xiomara R.
Your SureSmile Timeline
Week 1
Your first tray is in. Fit is checked, movement begins, and the trays are nearly invisible.
Month 3
Gradual movement is underway. Teeth are shifting and results are beginning to take shape.
Month 6
Continued progress is visible. Most patients can see meaningful change by this stage.
Treatment Complete
Teeth are straight, no brackets or wires. Retainers are fitted to hold your results.
What Are SureSmile Clear Aligners?
SureSmile uses a series of custom-made clear plastic trays to gradually move your teeth into the right position. You wear each tray for one to two weeks, then move to the next. The trays are removable — you take them out to eat, drink, brush, and floss, then put them back in. Most people won't notice you're wearing them.
Treatment at Rabbit Creek Dental starts with a digital scan of your teeth — no messy impressions. We map out your entire treatment plan before you start, so you can see where your teeth are headed before the first tray is even made.
What to Expect With SureSmile
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1
Consultation & Scan
We examine your teeth and take a full digital scan using our intraoral scanner — no putty, no mess. We review your case and talk honestly about whether clear aligners are a good fit for your situation. See the technology we use — including the Medit i700 intraoral scanner that replaces traditional putty impressions.
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2
Your Treatment Plan
Using your digital scan, SureSmile maps out the full movement of your teeth from start to finish. We review the plan with you before anything is ordered — you will see exactly where your teeth are going.
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3
Your Aligners Arrive
Your full set of custom aligners is manufactured and shipped to our office. We check the fit and send you home with your trays and instructions for wearing them.
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4
Wear & Progress
You wear each tray for approximately one to two weeks, then move to the next one. We check in periodically to monitor your progress and make sure everything is tracking correctly.
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5
Retainers
When treatment is complete, you receive custom retainers to keep your teeth in their new position. Wearing your retainer as directed is what keeps your results long term.
Most SureSmile cases take between 6 and 18 months depending on how much movement is needed. We will give you a realistic timeline estimate at your consultation.
“Already not dreading my next appointment!”
“What a great dental office! I came in with severe dental anxiety and the whole team was so accommodating. Shannon was incredibly gentle and patient. Dr. G was kind and reassuring. Already not dreading my next appointment!”— Crystal G.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners work well for a wide range of mild to moderate orthodontic issues. They are not the right fit for every case — some complex bite issues or significant crowding are better handled by an orthodontist. We will tell you honestly at your consultation whether we can treat your case or whether a referral makes more sense for you.
Crowded Teeth
Teeth that are too close together or overlapping — one of the most common reasons people seek aligners.
Gaps Between Teeth
Spaces between teeth that affect appearance or make cleaning difficult.
Mild Overbite
When the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth more than they should.
Mild Underbite
When the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth.
Crossbite
When some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth rather than outside.
Relapse After Braces
Teeth that have shifted after previous orthodontic treatment — a very common and treatable situation.
Complex cases involving significant bite issues or jaw problems may require traditional braces or specialist care. We evaluate each case individually and refer out when that is the better option for you.
How Do Clear Aligners Compare to Traditional Braces?
SureSmile Clear Aligners
- ✓ Nearly invisible — most people won't notice you're wearing them
- ✓ Removable for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing
- ✓ No food restrictions
- ✓ Smooth plastic — no brackets or wires to irritate your mouth
- ✓ Fewer office visits in most cases
- ⚠ Requires discipline — must be worn 20–22 hours per day
- ⚠ Not ideal for complex bite issues
- ⚠ Easy to lose if not careful with the trays
Traditional Braces
- ✓ Better for complex cases
- ✓ Works even if patient forgets to wear them — they are always on
- ✓ Can handle more significant tooth movement
- ⚠ Visible metal brackets and wires
- ⚠ Food restrictions (no hard or sticky foods)
- ⚠ More difficult to brush and floss
- ⚠ More frequent adjustment visits
For most mild to moderate cases, clear aligners deliver excellent results with far less disruption to your daily life.
The Truth About Clear Aligners
Clear aligners work — but they only work if you wear them. The trays need to be in your mouth 20 to 22 hours a day to stay on track. Taking them out for meals and cleaning is fine — leaving them out for hours at a time is not.
Some patients experience mild soreness for a day or two when switching to a new tray. That is normal — it means the teeth are moving. It typically fades quickly.
Speech may be slightly affected at first — most patients adjust within a few days.
And when treatment is done, wearing your retainer is not optional. Teeth move throughout your life. Without a retainer, they will shift back. We will give you retainers at the end of treatment and tell you exactly how to use them.
“So relieved I finally did it.”
“Had a procedure I was dreading for months. Dr. Shipp and his team made it so much easier than I feared. Pain-free, clear explanation of each step, and supportive staff throughout. I'm so relieved I finally did it!”— Lorraine B.
“They make all my dentistry pleasant and a good experience.”
“I absolutely love this dentist and his whole staff. They make all my dentistry pleasant and a good experience. Dr. G is very gentle and explains what he is doing as he goes which I like very much.”— Vanessa P.
Frequently Asked Questions About SureSmile Clear Aligners
Most adults and older teens with mild to moderate crowding, spacing, or bite issues are good candidates. Clear aligners work well for a wide range of cases but have limitations — severe bite problems, significant vertical movement, and certain tooth rotations are better handled with traditional braces or by an orthodontist. We'll evaluate your teeth at a consultation and give you an honest assessment of whether aligners are the right tool for your case or whether we'd recommend a different approach.
Most cases at Rabbit Creek Dental take between 6 and 18 months. The timeline depends on how much movement your teeth need. We will give you a realistic estimate at your consultation after we scan your teeth.
Cost varies depending on the complexity of your case and the length of treatment. We will give you a clear cost estimate at your consultation. Many dental insurance plans include an orthodontic benefit that can be applied toward clear aligner treatment — we will check your coverage before your appointment.
There's usually some pressure and mild soreness for the first day or two after switching to a new set of aligners — that's normal and means the teeth are moving. It's generally much less uncomfortable than traditional braces. Over-the-counter pain medication handles it for most patients. If you're experiencing sharp pain or the aligner feels like it doesn't fit at all, call us.
Most people will not notice. The trays are clear and fit snugly against your teeth. You may notice a slight shine in certain lighting but they are far less noticeable than traditional braces.
You need to wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours a day for treatment to stay on track. You take them out to eat, drink anything other than water, and to brush and floss. The more consistently you wear them the better and faster your results will be.
Remove them to eat and drink anything other than plain water. Food can get trapped under the aligners and cause decay, and colored drinks — coffee, tea, wine, sports drinks — will stain them. The discipline of taking them out before eating and putting them back in immediately after is what makes treatment work. Patients who leave them out "just for a little while" frequently fall behind on wear time and extend their treatment.
Call us right away. Depending on where you are in your series, we may have you move to the next aligner, go back to the previous one, or order a replacement. Don't just stop wearing aligners while you wait — teeth can shift back quickly without consistent pressure. Replacement aligners have a cost associated with them so it's worth keeping track of yours carefully.
Many dental insurance plans include an orthodontic benefit that applies to clear aligners. Coverage varies significantly by plan. We will verify your benefits before your consultation so you know what to expect.
You receive custom retainers at the end of treatment. Wearing your retainer as directed is what keeps your teeth in their new position long term. Most patients wear retainers nightly indefinitely — teeth will shift without them.
Yes — and we mean it. Teeth are held in place by ligaments that have memory. After orthodontic treatment those ligaments want to pull teeth back toward where they were. Retainers are the only thing preventing that. Most patients wear retainers nightly long-term after the initial full-time retention period. Patients who stop wearing their retainers almost always experience some degree of shifting. The treatment you invested in is only permanent if you maintain it.
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Check My RateCurious If Clear Aligners Are Right for You?
Come in for a consultation and we will take a look at your teeth, answer your questions, and give you an honest assessment — no pressure.