Orthodontic technology has come a long way, and one of the most significant developments in recent years is the use of digital planning platforms to design and deliver treatment with a level of precision that simply wasn’t possible before. SureSmile is one of the most advanced of these systems – and it’s the technology behind every course of treatment at The London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic.
Dr Asif Chatoo was among the first orthodontists in the world to use SureSmile for lingual braces, and has lectured on the system internationally, including at Harvard University dental school. He now acts as a mentor for orthodontists who are new to the system – a role that reflects both his depth of experience with SureSmile and his commitment to raising standards in lingual orthodontics.
What Is SureSmile?
SureSmile is a digital orthodontic system that combines 3D imaging, computer-aided treatment planning, and robotically fabricated appliances to deliver highly precise treatment. It covers lingual braces, traditional fixed braces, and clear aligners, and is used across all our treatments at LLOC.
At its core, SureSmile works by creating a detailed digital model of your teeth, which is used to plan your treatment in three dimensions. Every movement is mapped out in advance, and the appliances – whether wires or aligners – are fabricated to that exact specification.
How the Digital Planning Process Works
The process begins with a 3D scan of your teeth, taken using a small handheld scanner. The scan creates a detailed digital model of your mouth, which – alongside X-rays and photographs – gives Dr Chatoo everything he needs to plan your treatment with precision.
Using the SureSmile software, Dr Chatoo can visualise your teeth from every angle, assess your bite in detail, and map out the movements needed to achieve the best possible result. One of the things patients particularly value is being able to see a preview animation of how their teeth will move through treatment – a clear, visual representation of the plan before we begin.
Robotically Bent Wires
For patients having fixed braces, one of the most significant features of SureSmile is the way the wires are made. Rather than being bent by hand at the chairside, SureSmile wires are fabricated by robots to the precise specification set out in the digital treatment plan.
Manually bent wires, however carefully made, can introduce small inconsistencies that affect the outcome of treatment. Robotically fabricated wires eliminate that variable – which in Dr Chatoo’s experience speeds up the finishing stages of treatment, where the finest adjustments are made to perfect the result.
SureSmile for Lingual Braces
SureSmile is particularly well suited to lingual orthodontics, where the precision of digital planning is combined with an indirect bonding technique – each bracket is positioned on a digital model of your teeth in advance and transferred to your mouth using custom-fit trays. This improves the accuracy of bracket placement, makes the bond-up appointment quicker, and contributes to a more comfortable experience overall.
SureSmile is also well suited to combination cases, where one arch is treated with lingual braces and another with labial braces or aligners. Coordinating two different appliances requires careful planning, and SureSmile’s digital platform allows both arches to be planned together with a precision that would be difficult to achieve with traditional methods.
Experience the Difference
To find out how SureSmile could transform your treatment, get in touch to arrange a consultation with Dr Chatoo.
