Straighten Your Teeth Discreetly, Smile Confidently
You may have spent years smiling with your lips closed or hiding a crooked tooth in photos, while the thought of metal braces as an adult kept you from doing anything about it. Clear aligners change that. These thin, custom trays gently shift your teeth into place, and most people won’t even know you’re wearing them.
Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña plan your SureSmile® clear aligner treatment from a 3D scan and show you a preview of your finished smile before you begin. Most patients finish in about 12 to 18 months, switching to a new set of trays roughly every two weeks.
Why San Antonio Patients Choose Clear Aligners
- No One Has to Know: Worried people will notice? The trays are clear and close-fitting, so friends, coworkers, and clients usually can’t tell you’re in treatment.
- Keep Eating What You Love: You take your aligners out for meals, so there’s no list of foods to give up.
- Comfort Without the Metal: There are no brackets or wires to rub your cheeks, and no tightening appointments. You’ll feel mild pressure with each new set, which simply means your teeth are moving.
- Built Around a Busy Schedule: After a few setup visits, check-ins are quick and spaced weeks apart.
- Teeth That Are Easier to Care For: Crooked, overlapping teeth trap plaque and can wear unevenly. Straightening them makes brushing and flossing easier and helps protect your teeth and gums for years to come.
- A Smile You’re Proud to Share: The result is a smile you feel good about, in photos, at work, and across the dinner table.
The Aligner System Our Doctors Trust
After comparing systems, Dr. Tostado and Dr. Acuña chose SureSmile® because its digital planning matches the precision they already bring to crowns, veneers, and full-mouth restorations
- Fewer extra rounds of trays. Dentsply Sirona reports 3 out of 4 SureSmile cases finish without refinements.
- A close, comfortable fit. SureSmile’s straight-edge trim helps each tray push efficiently and may reduce the number of attachments..
- An optional comfort tool. Five minutes a day with the SureSmile VPro™ may ease soreness and help shorten treatment, according to the manufacturer.
- A restorative perspective. As a prosthodontist, Dr. Tostado designs smiles for how they look and how they bite, and he brings that same eye to where your teeth finish.
What to Expect, Start to Finish
Here’s what to expect, from your first visit to your finished smile. Every step happens in our office, with comforts like weighted blankets and noise-canceling headphones at each appointment.
- Consultation and records: We learn about your goals, check that your teeth and gums are healthy, and take x-rays and a 3D scan.
- Custom treatment plan. Your doctor maps out every tooth movement with the SureSmile lab
- Preview your new smile. You see a 3D model of your expected results and approve the plan before anything is made.
- Aligner delivery. We place small tooth-colored attachments, fit your first trays, and show you how to wear and clean them.
- Wear and switch. Wear your aligners about 22 hours a day and move to a new set roughly every two weeks.
- Progress checks: Quick visits every four to six weeks make sure your teeth are on track.
- Retainers: Once your teeth are in place, clear retainers keep your new smile from shifting.
Who Clear Aligners Can Help
SureSmile treats crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, crossbites, open bites, and front teeth that tip forward. Your doctor will confirm whether it’s right for you at your consultation.
Why It’s Worth Starting Now
Teeth naturally shift over time, so crowding and gaps tend to get worse, not better. Overlapping teeth are harder to clean, which raises the risk of cavities and gum problems, and a bite that’s off can wear teeth down unevenly. Treatment also takes months, so the sooner you start, the sooner you’re smiling freely, whether that’s before a wedding, a new job, or just everyday life.
Two Doctors, One Plan for Your Smile
Who places your veneers matters as much as the material they are made from.
Dr. Gilberto Tostado, DDS, MS, grew up around dental labs, with a father and grandfather who were both dentists. Today he’s a prosthodontist, trained in a three-year residency at the University of Southern California, and a member of the American College of Prosthodontists
Dr. Karina Acuña, DDS, AEGD, earned a Master’s in Restorative Dentistry and completed an advanced residency at UT Health San Antonio centered on cosmetic and digital care. She pairs that training with a whole-person, wellness-minded approach. Se habla español.
From Our Patients
Come See What Your Smile Could Be
Your aligner consultation is complimentary and pressure-free. Expect a tour of the office, a fresh-baked cookie if you’re lucky, and an honest look at your options. And no lectures, no matter how long it’s been since your last visit.
Veneers vs. SureSmile Aligners: Solving Different Problems
This one trips people up because both treatments change how your smile looks, but they solve different problems, and sometimes you need both.
| Feature | Veneers | SureSmile Aligners |
|---|---|---|
| What it fixes | Color, shape, chips, small gaps, surface imperfections | Crooked, crowded, or misaligned teeth, and bite issues |
| How it works | Custom shells bonded over your existing teeth | Clear aligners gradually move your teeth into position |
| Timeline | Completed in a few visits | Typically several months to over a year |
| Result | Changes how your teeth look right away | Changes where your teeth sit over time |
If your teeth are relatively straight but you do not love their color, shape, or a chip here and there, veneers get you there fast. If your teeth are noticeably misaligned or your bite feels off, straightening with SureSmile Aligners first, sometimes followed by veneers for any remaining cosmetic details, usually gets you a result that lasts longer. We can help you figure out which path, or which combination, actually fixes what is bothering you.
Your Next Step
You do not have to keep covering your mouth in photos, or holding back a laugh you would otherwise let go.
If you are ready to see what your smile could look like, schedule a consultation at our office in San Antonio, Tx. We will walk you through your options, answer every question you bring, and never push you toward more treatment than you actually need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SureSmile the same as Invisalign?
Both straighten teeth with clear, removable trays, so if you’ve been searching for Invisalign in San Antonio, SureSmile at 5 Star Dental Group treats the same concerns. Where SureSmile stands out: according to its manufacturer’s case data, 3 out of 4 SureSmile cases need no refinement trays, which means fewer surprises at the end of treatment. It also offers the optional VPro™ device, which may ease soreness and help shorten treatment, and a straight-edge tray design that can mean fewer attachments on your teeth.
How many hours a day do I wear them?
You should aim to wear your clear aligners for approximately 20 to 22 hours every single day to achieve optimal results and keep your treatment plan on schedule. Consistent daily wear ensures that the gentle, continuous pressure required to shift your teeth into alignment is maintained. Your aligners should only be removed during specific routine activities, such as eating meals and snacks, drinking any beverages other than plain water, and performing your daily oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing. Leaving them out for extended periods during the day can stall your progress or prolong your overall treatment timeline.
Will my aligners feel uncomfortable?
Expect a snug, pressing feeling for a day or two each time you start a new tray. This gentle pressure is completely normal and indicates that your aligners are actively guiding your teeth into alignment. Any minor discomfort usually fades quickly as your mouth adjusts, and you can manage it easily with over-the-counter pain relievers or by switching to your new set right before bedtime.
How long will I be in aligners?
Plan on roughly 12 to 18 months for most standard clear aligner treatments. However, the exact duration of your care depends on several individual factors, including the complexity of your alignment needs, the total number of tray sets required, and how consistently you wear your aligners for the recommended 20 to 22 hours each day. At 5 Star Dental Group, your doctor will perform a comprehensive 3D digital scan during your consultation at our San Antonio office to map out every tooth movement and give you a precise, personalized timeline for your new smile..
What are attachments?
Attachments are small, tooth-colored composite resin bumps that we custom-bond directly to specific teeth during your clear aligner treatment. Because aligners are smooth, certain complex tooth movements, such as rotating a round tooth or extruding a tooth, require additional leverage. These subtle attachments act as tiny anchor points, allowing your clear trays to clip into place securely, grip each tooth precisely, and apply targeted force to guide them into their proper positions. They are carefully color-matched to your natural teeth to remain barely noticeable, and we gently polish them away completely once your treatment ends, leaving your enamel smooth and intact..
How do I keep my aligners clean?
Rinse your aligners thoroughly with lukewarm water every time you remove them to wash away saliva and prevent plaque buildup. Daily care is straightforward: brush them gently using a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear, mild soap or non-abrasive cleanser to avoid scratching the smooth plastic. Avoid using hot water, as it can warp or distort the custom shape of your trays, and never use abrasive toothpastes that can create microscopic scratches where bacteria accumulate. For an extra deep clean, you can also soak them in a specialized aligner cleaning solution or crystals. We’ll walk you through all the proper hygiene techniques, supply care instructions, and answer any questions on delivery day at 5 Star Dental Group
Do I need a retainer afterward?
Yes. Once your clear aligners finish guiding your teeth into their ideal positions, wearing a custom retainer is an essential step to protect your investment and preserve your brand-new smile. Teeth have a natural memory and tend to drift back toward their original alignment over time due to everyday chewing, aging, and natural movement. To prevent relapse, Dr. Tostado and Dr. Acuña will provide custom-fitted clear retainers that look and feel very similar to your aligner trays. You will typically wear them full-time for a brief stabilization period immediately following treatment, before transitioning to long-term night-time wear. By slipping your retainers in each night before bed, you can easily ensure your smile stays straight, healthy, and beautiful for years to come.
Will my insurance help?
While 5 Star Dental Group is an out-of-network provider, many dental insurance PPO plans feature orthodontic benefits that can be applied directly toward clear aligner treatment. Understanding your specific policy details and maximum allowable benefits can be confusing, which is why our San Antonio administrative team handles the entire process for you. We will verify your insurance plan prior to treatment, calculate a comprehensive estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses, and file all claims and paperwork on your behalf to help maximize your available coverage
What do clear aligners cost in San Antonio?
Depending on the complexity of your alignment needs and the duration of your treatment. Because every smile is unique, you’ll receive a completely transparent, detailed breakdown of your exact fee during your complimentary initial consultation. To keep your care accessible and stress-free, 5 Star Dental Group offers flexible payment options, including third-party financing through CareCredit and Cherry, which allow you to spread your investment into affordable monthly payments. Our experienced administrative team will also verify your PPO dental insurance benefits to ensure you maximize any available orthodontic coverage.