A digital scan replaces the goopy impression tray, and a ClinCheck simulation shows you the result before you start. Smile Center Dentistry maps your full treatment plan digitally before your first tray ships.
Aligners only work if you actually wear them, so we build a plan you can realistically stick to. A dentist who has actually examined your mouth in person makes a different plan than an algorithm alone would.
Every case is checked for cavities and gum disease first, since aligners can worsen untreated issues. We see you in the chair, not just through an app, before any plan is finalized.
You'll see a 3D simulation of your projected result before committing to treatment, tray by tray. We revisit the simulation at check-ins to confirm your teeth are tracking as planned.
We explain exactly which teeth need attachments and why, before they're bonded on. Attachments are removed cleanly once treatment finishes, with no lasting mark on the tooth.
If your teeth aren't tracking with the trays as planned, we issue refinement trays at no extra charge within the program. We'd rather catch a tracking issue at week six than let it compound for months.
Not every misalignment needs the same aligner protocol — here's what we offer after your scan.
An intraoral scanner captures your bite in minutes, no impression putty required. We review the scan with you chairside, not in a follow-up email.
We adjust the digital plan based on your exam findings, not a template applied to every patient. Expect a plan that accounts for your actual bite, not just crowding.
Interproximal reduction — filing a small amount of enamel between teeth — is used sparingly and explained before it's done. We only use what your specific case actually needs.
If teeth aren't tracking exactly as planned midway through, refinement trays correct course. These are included in your treatment plan, not billed as a surprise extra.
We fit and explain retainer wear before you finish your last tray, not after teeth have already started shifting back. Nighttime wear schedules are explained clearly, not left to guesswork.
We screen for eligibility honestly rather than enrolling every patient who asks. If aligners aren't the right fit, we'll say so and discuss alternatives.
We check basic eligibility over the phone before booking your scan appointment.
A quick intraoral scan and bite exam determine whether aligners are the right fit for your case.
We walk through your simulated result tray by tray before you commit to treatment.
Your first trays are fitted, with check-ins scheduled to confirm they're tracking as planned.
"Tried a mail-order aligner company first and it didn't check my gums at all. Switched here and they caught early gum recession before starting."
"Needed refinement trays halfway through and they didn't charge extra — said it was normal for my case."
"They actually checked my bite before starting, not just my crowding — caught something a mail kit would have missed."
"Digital scan took ten minutes, no gagging on impression goop like my last dentist."
"My teenager did aligners here and they were careful about checking which adult teeth had actually come in first."
Most cases run 6 to 18 months depending on complexity — we give you a specific estimate after your scan. We update your timeline at progress checks if tracking runs ahead or behind schedule.
Aligners handle a wide range of cases well, but not every case; your exam determines eligibility. We'd rather refer you to an orthodontist for a complex case than force it into aligners.
Some cases need small bonded attachments for precise movement, others don't — it depends on which teeth need to move and how. We explain the purpose of each attachment before bonding it on.
Call us and we'll get a replacement ordered quickly so your treatment timeline doesn't stall. Wearing your previous tray a bit longer while we order a replacement is usually the safest move.
Cost depends on case complexity and number of trays needed — we quote a specific range after your scan and exam. We'd rather you know the total cost before starting than discover fees along the way.
We fit your retainer before your last tray is done, so there's no gap where teeth could relapse. Nighttime wear is usually sufficient long-term, and we explain the schedule clearly.
Smile Center Dentistry provides Invisalign Clear Aligners to patients throughout Santee and neighboring Santee, CA communities, with digital scanning done in-house. Progress check appointments are scheduled locally too, so you're not traveling far throughout treatment.
We'll show you a real simulation of your result before you commit to anything.
Call +1-866-227-2801