Traditional braces work, but they're not the only option anymore — clear aligners move teeth just as effectively for most cases. Smile Center Dentistry maps your full treatment plan digitally before your first tray ships.
A generic aligner kit ordered online skips the exam that catches problems a mail-order company can't see. We'd rather flag a cavity before treatment than have it worsen silently under a tray.
A licensed dentist reviews your bite and gum health before any aligner plan is approved — not a call-center technician. We see you in the chair, not just through an app, before any plan is finalized.
The digital scan means no messy impression trays and a simulation you can actually watch move. 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.
Mid-treatment check-ins catch tracking issues early, before they become a bigger correction. Refinements are a normal, expected part of many treatment plans, not a sign of failure.
Not every misalignment needs the same aligner protocol — here's what we offer after your scan.
The scan feeds directly into ClinCheck software so you can preview your projected result. We review the scan with you chairside, not in a follow-up email.
Your specific tooth movements are mapped tray by tray, with a projected timeline shown upfront. 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.
Once trays finish, a custom retainer holds your result — skipping this step is how relapse happens. Nighttime wear schedules are explained clearly, not left to guesswork.
Aligners work well for many teens and adults, but eligibility depends on which permanent teeth have erupted and your specific bite. 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.
You'll see your scan on screen and discuss what treatment could realistically achieve.
You approve the digital plan only after seeing the projected outcome, not blind.
Regular progress checks catch tracking issues early, keeping your timeline accurate.
"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."
"Attachments were explained clearly before they bonded them on, which I appreciated after reading horror stories online."
"18 months in trays and the retainer fitting afterward was just as thorough as the treatment itself."
"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. A realistic estimate upfront beats an optimistic one that slips later.
For most mild-to-moderate cases, yes — more complex bite issues may still need braces, and we'll tell you honestly which applies. 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.
Don't skip ahead to the next tray — call first so we can assess whether that's safe for your case. We keep your case file on hand so a replacement order is quick, not a delay.
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.
Yes — teeth can shift back without one, so retainer wear is part of every treatment plan we build. Nighttime wear is usually sufficient long-term, and we explain the schedule clearly.
Smile Center Dentistry provides Invisalign Clear Aligners to patients throughout Saugatuck and neighboring Saugatuck, CT communities, with digital scanning done in-house. Whether you're new to Saugatuck or a longtime resident, our scanning equipment is on-site and ready.
We'll show you a real simulation of your result before you commit to anything.
Call +1-866-227-2801