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.
Aligners only work if you actually wear them, so we build a plan you can realistically stick to. We'd rather flag a cavity before treatment than have it worsen silently under a tray.
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.
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.
Small tooth-colored attachments and interproximal reduction are planned precisely, not applied as an afterthought. IPR amounts are calculated conservatively and never exceed what's actually needed for movement.
If your teeth aren't tracking with the trays as planned, we issue refinement trays at no extra charge within the program. 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.
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.
Refinements are a normal part of aligner treatment for many patients, not a sign something went wrong. 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.
Regular progress checks catch tracking issues early, keeping your timeline accurate.
"The ClinCheck simulation showed me exactly where my teeth would end up — and it matched the final result almost exactly."
"Attachments were explained clearly before they bonded them on, which I appreciated after reading horror stories online."
"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."
"Screened me honestly and told me my case had some complexity that a mail-order kit would've missed entirely."
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.
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. Attachments are small and tooth-colored, designed to be as unnoticeable as possible.
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.
We break down the full program cost upfront, including retainers, before you commit. 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 Utica and neighboring Utica, MI communities, with digital scanning done in-house. Whether you're new to Utica 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