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. A dentist who has actually examined your mouth in person makes a different plan than an algorithm alone would.
A licensed dentist reviews your bite and gum health before any aligner plan is approved — not a call-center technician. In-person exams catch things a self-submitted photo scan simply can't.
You'll see a 3D simulation of your projected result before committing to treatment, tray by tray. Seeing the projected outcome upfront helps set realistic expectations from day one.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
"18 months in trays and the retainer fitting afterward was just as thorough as the treatment itself."
"Progress check-ins every few weeks kept me on track and caught a tray that wasn't fitting right."
"Screened me honestly and told me my case had some complexity that a mail-order kit would've missed entirely."
Minor crowding can finish faster; bite correction cases typically take longer, and we're upfront about which yours is. A realistic estimate upfront beats an optimistic one that slips later.
Aligners handle a wide range of cases well, but not every case; your exam determines eligibility. Effectiveness depends heavily on wear compliance, which we discuss openly at your consult.
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.
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. Financing options are available if the full amount upfront doesn't fit your budget.
Yes — teeth can shift back without one, so retainer wear is part of every treatment plan we build. Skipping retainer wear is the single most common reason results don't last.
Smile Center Dentistry provides Invisalign Clear Aligners to patients throughout Charleston and neighboring Charleston, IL 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