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.
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. 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. IPR amounts are calculated conservatively and never exceed what's actually needed for movement.
Mid-treatment check-ins catch tracking issues early, before they become a bigger correction. 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.
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.
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.
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.
"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."
"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. 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.
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.
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 Cahokia and neighboring Cahokia, IL communities, with digital scanning done in-house. Whether you're new to Cahokia 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