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. In-person exams catch things a self-submitted photo scan simply can't.
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.
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.
Treatment length and complexity vary a lot, so we tailor the plan rather than selling a one-size package.
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.
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.
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.
"The ClinCheck simulation showed me exactly where my teeth would end up — and it matched the final result almost exactly."
"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."
"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."
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.
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.
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.
Our aligner program serves South Pasadena and the surrounding zip codes, so nearby residents get dentist-supervised care close to home. Progress check appointments are scheduled locally too, so you're not traveling far throughout treatment.
Licensed, scan-equipped, and local to South Pasadena — call and find out if you qualify.
Call +1-866-227-2801