Invisalign

Crowding, spacing, and bites that have drifted over the years are the issues we hear about most. Some patients had braces as a teenager, stopped wearing a retainer, and watched their front teeth slowly overlap again. Others never had orthodontic treatment at all and have reached a point — a new job, a wedding, a milestone birthday — where they want to do something about it. We also treat teens who are good candidates and responsible enough to keep their trays in, and we welcome orthodontic transfer patients who started treatment elsewhere and moved into the Downriver area.

Because we have a board-certified orthodontist on staff alongside our general dentists, we can give you a straight answer about whether aligners are the right tool for your case or whether traditional braces would get you a better result. Not every bite is best treated with clear aligners, and we would rather tell you that up front than start you down a path that does not fit the problem. That conversation happens at a complimentary consultation, so there is no cost to find out where you stand.

Before anything is made, we look at the whole mouth. Active decay, gum disease, or a tooth that needs a crown gets addressed first, because moving teeth through an unhealthy foundation is not something we are willing to do. If you need a cleaning, a filling, or periodontal treatment beforehand, all of that is handled here by the same team, which keeps the timeline tight and spares you a referral across town.

The part that determines your result more than anything else is wear time. Aligners only work while they are in your mouth, and patients who leave them sitting in a case during the workday see treatment stretch out. Expect some pressure and tenderness for a day or two with each new tray — that sensation is the teeth responding. Practical things worth knowing before you commit:

• Trays come out for every meal and for anything other than water, and teeth get brushed before they go back in
• Attachments — small tooth-colored bumps bonded to certain teeth — are often needed to give the aligners something to grip
• Trays should be rinsed and cleaned daily so they stay clear and odor-free
• Smoking and coffee with trays in will stain them
• Checkups along the way let us confirm teeth are tracking as planned

Paying for Treatment

We accept all major PPO insurance plans, and we will run a complimentary benefits check so you know what your plan contributes before you decide anything. For patients paying out of pocket, we accept cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, and we offer CareCredit financing to spread payments over time.

Patients without dental insurance can join our in-house membership plan — $199 a year for adults, $99 for ages 17 and under — which covers exams, X-rays, two cleanings, and two fluoride treatments at 100% and takes 20% to 50% off other treatment, with no deductibles, no waiting period, and no annual maximum.