Invisalign Clear Aligners in the Phoenix Metro
Straighten your teeth discreetly with custom clear aligners — guided by a Diamond Provider with 1,500+ cases completed.
Crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth affect more than how your smile looks — they can make brushing and flossing difficult, contribute to gum disease, and cause uneven wear that leads to bigger problems down the road. But if the thought of metal braces as an adult makes you cringe, you are not alone.
Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, virtually invisible aligner trays to gradually shift your teeth into their ideal positions. Each set of SmartTrack material aligners is precisely engineered to move specific teeth at specific stages of your treatment, delivering predictable results without wires, brackets, or monthly tightening appointments.
At Summit Ridge Dental, Invisalign treatment is led by Dr. James Patel, DMD — an Invisalign Diamond Provider who has completed more than 1,500 cases. Diamond Provider status is earned by the top 1% of Invisalign dentists by case volume, and it means Dr. Patel has the depth of experience to handle everything from mild crowding to complex bite corrections.
Benefits of Invisalign Clear Aligners
Virtually Invisible
Clear aligner trays are nearly undetectable when worn. Most people will not notice you are straightening your teeth.
Eat Whatever You Want
Remove your aligners to eat and drink. No food restrictions, no getting popcorn stuck in brackets.
Easy to Keep Clean
Brush and floss normally — no threading floss through wires. Better oral hygiene during treatment.
More Comfortable
Smooth plastic trays mean no metal poking your cheeks or tongue. Mild pressure is the most you will feel.
Fewer Appointments
Check-in visits every 6 to 10 weeks instead of monthly adjustments. Less time in the dental chair.
See Your Results First
Dr. Patel uses ClinCheck to show you a 3D preview of your treatment outcome before you start.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost in Tempe?
Invisalign treatment at Summit Ridge Dental typically ranges from $3,500 to $6,500, depending on the complexity and duration of your case. Insurance plans with orthodontic benefits often cover $1,000 to $3,000 of the cost.
The price of Invisalign depends on how much tooth movement is needed. Minor cases involving light crowding or small gaps fall toward the lower end of the range, while comprehensive cases requiring significant bite correction are closer to the higher end. During your free smile assessment, Dr. Patel will scan your teeth with the iTero digital scanner, review your ClinCheck treatment plan, and provide an exact cost.
We accept all major dental insurance plans with orthodontic benefits and handle the paperwork for you. CareCredit financing is available for the remaining balance, often making Invisalign as affordable as $150 to $250 per month.
What Is Invisalign and How Does It Work?
Invisalign is an orthodontic system that uses a series of custom-fabricated clear plastic aligner trays to move your teeth gradually over time. Each set of aligners is worn for one to two weeks before switching to the next set in the sequence. Each tray is engineered to move specific teeth by small, controlled increments — typically 0.25 to 0.33 millimeters per stage.
The aligners are made from Invisalign's patented SmartTrack material, a medical-grade thermoplastic that is BPA-free and designed for comfort and precise fit. Small tooth-colored attachment buttons may be bonded to certain teeth to give the aligners additional grip for more complex movements. Interproximal reduction (IPR) — a technique where tiny amounts of enamel are removed between teeth — may also be used to create space for alignment.
Dr. Patel plans every case using ClinCheck, Invisalign's proprietary 3D treatment planning software. The software maps your entire treatment from start to finish, showing exactly how your teeth will move at each stage. You can see a 3D animation of your projected results before you commit to treatment.
What Is the Invisalign Process Like?
Invisalign treatment at Summit Ridge Dental starts with a free smile assessment and digital scan, followed by ClinCheck treatment planning, custom aligner fabrication, and check-in visits every 6 to 10 weeks for 6 to 18 months.
Step 1: Free Smile Assessment
Your Invisalign journey begins with a consultation at any of our three offices. Dr. Patel examines your teeth, takes digital photos, and uses the iTero scanner to create a precise 3D model of your mouth — no goopy impression trays. The entire scan takes about two minutes and is completely comfortable.
Step 2: ClinCheck Treatment Plan
Dr. Patel uses the scan data to build your custom treatment plan in ClinCheck. He maps every tooth movement, determines where attachment buttons are needed, and optimizes the sequence of aligner changes. You will see a 3D animation showing your teeth moving from their current position to their final alignment — so you know exactly what to expect.
Step 3: Aligner Fabrication
Once you approve the ClinCheck plan, your custom aligners are fabricated by Invisalign's lab and shipped to our office. You will receive several sets of aligners at each visit, switching to a new set every one to two weeks at home.
Step 4: Wear Your Aligners
Wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them only to eat, drink anything besides water, and brush or floss. Each set of trays makes small adjustments that accumulate over time into significant movement.
Step 5: Check-In Visits
You will visit our office every 6 to 10 weeks so Dr. Patel can monitor your progress, place or adjust attachments, and provide your next sets of aligners. These visits are typically brief — 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 6: Retainers
When your treatment is complete, you will wear retainers to keep your teeth in their new positions. Dr. Patel provides custom Vivera retainers (made by Invisalign) that are worn nightly to maintain your results long-term.
What Can Invisalign Fix?
Invisalign treats a wide range of orthodontic issues in both adults and teens:
Crowded teeth: Teeth that overlap or are rotated due to insufficient jaw space.
Gaps between teeth: Spacing issues caused by missing teeth, jaw growth, or habits.
Overbite: Upper front teeth that extend too far over the lower teeth.
Underbite: Lower teeth that protrude past the upper teeth.
Crossbite: Upper and lower teeth that do not align properly when the jaw is closed.
Open bite: Upper and lower teeth that do not touch when the jaw is closed.
Dr. Patel has treated all of these conditions with Invisalign across his 1,500+ cases. During your consultation, he will assess your specific orthodontic needs and confirm whether Invisalign is the right fit — or whether traditional braces or another approach would deliver better results for your situation.
Dr. James Patel, DMD
Invisalign Diamond Provider
Midwestern University · 1,500+ Invisalign cases · 9+ years experience · Member, ADA & AAID
Dr. James Patel, DMD
Dr. Patel earned his Invisalign Diamond Provider designation by completing more than 1,500 cases — placing him in the top 1% of Invisalign dentists nationwide by volume. A Phoenix native, he completed his DMD at Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine and his General Practice Residency at Lutheran Medical Center before joining Summit Ridge Dental in 2017.
His approach to Invisalign emphasizes precise ClinCheck planning, realistic treatment timelines, and consistent communication so patients always know where they stand. He practices primarily at our Tempe office, with Invisalign appointments also available in Gilbert.
View Dr. Patel's Full BioInvisalign Before & After
Crowding Correction
Gap Closure
Bite Correction
"I was self-conscious about my crowded teeth for years but could not imagine wearing braces as a 35-year-old professional. Dr. Patel made the entire Invisalign process seamless. Nobody at work even noticed I was straightening my teeth. Nine months later, my smile is perfectly straight."
— Jessica L. · Tempe, AZ · Invisalign Patient
Invisalign FAQs
Invisalign at Summit Ridge Dental ranges from $3,500 to $6,500 depending on complexity. Many insurance plans with orthodontic benefits cover $1,000 to $3,000. CareCredit financing can make treatment as affordable as $150 to $250 per month.
Most cases take 6 to 18 months. Mild crowding can be resolved in as little as 6 months, while more complex bite corrections may take 12 to 18 months. Dr. Patel will give you an accurate timeline during your ClinCheck consultation.
Most patients feel mild pressure for the first day or two after switching to a new set of aligners. This is normal and means the aligners are working. The sensation fades quickly and is generally much less uncomfortable than traditional braces.
Yes. Invisalign can treat overbites, underbites, crossbites, open bites, and deep bites. Dr. Patel has treated all of these conditions across his 1,500+ cases and will confirm whether Invisalign is appropriate for your specific bite issue.
For the vast majority of orthodontic cases, yes. Invisalign technology has advanced significantly and can now handle cases that were previously braces-only. Extremely complex jaw repositioning may still require traditional braces, and Dr. Patel will be upfront about which approach is best for you. Learn more on our Invisalign vs. Braces comparison page.
Aligners should be worn 20 to 22 hours per day. Remove them to eat, drink anything other than water, and brush or floss. Consistent wear is the single most important factor in keeping your treatment on schedule.
Many dental insurance plans with orthodontic benefits cover Invisalign the same way they cover braces — typically $1,000 to $3,000 toward total treatment cost. We verify your specific orthodontic benefits and handle all the insurance paperwork for you.
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Read More →Start Your Smile Assessment
Find out if Invisalign is right for you. Dr. Patel will scan your teeth, show you a preview of your results, and give you a clear cost estimate — all at no charge.