Most patients call an orthodontist first. Dr. Goldstein thinks that is the wrong order. Alignment affects where every veneer, crown, and restoration will land. A cosmetic prosthodontist who sees that full picture before treatment starts can make sure the result is built around your smile design, not retrofitted to it. It is also important to have a second set of eyes to ensure that the orthodontic result is correct before they tell you it is finished. We act as your captain and hold the orthodontist to a high standard.
Minor Tooth Correction with Invisalign at Goldstein Dental Center
Dr. Goldstein offers Invisalign for minor tooth correction, primarily for patients whose alignment is part of a broader cosmetic or restorative plan. This is not a standalone orthodontic service. It is a clinical step in a sequenced treatment approach, used when getting teeth in the right position first will produce a better cosmetic result.
Cases he treats with Invisalign typically involve mild crowding, minor spacing issues, or slight misalignment that would affect how cosmetic work sits. Complex bite corrections, significant rotations, and cases requiring extractions are referred to trusted orthodontic partners like Dr.’s Yurfest and Huber.
The scope is deliberate. By focusing on minor correction, Dr. Goldstein manages the full plan: alignment, cosmetic preparation, and final restorations, with one point of accountability for the outcome.
Why See a Cosmetic Dentist Before an Orthodontist
The question most patients never ask before starting clear aligner treatment: what are we aligning toward? Orthodontics moves teeth. It does not account for where your veneers will go, how your bite will function after restorations, or whether the teeth themselves need contouring before alignment begins.
Dr. Goldstein describes himself as the quarterback of this process, which is an accurate description of the role. He evaluates patients before they commit to any alignment treatment, determines whether clear aligners are the right approach, and assesses whether any teeth should be contoured or sculpted first. In some cases, shaping a tooth before it is moved changes the final result significantly. Many front teeth have a triangular shape and they really should be square to prevent the dark triangles we see on so many patients at the gum line. Catching this before orthodontics begins is essential. Most orthodontists do not flag it, and simply line up the malshaped teeth.
This sequencing is the part no clear aligner brochure covers. For patients planning veneers, bonding, or full-mouth restoration alongside alignment, the order of treatment directly shapes what is possible. Starting with Dr. Goldstein means the orthodontic goal is built into the cosmetic plan from the beginning, not figured out at the end.
Are You a Candidate? What Dr. Goldstein Looks For
Invisalign at Goldstein Dental Center is for patients with mild to moderate crowding or spacing who are seeking alignment as part of a cosmetic or restorative goal. It is well-suited for:
- Patients planning veneers or cosmetic work who need teeth aligned first
- Cases where minor spacing or crowding affects how restorations will fit
- Patients who want Invisalign managed by a cosmetic dentist who understands the full treatment picture
Invisalign has limits. Cases involving significant bite correction, complex rotations, or extractions require orthodontic expertise beyond what Invisalign handles well. In those cases, Dr. Goldstein refers to his orthodontic partners, Drs. Yurfest and Huber and Dr. Arjun Patel, and coordinates the cosmetic plan around their work.
The consultation is where this determination happens. Not every inquiry results in Invisalign at GDC, and that is by design.
What to Expect: The Invisalign Process at Goldstein
The process starts with a consultation. Dr. Goldstein evaluates your bite, spacing, and cosmetic goals together. If alignment makes sense, he determines whether any contouring should happen before you begin wearing aligners. If the case is beyond what aligners handle well, he refers to the appropriate specialist and stays involved in coordinating the cosmetic outcome.
For patients who move forward with clear aligner treatment at GDC, the treatment follows this sequence:
- Consultation and treatment planning
- Pre-aligner preparation, including contouring or preliminary restorations if needed
- Aligner delivery and fitting
- Progress check appointments
- Completion and retention planning
Clear aligners require 22 hours of wear per day. They work when patients follow that protocol. For minor correction cases, typical treatment time runs 4 to 8 months.
Why Dr. Goldstein
Dr. Cary Goldstein has practiced cosmetic and restorative dentistry in Atlanta for more than 40 years. His training includes a Certificate of Prosthodontics from the University of Southern California (1986) and a DMD from the Medical College of Georgia (1984), a foundation that shapes how he approaches any case requiring multiple treatment phases.
He served as President of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry in 2020, has delivered more than 100 continuing education lectures worldwide, and is a Professor at the Dental College of Georgia. Atlanta Magazine has named him a Top Dentist every year from 2017 to 2026.
That background is directly relevant when deciding where to start an alignment case. A dentist who has planned and delivered thousands of cosmetic and restorative outcomes knows what the teeth need to look like before the aligners come off. That level of planning is what you get at Goldstein Dental Center.
Invisalign® Questions, Answered
How much does Invisalign cost in Atlanta?
Most minor correction cases run $2,500 to $5,000. Cost depends on the scope of treatment. Financing options are available. The consultation is the right place to get an accurate estimate based on your specific case.
How long does Invisalign take?
For the minor correction cases Dr. Goldstein handles, treatment typically runs 4 to 8 months. More involved cases requiring significant tooth movement may take longer, though those are generally referred to orthodontic partners. Your treatment plan will include a projected timeline.
Is Invisalign covered by insurance?
Some dental and orthodontic plans include partial coverage, particularly when there is a functional component to the treatment. Cosmetic-only cases are less commonly covered. Dr. Goldstein’s team can check your benefits before your consultation.
Is Invisalign as effective as braces?
For cases it is designed for, mild to moderate crowding and spacing, yes. Invisalign moves teeth effectively when patients comply with the 22-hour wear requirement. For complex bite corrections, significant rotations, or cases requiring extractions, traditional orthodontics may achieve better results. That is part of why the consultation matters.
Should I see a cosmetic dentist or orthodontist for Invisalign?
If alignment is part of a larger cosmetic or restorative plan, see the cosmetic dentist first. The alignment goal needs to account for where veneers, crowns, and other restorations will land. Dr. Goldstein evaluates both needs together and sequences treatment accordingly. For cases requiring full orthodontic management, he refers to trusted partners and stays involved in the cosmetic coordination.
Do I need to wear Invisalign all day?
Aligners should be worn 22 hours a day for treatment to stay on track. They come out for eating, drinking anything other than water, and oral hygiene. The flexibility is one reason patients prefer Invisalign over braces. But the protocol has to be followed for the treatment to work as planned.
Our patients us in
Metro Atlanta
Start with a consultation. Dr. Goldstein will assess whether Invisalign is the right step, in the right sequence, for your treatment goals.
Serving patients in Buckhead, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, and the surrounding metro Atlanta area.