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Wisdom teeth start erupting through the gums as early as age 16. For most people, these teeth are the last teeth to erupt around age 17 or 18. Unless there are complications with pushing through the gums, they are all the way through by age 19. What is most surprising is that a lot of misconceptions about wisdom teeth exist, but Kurt Kavanaugh Ortho can debunk most of them here.

Kavanaugh Orthodontics has one mission to help patients restore their smiles and lead happy productive lives. More importantly, Dr. Kavanaugh specializes in adult orthodontics, as well as helping young children understand the ins and outs regarding their oral health. However, once a patient has braces installed, how do they navigate the tricky process of adequately cleaning and restoring the integrity of their teeth? Here's what Dr. Kavanaugh recommends for his patients.

At Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics, we are committed to providing exceptional care. We treat many patients who want to correct bite problems with orthodontic headgear. Orthodontic headgear is an appliance that treats bite problems that are usually caused by improper jaw alignment, which is known as malocclusions.

Here at Kurt Kavanaugh Ortho, our Kansas City orthodontics services provide you with the very best dental care throughout your entire visit but also on an ongoing basis. If you’re looking to straighten your teeth and improve your bite, you have a few different options available. Part of the process includes wearing a retainer, and there are both removable and permanent varieties to choose from. While the experts at Kansas City Orthodontics can help you decide which one is the best option for you, we want to go over a little bit of information on this topic to get you started.

At Kavanaugh Orthodontics, we pride ourselves on providing not only premium orthodontic care in the Kansas City area but also the information our patients need to feel educated about their dental work.

When you think of orthodontics, your mind may go straight toward braces, but there are many other devices used in orthodontic care. At Kavanaugh Orthodontics, we will evaluate and treat each patient with a customized treatment plan ideal for their unique situation. The end goal is always a picture perfect smile, but the path to get there may look different for everyone.

Orthodontic Treatment at Kavanaugh Orthodontics Dr. Kavanaugh is committed to working with his patients to create a treatment plan that is both efficient and pleasing to the patient. There are many reasons why a patient may choose one form of braces over another, but sometimes just simple indecision is to blame. For those wondering, “are metal or ceramic braces the better choice?” - don’t worry! We’re here to answer that question!

Wisdom teeth are one of the biggest dental extractions people get in their lifetime. Many people do have to get them removed because it’s causing pain in their mouth and there’s no room for them to grow properly. But what happens if you don’t get them extracted? Are removing wisdom teeth truly necessary? At Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics, we have the answers you need to know about everything and anything wisdom teeth! Dr. Kavanaugh and his team help educate patients on what to know about orthodontic health. We offer a wide range of comprehensive services that can help patients dealing with oral problems. If you think that you need your wisdom teeth removed, here’s what you need to know.

Dr. Kavanaugh is always excited when it comes time to remove a set of braces! The removal of braces is the milestone that every orthodontics patient looks forward to - it means a healthy, attractive new smile, and a return to some normal habits without the hassle of brackets and wires. As a provider of top-quality orthodontics in Kansas City, the staff of Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics loves sharing these moments with our patients. However, this is not the end of your orthodontic treatment. The final stage of your treatment is one of the most long-term and important parts - retention.

Invisalign is an incredible orthodontic treatment option for patients who want to straighten their teeth discreetly, but besides the clear aligners, are there other benefits to Invisalign? And how long does Invisalign take to straighten your teeth? Here at Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics, your Kansas City Invisalign provider, our mission is to help patients achieve the smile they have always wanted, with the least amount of discomfort and without breaking the bank. Our comprehensive array of orthodontic treatments, including Invisalign and metal braces, makes us one of the top options when choosing an orthodontist in Kansas City. Find out below how long Invisalign takes to straighten your teeth and how we can help you get the smile of your dreams before you know it!

Getting your braces off is a really big deal, almost as much as getting them on in the first place! At Kurt Kavanaugh Ortho we know how exciting it is for our patients with braces in Kansas City, MO to finally see their brand new, beautiful smile. All the hard work, patience, and good oral habits have finally paid off, and the results are astounding, but it’s not quite over yet. Here’s what you can expect when your braces come off, along with some tips for making your new smile last a lifetime.

At Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics, we strive to provide our patients with the highest quality orthodontic treatment and give them the tools to maintain their orthodontic and dental health at home. Through treatments like Invisalign and metal braces in Kansas City, we work with patients to straighten their teeth and achieve a beautiful, functional smile. Dr. Kavanaugh and his staff enjoy talking to patients about their oral hygiene, how best to brush their teeth with braces, and even which toothpaste to buy! We are truly there for you at every step of your orthodontic treatment.

Everyone knows that braces are an effective teen and adult orthodontic treatment that can straighten out your smile, but less talked about are the other elements of life with braces

Many of us know that it really is never too late to begin the orthodontic process, but did you know that starting the orthodontic process sooner makes it more effective? It’s recommended that children see an orthodontist by age 7. Here are some reasons to take your child or teen to see the orthodontist today.

Dental emergencies happen. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), dental emergencies “are potentially life threatening and require immediate treatment to stop ongoing tissue bleeding [or to] alleviate severe pain or infection.” They’re often unprecedented, but one should always keep tools handy in case an emergency occurs—especially during our ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) worldly crisis because this can make the difference between saving a tooth or enduring infection, pain, or heaven forbid total tooth loss. For just these instances, our team at Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics has come up scenarios that are considered dental emergencies and have included tips to adhere by in case of a dental emergency.

Summer is here! Now that Dr. Kurt Kavanaugh is beginning to see more and more non-essential patients and we’re experiencing longer days, it’s the perfect time to set up your child’s orthodontic treatment, traditional braces! There are many reasons why the summertime is the perfect season and best time for kids to get braces. Allow our warm and friendly team to explore these reasons with you, below!

At Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics, we work hard to give you a smile that you love and are proud of. To do so, our orthodontist may need to use early orthodontic care, suggest orthodontic appliances like braces or Invisalign, or remove a patient’s wisdom teeth.

The holiday season is the best time for sweets and treats. Unfortunately, this can be a little difficult for those who wear braces. At Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics, we want to make sure your orthodontic treatment continually works and straightens your teeth appropriately, avoiding any and all orthodontic issues, especially during the holidays.

At Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics, our mission is to help patients throughout the Sedalia and Kansas City, MO areas achieve beautiful, healthy smiles through comprehensive orthodontic treatment. We're proud to offer a wide variety of treatment options ranging from traditional metal braces to discreet alternatives like Invisalign to help our patients achieve that smile, but in addition to the care we provide in our office, how you care for your smile at home is vital to the success of your treatment. That means maintaining a comprehensive oral hygiene regimen through diligent brushing and flossing is critical – but which toothbrush is best to use with braces?

Did your child get braces over the summer and are now heading into school with new orthodontic appliances? No need to worry or be nervous, Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics will help you through the adjustment period. Whether you’ve got braces, ceramic braces, or Invisalign, our children’s orthodontist and staff can help prepare you for the new school year! We have the tips and tricks to walk confidently into another school year and crush your studies. For questions or concerns, call or stop by one of our offices in Kansas City or Sedalia!

Considering getting your child braces? Here are some things to consider before you make your decision. The first step? Coming in for a consultation. Click here to read.

Do you suspect your child may need orthodontic treatment? Watch for these common signs & book an appointment at your Kansas City orthodontist today!

At Dr. Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics in Kansas City, MO, our staff knows the importance of good oral hygiene! Check out our blog today to learn more!

As a trusted Kansas City children’s orthodontist, Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics proudly offers a variety of orthodontic treatments, from metal and ceramic braces to Invisalign — we do it all! However, we also realize it’s not just important to have a beautiful smile you love — we want to help you keep that confident smile healthy, too! But, according to one nation-wide study, there is a common dental pain affecting nearly 50% of the American population — tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is a sharp, often sudden pain experienced when a tooth is exposed to certain outside stimuli. However, before we discuss treatment for sensitive teeth, let’s first understand what causes teeth to become sensitive.

At Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics, we take pride in helping patients of all ages throughout the Sedalia & Kansas City, MO communities achieve healthier smiles through quality orthodontic care. While braces are the most popular treatment we offer, more and more patients are choosing the convenience of Invisalign. If you're considering straightening your teeth with Invisalign, you probably know that you can get it from an orthodontist – but can you get Invisalign from a dentist? And what's the difference between Invisalign from a dentist vs. an orthodontist?

Summer is here, and that's certainly something to smile about! If you're heading into the summer season with braces, you can still enjoy all the activities and pastimes that iconify summertime – but when it comes to diet, you'll have to be careful. While it may be tempting to bite into a juicy apple or crunch corn on the cob, these foods – and many more – are dangerous for braces. At Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics, we want all of our Kansas City and Sedalia patients to enjoy summer no matter what orthodontic treatment they're getting, so here are our recommendations on the tastiest braces-friendly summer recipes!

At Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics, we believe in providing more than orthodontic services to patients in Kansas City & Sedalia, MO. We are passionate about being involved in local charities and giving back to our community. That’s why Dr. Kurt Kavanaugh is partnered with Smiles Change Lives, a program through which he provides braces and other orthodontic treatments to children who would not otherwise have access to it.

On April 30th, 2017, Dr. Kurt Kavanaugh and many members of his staff took part in the CCVI Trolley Run. The Trolley Run is the largest timed four-mile races in the country, and all proceeds from the race go directly to critical programming at the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired. As the father of a child who is deaf and blind, this cause is particularly important to Dr. Kurt Kavanaugh, and his support of the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired has been ongoing for many years.

At Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics, we aim to give each and every patient in Kansas City & Sedalia the opportunity of achieving the beautiful smile that they deserve. We aim to accomplish this through our high-quality orthodontic treatments, including many types of braces. However, attaining a great smile requires more than just orthodontic treatment – it requires a constant commitment to oral hygiene. If you happen to be wearing braces, here are some proper oral hygiene tips we suggest to keep your mouth as healthy as it can be.

At Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics, we have years of experience working with children in Kansas City, Sedalia, and the surrounding areas. Whether your child needs an early evaluation or it’s time for a routine appointment for their braces, we've developed the skills and knowledge to make almost every visit to our office a pleasant experience for all involved. As a parent, though, there are things you can do to help - so here are our biggest tips for making sure your next visit with us is tear-free and full of smiles!

It's finally closing in on the end of 2016, and we know many of our patients are starting their lists of New Year's Resolutions to better themselves in the coming year. We're sure many patients will include important things like exercising regularly, eating better, and cleaning up the house a little more – but in 2017, why not show your teeth some New Year's love? Here are a few New Year's Resolutions that will help you achieve a healthier, more beautiful smile and make 2017 the best year yet for your teeth!

At Kavanaugh Orthodontics, we strive to be your premier choice when you’re looking for a Kansas City or Sedalia, MO orthodontist. Along with providing high quality orthodontic treatments such as braces and Invisalign, we also aim to be your source for orthodontic advice and knowledge throughout the entire treatment process. As Christmas is coming up, this brings a new set of challenges for those who normally enjoy the finer parts of the holiday – namely, the candy and delicious foods! Allow us to take the time to offer you some tips on how to get through the holiday without causing any damage to your braces.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and we know that means many of our patients are looking forward to some much-deserved R&R;, time spent reconnecting with loved ones, and digging into the delicious foods we all love to enjoy during the Thanksgiving feast. For patients with braces, however, Thanksgiving can pose a major dilemma. Many of the foods we love to enjoy on Thanksgiving are hard, sticky, or full of sugars, all of which can damage braces and teeth. To help you celebrate this year's Thanksgiving without damaging your braces, we've put together a couple of Thanksgiving recipes that are sure to delight your tastebuds and keep your smile healthy!

If you fill your car with bad gasoline - maybe some that has somehow been mixed with a bit of water, dirt, or other foreign matter - you’ll probably have a good deal of trouble getting your car to travel down the road. The same is true of food that fuels your body. What you eat has a significant impact on your attitude, health, and well-being.

It is very important to take good care of your smile as your oral health has a direct impact on your overall, body health. While both orthodontists and dentists work to keep their patients' smiles healthy and attractive, there are distinct differences regarding the types of services these two dental professionals provide. If you have an problem with your teeth, it's important to know if you should call your orthodontist or a dentist to get the treatment you need.

Straight and properly aligned teeth provide us with aesthetically pleasing and beautiful smiles, but did you know that there is more to straight teeth than just looks? Good oral health can actually be beneficial to your overall health, as well! Our team at Kavanaugh Orthodontics has put together what we believe are the top ten benefits of straight teeth.

The doctors at Kavanaugh Orthodontics are proud to offer personalized, high quality orthodontics to patients of all ages.

Winter is coming, and that means beautiful holiday decorations, hearty feasts, and lots of friends and family gatherings that we don’t what to be sick for.

School has been in session for over a month now, and you may have been stressing over whether the cafeteria is providing your child with enough braces-friendly choices.