Quality Orthodontic Treatment in Kansas City & Sedalia
At Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics, we believe everyone deserves a healthy, beautiful smile that they can truly feel proud of their whole life long. That's why Dr. Kurt Kavanaugh and our highly trained team of orthodontic specialists work with every patient individually, designing personalized treatment plans that perfectly suit each patient's unique orthodontic needs and lifestyle. We're proud to provide expert orthodontic care to patients of every age in the Kansas City & Sedalia areas, but without a doubt, the most common age for our patients to get braces is during adolescence – and there's good reason for that!
Why Adolescent Orthodontics?
Orthodontic treatment is so common for teenagers that it's almost become a rite of passage – but there are more reasons than just tradition for the prevalence of adolescent treatment. For starters, the permanent teeth have largely grown in by the time a patient reaches adolescence, which means the changes we make through orthodontic treatment will last a lifetime. Additionally, teenagers have a high metabolism and experience major growth spurts that we can use to speed up treatment times and move teeth faster. Finally, there's a social element: braces are so common among teenagers that teen patients are very accepting of getting them. In fact, some teens want braces just to fit in with their friends!
Orthodontic Treatment Options for Teens
We know every patient is different, and we're proud to offer a variety of orthodontic treatment options to our teenage patients. Whether you're looking for a durable, sturdy, and reliable option or a more aesthetically pleasing treatment method, we'll work with you to select the perfect orthodontic treatment for your unique situation. Our treatment options include:
- Metal Braces: This is what most people think of when they hear the word "braces." Composed of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces offer a durable, reliable, and cost-effective treatment for almost any orthodontic condition, and they remain the most popular treatment we offer.
- Clear Braces: Clear braces work much the same way as metal braces, with one key difference: instead of stainless steel, the brackets are composed of a transparent ceramic composite material. This makes them blend in with teeth and gives them an undeniable aesthetic appeal, but also makes them a little more fragile and expensive than traditional braces.
- Invisalign: Invisalign is a radically different approach to moving teeth that does away with brackets and wires entirely. Instead, Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners to straighten the teeth. The aligners are virtually invisible when worn and can be popped in and out for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing – so teens can still enjoy their favorite foods, easily maintain oral hygiene, and never have to worry about having braces for prom, school pictures, or other important milestones. For busy, socially conscious teens, Invisalign offers some major advantages!
Contact Your Sedalia & Kansas City, MO Orthodontist
Adolescence is an exciting time, and achieving a healthy smile during this period is a decision that will pay off for the rest of a patient's life – and if you or your child are ready to start down the road towards a beautiful new smile, we would be thrilled to help. Feel free to call us at 816-420-8100 for our Kansas City office or 660-829-2900 for our Sedalia office with any questions, reach out to us at our contact page, or request a consultation online at either of our offices. We truly can't wait to hear from you, and we're so excited to help you or your child achieve a beautiful, healthy new smile that lasts a lifetime!