Personalized Treatment From Your Kansas City & Sedalia Orthodontist
At Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics, we strive to provide our patients with the highest quality treatments possible. We know that every mouth is different, and each patient deserves treatment options that are specific to their unique smile. That’s why Dr. Kurt Kavanaugh offers various types of braces for those in and around Kansas City and Sedalia, MO.
Before thinking about an orthodontic treatment for you, it’s important to know the differences between your options. Braces are a type of fixed appliance, meaning that they can only be removed from your teeth by your orthodontist. They are bound to your teeth with metal bands or cement and stay on your teeth until treatment is complete. Removable appliances, such as Invisalign, are worn about 22 hours out of the day and may be taken off by the patient as needed. While removable appliances are effective in treating mild to moderate cases, fix appliances are generally used for more complicated or serious orthodontic cases.
Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most traditional and most common form of braces. Made from high-grade stainless steel, these braces are one of the most durable, reliable and affordable treatment options for patients who want to change their smile. Metal braces are fixed in place with metal brackets cemented to the front of the teeth metal bands that wrap around the back. Modern metal braces use smaller and lighter brackets than those used in the past, making them more comfortable for the patient and less visible to others.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces have gained popularity recently as a less noticeable alternative to traditional metal braces. These braces are commonly preferred by adolescents and adults because of their clear appearance. They use the same components as metal braces, except the brackets are made of a translucent ceramic material that blends in with the natural color of your teeth. While ceramic braces can be less durable and more expensive than metal braces, their discreet nature is very valuable to some of our patients.
Invisalign
For patients looking for a more discreet orthodontic treatment, we recommend considering Invisalign. Invisalign is one of our more popular treatments with adults and teenagers who want to straighten their teeth without a noticeable orthodontic appliance. The treatment is a series of clear aligners that are customized to your teeth. Since the Invisalign system requires fewer orthodontic visits and is easy to manage at home, the treatment also gives patients more flexibility.
Which Treatment Is Right For You?
The best way to determine which type of braces is right for you is to speak with your local Kansas City orthodontist at Kavanaugh Orthodontics. Dr. Kavanaugh will thoroughly exam your smile in the consultation, and afterward he will discuss the best treatment options for you in depth. To schedule an appointment, please contact us by calling our Sedalia office at (660) 829-2900 or our Kansas City office at (816) 420-8100. You may also email us at [email protected] or request an appointment online at any time.
We hope to hear from you soon and help you on your way to a lifelong healthy, beautiful smile!