Invisalign Clear Braces

Many of the adults we service in our Leawood, KS dental office want straight, beautiful smiles but the idea of brackets and wires just don’t fit into their active professional or social lives. Metal hardware, dietary restrictions, and the extra care that braces require are too big a sacrifice for many. 

At McKnight Signature Dental, we understand your dilemma. We totally get that you don’t have time for inconveniences or desire a mouth full of wires and brackets.

Dr. Abbie McKnight and Dr. Megan Konz wanted to make orthodontic therapies available for adults who have experienced orthodontic relapse or for adults who did not have the opportunity to get braces in childhood. We think it’s never too late to achieve your dream smile.

With Invisalign clear aligners adults can finally have the straight, beautiful smiles they deserve, which is why our top Leawood, KS dentists offer clear braces here at McKnight Signature Dental.

If you would like to schedule an exam to learn whether Invisalign clear braces is the right therapy for you, contact our Leawood, KS dental office today. Or you can schedule a braces appointment online for your expediency. Also, get in touch if you have questions about Invisalign.

Here is a list of our most frequently asked questions for your convenience.

What is the difference between traditional braces and Invisalign?

Both traditional braces and Invisalign correct many of the same issues, but Invisalign is a more comfortable, practical, and discreet way to bring your smile in line.

Traditional braces rely on metal brackets and wires to straighten teeth. This metal can feel bulky inside the mouth and irritate your inner-cheeks. Traditional braces also require tightening appointments periodically. Additionally, you can’t remove traditional braces when brushing, flossing, eating, or drinking. This means you’ll miss cleaning some places and risk food particles lodging in the metal.

Invisalign clear aligners are made with smooth plastic and custom made to fit the contours of your teeth. They can be removed when brushing, flossing, eating, and drinking. This means better oral hygiene throughout therapy and none of the humiliation of trapped food particles.

What is the difference between Invisalign and ClearCorrect?

Invisalign in Leawood, KS and ClearCorrect are similar. However, Invisalign is the most trusted name in clear braces and one of the innovators when it comes to discreet braces.

How does Invisalign work?

The first step is visiting our Leawood, KS dental office for an exam by one of our dentists. Dr. Abbie McKnight or Dr. Megan Konz will evaluate you to make sure Invisalign is the right option for your specific dental issues.

To determine if you are a good candidate for clear braces, a full evaluation of the bite, jaw, teeth health, and gum health with one of our experienced dentists is necessary. They will go over your options and what you might expect as a final result.

Invisalign treatment times in Leawood, KS depend largely on your orthodontic needs and goals for your smile.

Once you decide to proceed with treatment, we will take photographs of the face and profile, a series of x-rays, and digital iTero impressions to precisely plan treatment. One of our top Leawood, KS dentists will send the information we gather to our Invisalign dental lab to create your custom aligners.

Once you receive your Invisalign aligners, we will fit them and make sure they feel comfortable. In some cases, tooth-colored “buttons” or attachments on the teeth will help guide movement. These are temporary and barely noticeable.

You will notice right away that your Invisalign aligners are smooth and comfortable. You can remove them for an hour or two per day to eat and clean your teeth, but you should wear them for at least 22 hours per day to keep your treatment on course and get to your new smile faster.

What issues does Invisalign correct?

Rather than metal brackets and wires, Invisalign braces rely on a series of crystal clear aligners to gradually nudge teeth into alignment over the course of treatment. 

Invisalign addresses many alignment issues including:

  • Overlapping or overcrowded teeth
  • Twisted teeth
  • Crooked teeth
  • Irregular spacing and gaps
  • Overbite or protruding teeth
  • Underbite
  • Non-uniform appearance to the smile

Is Invisalign painful?

Unlike traditional brackets and wires braces, Invisalign is designed for patient comfort.

Remember, your aligners are custom designed to fit the contours of your mouth. They require no tightening appointments and rely on low pressure to bring smiles in line. Low pressure is not a tight feeling but more like a cradling experience.

Patients tend to feel comfortable wearing their aligners 22 hours per day.

What are the oral health benefits of Invisalign?

In addition to having a straight smile for cosmetic reasons, properly aligned teeth are also easier to clean, provide more restorative options later, and result in an ideal bite.

When teeth are aligned properly, uneven wear and TMJ (temporomandibular joints) result in fewer painful jaw symptoms, headaches, and teeth grinding. Additionally, an even bite means less erosion, which reduces your risk for cavities, gum infections, and dental emergencies.

If you are a patient seeking a smile makeover, our dentists may recommend Invisalign as part of the first phase of treatment for better overall results.

Will people notice that I am wearing Invisalign?

Invisalign aligners are clear rather than opaque plastic, which means it would be very difficult for anyone to notice you’re wearing Invisalign.

The clear plastic, along with ease of wear, are among the top reasons that adults choose Invisalign over traditional braces.

Will I have to wear a retainer?

Your teeth have been trained to be in the wrong positions for years, and Invisalign guides them into their proper places. Following Invisalign therapy in Leawood, KS, a custom retainer is prescribed to “train” your teeth to remain in their new proper positions. This protects your investment and prevents relapse.

Dr. Abbie McKnight or Dr. Megan Konz will provide instructions following your Invisalign therapy, letting you know how long to wear your retainer and how often.

Does my insurance cover Invisalign?

Some insurance plans have an orthodontic option, and our kind staff is available to help you sort out your benefits and file claims on your behalf—both in- and out-of-network.

At McKnight Signature Dental, we do not want anything to stand in the way of your oral health or peace of mind. This is why we accept several payment options including:

  • Cash
  • All major credit cards
  • Checks

We have also partnered with Wells Fargo to help you get the financing you need for your dental health. Wells Fargo offers interest-free repayment options and long-term financing.

If you have questions about insurance coverage or financing options, get in touch with our Leawood, KS dental office.

Contact Our Leawood, KS Dental Office Today

If you’re considering cosmetic dentistry or want to resolve painful jaw issues by straightening your teeth and want to know which options will give you the smile you have always wanted, contact us to arrange an orthodontic appointment with Dr. Abbie McKnight or Dr. Megan Konz, and get the answers you need to make an informed choice.