Orthodontics & Clear Aligners

Whether you need a small tweak or a total transformation, clear aligners like Invisalign offer a fast, comfortable, and nearly invisible way to straighten and improve your smile in often less than one year!

What to Expect During Your Exam

Kirkwood Family Dental is excited to be able to offer clear aligners to our patients interested in orthodontics. These clear aligner trays work by slowly and accurately moving teeth into a new position with each new tray. Often, small tooth-colored composite attachments are bonded onto select teeth in order to help the trays apply pressure to the teeth. The trays are meant to be worn 22 hours per day while in treatment, and retainers are fabricated at the end. Usually, patients who are treated with clear aligners at Kirkwood Family Dental are finished with treatment in less than a year.

Convenience That Fits Your Life

Busy schedule? No problem! Clear aligners let you straighten your teeth without the hassle of traditional braces. There are no metal wires to adjust, no food restrictions, and fewer trips to the dentist. Plus, they’re removable—so you can eat, brush, and floss like normal while your smile transforms behind the scenes.

Confidence in Every Step

Nothing boosts confidence like knowing your smile is getting straighter—without anyone noticing! Clear aligners are virtually invisible, so you can go about your daily life, take photos, and speak with ease, all while working toward your perfect smile. By the time your treatment is done, you’ll be showing off a grin that’s as radiant as your confidence.

Comfort You Can Count On

Say goodbye to metal brackets and wires poking your gums! Clear aligners are designed with smooth, custom-fit trays that gently shift your teeth into place. No irritation, no rough edges—just a snug, comfortable fit that makes the journey to a straighter smile feel effortless.

Clear Aligners Results

Clear aligner / orthodontic therapy can vastly improve our smile and our bite. Aligning teeth into a healthy bite, makes them easier to brush, floss and keep clean, reduces plaque & tartar and chances of decay. When combined with restorative treatments such as veneers, crowns, and implants for a smile makeover -  straightening and aligning teeth that have gaps or overlapped can be a vital first step that reduces the need to grind teeth, improving the outcome and providing a long-term healthy smile and bite.

The advantage of clear aligners is that they can be removed from the mouth to eat and brush and are nearly invisible! The best part? We can simulate the end result even before we start making it much more predictable! You’re never too old to improve your smile and bite!

Clear Aligners: FAQs

  • Clear aligners gradually shift your teeth into place using a series of custom-made, removable trays. Each set of aligners applies gentle pressure to guide your teeth into alignment over time.

  • Anyone looking to correct crooked or misaligned teeth can benefit from clear aligners, but especially patients looking to improve their smile with Veneers or Crowns would often benefit from aligning and straightening their teeth prior to preparing the teeth. This allows us to be minimally invasive with the grinding/preparing of the teeth.

  • We begin with a consultation with an orthodontist to determine if the patient is a good candidate for aligners. Impressions, photos, and X-rays are taken of the teeth and mouth. Using a 3D computer imaging system, the orthodontist will create a treatment plan, which involves predicting how each set of aligners will redirect the movement of teeth. Afterward, a series of aligners are custom-made and given to the patient to wear in order to move their teeth into a more desirable position.

  • Throughout treatment, the patient is expected to wear the aligners for 20-22 hours per day for optimal efficacy. The aligners are removed for eating and brushing teeth. Patients typically change aligners every two weeks, although this timeframe may vary depending on the individual treatment plan. Patients may experience some discomfort and pressure when wearing new aligners, but these symptoms typically resolve within a few days. With proper compliance, the orthodontic aligners treatment is an effective alternative to traditional braces and can help achieve a straight, confident smile.

  • It depends on your needs! Clear aligners offer a discreet, comfortable, and removable alternative to braces, making them great for mild to moderate corrections. However, traditional braces may be better for complex cases.

  • Most patients experience mild pressure or discomfort when switching to a new set of aligners, but it’s temporary and a sign that your teeth are shifting as planned!

  • You should remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water. This prevents staining, damage, and food particles from getting trapped in the trays.

  • Rinse them with lukewarm water and brush them gently with a soft toothbrush. Avoid using hot water, as it can warp the plastic. Some brands also offer special cleaning crystals or tablets for extra freshness.

  • You might notice a slight lisp when you first start wearing them, but most people adjust within a few days and speak normally.

  • Some dental insurance plans partially cover clear aligner treatment. It’s best to check with your provider to see what’s included in your plan.