Invisalign Kansas City
Herre Holistic Dental KC provides personalized Invisalign treatment from our Leawood office for patients across the Kansas City area. Clear, removable aligners offer a discreet and convenient way to straighten crowded, gapped or misaligned teeth while working toward a healthier, more confident smile.
What is Invisalign and how does it work?
Invisalign is a clear aligner system that gradually moves your teeth without the fixed wires and brackets used with traditional braces. Each set of removable aligners is custom-made to fit comfortably over your teeth and guide them toward their planned positions.
The Invisalign treatment process typically involves:
- Consultation: We discuss your concerns, examine your teeth and determine whether Invisalign is suitable for you.
- Assessment: Impressions and other necessary records are taken to create an accurate picture of your smile.
- Personalized treatment plan: Your dentist plans how your teeth should move and shows you the intended outcome.
- Clear aligners: You wear a series of aligners as directed, moving on to each new set as your treatment progresses. They can be removed for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing.
- Progress checks: Regular appointments allow us to monitor your tooth movement and make sure treatment remains on track.
- Refinements and retainers: Additional aligners may be recommended to refine your results. Once treatment is complete, you will usually need to wear a retainer to help maintain your new smile.
Your exact treatment process and timescale will depend on your teeth, your goals and the complexity of the movements required.
What Can Invisalign Fix?
Invisalign can treat many common alignment and bite concerns, including crooked teeth, crowding, gaps and certain overbite, underbite, crossbite and open-bite cases. It may also help reposition teeth that have shifted after previous orthodontic treatment.
Invisalign may be used to address:
- Crooked or rotated teeth
- Crowded or overlapping teeth
- Gaps and uneven spacing
- Overbite, where the upper front teeth overlap the lower teeth excessively
- Underbite, where the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth
- Crossbite, where some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth
- Open bite, where the upper and lower teeth do not meet when the mouth is closed
- Teeth that have shifted after previous braces or aligner treatment
Whether Invisalign is suitable depends on the severity of the problem and the specific tooth movements required. Mild to moderate alignment concerns can often be treated with clear aligners, while significant bite discrepancies, complex tooth movements or jaw-related concerns may require another approach.
Dr. Herre will evaluate your teeth, gums and bite to determine whether Invisalign can achieve a predictable result for you.
Am I a Good Candidate for Invisalign?
Invisalign can be suitable for many people with crowded, crooked, gapped or misaligned teeth, as well as certain bite problems. However, the right treatment depends on more than the appearance of your smile. We will assess your teeth, gums, bite and treatment goals before determining whether Invisalign is an appropriate option.
Invisalign for Adults
There is no single upper age limit for Invisalign treatment. Adults may be suitable candidates if their teeth and gums are healthy and the required tooth movements can be achieved predictably with clear aligners. Existing dental work will also be considered when planning treatment.
Oral Health Before Invisalign
Your teeth and gums need to be healthy enough to begin orthodontic treatment. Untreated tooth decay, active gum disease or other oral health concerns may need to be treated or stabilized before Invisalign can begin. A dental examination allows us to identify these issues and plan treatment safely.
The Commitment Invisalign Requires
Successful Invisalign treatment depends on wearing your aligners consistently and following the instructions provided by your dentist. You will need to remove them for eating and drinking, clean them regularly, change to each new set as directed and attend progress appointments. Retainers are also normally required after treatment to help maintain the final position of your teeth.
When Invisalign May Not Be the Best Option
Invisalign may not be the most predictable treatment for every patient. Cases involving complex tooth movements, significant bite or jaw discrepancies, impacted teeth or other advanced orthodontic needs may require a different approach.
If Invisalign is not the most suitable option for you, Dr. Herre will explain why and discuss alternative treatments that may better meet your needs.
Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces
Invisalign and traditional braces can both straighten teeth, but they work in different ways. Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners, while traditional braces use fixed brackets and wires. The right option depends on your teeth, bite, treatment goals and ability to follow the recommended treatment plan.
Invisalign aligners are less noticeable and can be removed for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing. This allows you to eat without the restrictions associated with fixed braces and makes it easier to maintain your normal oral hygiene routine.
However, removable aligners require commitment. They must be worn consistently, changed as directed and cleaned regularly. Removing them too often or forgetting to put them back in can delay treatment and affect your results. Traditional braces remain attached to the teeth, so they do not depend on the same level of daily patient compliance.
Invisalign can address many cases involving crowded, crooked or unevenly spaced teeth, as well as certain bite concerns. For more complex tooth movements or significant bite correction, another treatment may provide more predictable control. Dr. Herre will assess your smile and discuss the most appropriate treatment options with you.
What Happens After Invisalign?
After Invisalign treatment, you will need to wear a retainer to help keep your teeth in their new positions. Without retention, teeth can gradually shift out of alignment—even after successful treatment.
At Herre Holistic Dental KC, patients may be instructed to wear their retainer at night for the first couple of months after treatment. As your teeth become more stable, Dr. Herre may gradually reduce how often you need to wear it.
After a longer period of retention, some patients may only need to wear their retainer one or two nights per week. Your exact schedule will depend on how your teeth respond, and Dr. Herre will provide personalized instructions to help you maintain your results.
Invisalign Dos and Don’ts
Following the correct daily routine helps keep your Invisalign treatment on track and protects both your aligners and your oral health.
Invisalign Dos
- Wear your aligners as instructed by Dr. Herre each day.
- Remove them before eating or drinking anything other than plain water.
- Brush and floss before putting them back in whenever possible.
- Clean your aligners regularly using lukewarm water and the recommended cleaning method.
- Store them in their case whenever they are not in your mouth.
- Change to each new set on schedule unless Dr. Herre advises otherwise.
- Attend your progress appointments so we can monitor your tooth movement.
- Contact our office if an aligner is lost, damaged or no longer fits correctly.
Invisalign Don’ts
- Don’t eat while wearing your aligners, as this can damage or stain them.
- Don’t drink coffee, tea, soda or other colored drinks with your aligners in.
- Don’t use hot water to clean them, because heat may distort their shape.
- Don’t leave them loose or wrap them in a napkin, where they can easily be lost or thrown away.
- Don’t skip aligners or move to the next set early without speaking to Dr. Herre.
- Don’t smoke or vape while wearing them, as this may discolor the aligners.
- Don’t ignore a poor-fitting aligner or continue without contacting the practice for advice.
FAQs
Am I too old for Invisalign?
Can I get Invisalign if I have crowns, fillings or other dental work?
Yes, many patients with crowns, fillings or other dental restorations can still have Invisalign. However, existing dental work can affect how treatment is planned, particularly if you have bridges, implants or restorations on teeth that need to move. Dr. Herre will examine your teeth and account for any existing dental work when creating your treatment plan.
What happens if I don’t wear my Invisalign aligners enough?
If you do not wear your aligners as directed, your teeth may not move according to the treatment plan. This can cause the next aligner to fit incorrectly, delay your progress or create the need for additional aligners and adjustments. Consistent wear is one of the most important factors in keeping Invisalign treatment on track.
Can I eat and drink while wearing Invisalign?
You should remove your Invisalign aligners before eating and before drinking anything other than plain water. Food and colored, sugary or acidic drinks can become trapped inside the aligners, increasing the risk of staining, tooth decay and damage to the trays. Clean your teeth before replacing your aligners whenever possible.
Will I need a retainer after Invisalign?
Yes, you will need to wear a retainer after Invisalign to help prevent your teeth from shifting out of their new positions. Patients may initially be instructed to wear their retainer at night for the first couple of months. Dr. Herre may then gradually reduce wear, with some patients eventually wearing their retainer one or two nights per week.
How long does Invisalign treatment usually take?
Invisalign treatment commonly takes around 12 to 18 months, although mild cases may be completed in as little as six months and complex cases can take longer. Your timeline will depend on your crowding or spacing, bite, required tooth movements and how consistently you wear your aligners. During your Invisalign consultation at our Leawood office, Dr. Herre will provide a personalized treatment estimate.
Schedule an Invisalign Consultation in Leawood
If you’re looking for a convenient way to straighten your teeth, we welcome you to contact Herre Holistic Dental KC. One of our team members will schedule you a consultation at a time that’s convenient for you and upon meeting Dr. Herre, you can explore your alignment options. Call us today at 913-491-4466 or request an appointment.
Location
11201 Nall Avenue
Suite 120
Leawood, KS 66211
Hours
Tuesday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Thursday: 7:00am - 3:00pm
