Lovinggood Orthodontics | Orthodontist Olathe, Kansas (KS) & Orthodontist Independence, Missouri (MO) | Orthodontist Dr. Thomas Lovinggood | Clear Aligners Olathe & Independence

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are a revolutionary orthodontic treatment option that allows you to straighten your smile without anyone even knowing!

Clear aligners are designed and manufactured in a series of clear, removable and comfortable aligners that gradually shift your teeth into the desired positions.

The invisible way to straighten your teeth, without braces, clear aligners can give you the beautiful, straight teeth you’ve always wanted.

Not all orthodontists are created equal,
and your smile deserves the best of the best.

Uncovering the differences between orthodontists, dentists, and DIY dental kits

When it comes to your smile, you’ll want to make sure the right person does the job. If not, you could end up spending even more trying to fix mistakes that shouldn’t have happened to begin with. We see a lot of patients that come to us because of two main things:

1. Their regular dentist hasn’t given them results or the treatment options they’re after.
2. That mail-order, do-it-yourself kit isn’t improving their smile.
3. They want efficient, aesthetic treatment despite being told they weren’t a candidate for clear aligners or DIY straightening kits.

So, what’s the deal?

All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. This is because orthodontists train for several extra years specifically in correcting bite and jaw issues. Additionally, only one in three orthodontists is board certified, which means they have gone a step further in a long and intensive educational experience to ultimately provide excellent patient care. Our orthodontist, Dr. Lovinggood is not only board-certified, he is experienced in treating even the most complex cases using clear aligners. And as much as a do-it-yourself kit seems like a good option, it has the potential to adversely affect your smiles or – in many cases – make no difference at all.

What does a dentist do?

You usually see your dentist twice a year to have them clean your teeth, check your gum health, get x-rays of your teeth to identify any cavities, and to provide you with the next steps if there are any issues.

Types of next steps dentists do:

• Filling a cavity
• Fixing chipped or broken teeth
• Root canals
• Gum issues
• Crowns
• Bridges
• Overall care and wellbeing of your mouth

Types of care you get with a dentist:

• High-level of Personal Attention
• Monitoring your treatment and progress

What does an orthodontist do?

Orthodontists have earned a specialty degree in orthodontics— the science of moving the bones in your mouth to correct bite issues. They understand bone structure and use this understanding to correct issues through different treatments. Orthodontic treatments can effectively retrain your bite, making you smile more aesthetically pleasing and healthier, too.

Types of intervention orthodontists do:

• Crossbites
• Overbites
• Crooked Teeth
• Jaw Alignment
• Broken Jaw
• Braces
• Retainers
• Teeth that have yet to come in

Types of care you get with an orthodontist:

• Jaw and Teeth Specialists
• High-level of Personal Attention
• Monitoring your progress during treatment
• Post-treatment Monitoring
• Up-to-date on the latest orthodontic treatments

What is a Do-It-Yourself Kit?

DIY teeth straightening kits are increasingly popular because you don’t need to see a dentist or an orthodontist to use one. You just send in a few photos of your teeth, and trays are delivered to your door along with instructions on how to use them and when to replace them.

So, what’s the drawback? There are too many to count. They include:

1. You’re not monitored by an orthodontist.
2. You won’t have check-ins to make sure your teeth are moving how they should.
3. DIY kits don’t treat alignment issues.
4. There are no post-treatment options, so if you need further correction, you’re out of luck.

Click to enlarge

Moral of the Story:

You shouldn’t trust your smile to anyone but a specialist. By specialist, we mean an orthodontist. When you go with an orthodontist, you can trust that you’ll get better care and better results.

At Lovinggood Orthodontics, you and your smile are our priority. We do our best to make orthodontic treatment work for you. We work with your schedule, your life, and your unique smile to give you the straight, healthy smile you deserve. We offer quick and easy flexible appointments in both of our offices located in Independence, MO as well as Olathe, KS. Our convenient locations make it easy for our patients to come in before work, during their lunch break, or after work.

Our patients can expect the best quality treatment using the latest advances in orthodontic technology, all at the best price. Patients can choose from a variety of treatment options to fit their unique lifestyles including self-ligating braces, clear braces and clear aligners.

Choosing the best orthodontist for your new smile is crucial and trust us – it’s worth it. Learn more or start your new smile journey today by contacting the friendly team at Lovinggood Orthodontics. Click here to schedule your free consultation! We can’t wait to see you!