The branch of dentistry that deals with the straightening and correction of problems dealing with alignment of teeth is called orthodontics. “Ortho” comes from the Greek word meaning “straight or correct”, and “dont” means teeth.

Dr. Marx and Dr. Arjes are general dentist in Gladstone and Kansas City who have taken a considerable number of courses in the area of orthodontics so that they can offer this wonderful service to their patients; children and adults.

Crooked teeth, overlapping teeth, gaps, overbites, teeth coming in at the wrong position are only some of the reasons people consider braces for themselves or their children.

Here are some reasons to consider orthodontics you may not have been aware of:

Crowded or crooked teeth can be a major factor in poor dental health. The crowded teeth or spaces between teeth can allow bacteria to hide and damage the gums in the area.
A “bad bite” can affect the surfaces of our teeth causing wear patterns that can damage the tooth itself and make teeth sensitive, not to mention looking bad or feeling painful.
Bite problems can lead to damage inside the jaw joints (TMJ) which can be the source of jaw pain, headaches, cramping of face and neck muscles.

Misaligned teeth, crooked teeth can affect how our face looks.

“My teeth were all over the place and my dental health wasn’t much better but I was determined to avoid going to the dentist. I thought I would smile through pursed lips my whole life, but Dr. Marx didn’t see it that way.

I feel my new confidence has propelled me in my career. I can look coworkers and clients in the eye and give them a big smile! Choosing Dr. Marx was one of the best decisions I ever made in picking a doctor.”
Quinn
Modern orthodontics uses a number of techniques to make tooth movement faster, comfortable and effective. This includes braces and Clear Aligners. Braces today usually consist of small attachments which are bonded to the teeth. These attachments are called “brackets” and they can be silver, porcelain (white) or gold colored. These brackets guide a small flexible wire from tooth to tooth. This wire, called the archwire, gently and slowly guides the teeth into better aligned positions.

Invisalign®

Invisalign® is the latest technology for helping to straighten teeth without the use of brackets and wires. Invisalign orthodontic treatment uses a series of computer designed clear forms called “aligners” that gradually move and straighten teeth in small steps. The aligners are virtually invisible and very comfortable. Each set of aligners (upper and lower pair) are worn for about two weeks and then the patient switches to the next set in the sequence.

Patients report that the aligners are easy to wear and there are other advantages including the fact you can remove them when eating and brushing your teeth.

Invisalign is not for every situation. Extremely crowded teeth may require other methods. For the person who would love to have straighter, better looking teeth but would not consider braces, Invisalign could be the answer for you.

We are certified and experienced in delivering this type of orthodontic treatment. We would be happy to have you come in and let us evaluate if you are a candidate for this amazing new tooth straightening technology.

There is nothing more rewarding and satisfying than watching someone with crooked or poorly aligned teeth end up with a terrific smile and healthy mouth, all based on the science of gently moving teeth.

Here are some important facts about orthodontics:

Adult teeth are able to be straightened just as effectively as a younger person’s teeth; the only difference is that adults are no longer growing and so the planning is a bit different.
If a bite problem is spotted early and the cause is sorted out, we can usually get a young person’s teeth in place and achieve a wonderful smile without removing teeth.
Modern braces use very light, gentle force and except for slight tenderness the day the archwires are changed (once a month), there is very little discomfort.
Please contact the office, we will gladly schedule a time to take a look at your teeth and bite and see if modern braces could help you achieve the smile you have been hoping for.

Protection Below The Surface

If you have dealt with a missing tooth for years, you may be wondering why it is so important to fill that space now. When considering a tooth replacement solution, keep in mind that dental implants are the only comprehensive solution since they address both the visible missing tooth and the missing tooth root under the gum. The presence of a replacement tooth root not only anchors the new tooth in place, it also protects against bone loss since it is seated into the jaw bone. And the sooner you replace a missing tooth, the less likely your natural teeth are to shift out of place and create an unhealthy bite.

Dental implants are a long-term investment. Unlike other cosmetic smile treatments that may need to be redone after several years, dental implants can last a lifetime if they are well cared for.

An A+ Dental Implant Team

The cosmetic dentists at Marx Dental have many years of training and real-world experience with dental implants. Dr. Robert Marx, Dr. Arjes, and Dr. Emily Marx will take the time to discuss their credentials, explain the implant process, and show you before and after photos of patients who have improved their smiles with amazing implant technology. We will also answer all your questions about implants and discuss the various types to help you choose the one that fits your needs. It is important that we present all possible treatments, so we will also discuss tooth replacement alternatives such as partial dentures, full dentures, and dental bridges. State-of-the-art 3-D CAT scan imaging lets you see what your implant will look like before the procedure.

Learn more about the types of dental implants we offer:

  • All-on-Four Dental Implants
  • Mini Dental Implants
  • Teeth in a Day

Patients from all over the country have visited Marx Dental for top-notch dental implant results and service. Practice leader Dr. Robert Marx puts his over 30 years of experience to work to ensure that each patient is completely happy with his or her tooth replacement procedure.

Learn more about how dental implants can improve your smile as well as your dental health. The dental implant team at Marx Dental knows how to guide you through the dental implant procedure with ease. Please feel free to contact us today for more details and to schedule your free dental implant consultation.