If you have poor alignment, then this could be a source of embarrassment and also poor oral health. But our team can provide treatment, and this treatment doesn’t require metal braces! In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS, dentist talks about obtaining an even smile with orthodontic clear aligners in 2026.
The Causes of Dental Misalignment
How does a smile become uneven? You could develop crooked, crowded, and overlapping teeth when you suffer from tooth loss, or sustain an injury to the face or jaw. If you have complications with the growth of your smile or the eruption of your teeth, including baby teeth not falling out on time or being lost prematurely, this could alter alignment. Wisdom tooth eruption could be a cause too! The factors vary, but the impact includes a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease, as well as an increased risk of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). You may also feel uncomfortable in social situations, which impacts your overall quality of life! But we can help by correcting your smile, and doing so with a cosmetic alternative to braces, one that teens and adults alike embrace.
Creating Your New Aligner Series
The process doesn’t need metal brackets or wires. Instead, we will take detailed images of your smile with an intraoral camera, and also gather digital x-rays to assess your jawbone and the portions of your tooth roots. With this option, a series of custom aligners will be made from a clear and BPA-free plastic material. When they arrive, you can start the treatment process, gradually shifting your teeth. Optimal results could be possible in as little as one year for many patients!
The Treatment Process
How do clear aligners fix your uneven smile? Well, you will wear a set from the aligner series for about 20 to 23 hours a day, each one being worn for two weeks total. You then begin wearing the next set in the series and continue the process as your smile is corrected. This is helpful for teens and adults, and takes less time to see results than braces would. They are also removable, so you can take them out before you eat or before you brush and floss your teeth each day.
If you have any questions about how we shift your uneven smile with clear and cosmetic plastic aligners, or if you would like to start the process now so you can obtain even smiles in 2026, then reach out to our office! You can also see us now to put your remaining 2025 dental insurance benefits and health savings account funds to good use before they expire!
Do You Have Questions About Orthodontic Clear Aligners?
We want to help you enjoy an even smile in the year to come. To learn more about our alternative to braces, call Dr. Browne in Prairie Village, KS today at (913) 901-8585.