Dr. Laura's Orthodontics is a Leawood based orthodontist practice that treats patients of all ages. We are committed to delivering the highest quality orthodontic care and do so using state-of-the-art orthodontic equipment.

Doctor of Dental Medicine, Master of Science ABO Board Certified Orthodontics Board Certified in Craniofacial/Orofacial Pain Board Certified in Dental Sleep Apnea Treatment Courtesy Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, University of Florida

Dr. Bowden was born in Romania and came to the United States at the age of 10. She grew up in Boca Raton, Florida and received her Bachelors degree in Biology from Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Bowden graduated with honors from the University of Florida, College of Dentistry. She received her Masters degree and Certificate in Orthodontics from the University of Florida and is a Board Certified Orthodontist. Dr. Bowden is also Board Certified in Craniofacial/Orofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Medicine and is certified in administrating Botox and Dermal Fillers. Dr. Bowden has served on the Board of Directors for the American Board of Craniofacial Pain from July 2014 to present and is currently the President of the American Board of Craniofacial Pain. Dr. Bowden has published articles in peer reviewed medical journals, has participated in National Institutes of Health (NIH) research as a clinical investigator and has been a clinical instructor for the University of Florida, Department of Continuing Education. She has received several grants for her research involving cocoa and its effects on pain sensitivity. Dr. Bowden and her husband Dr. Samuel Bowden have two private practices in the state of Kansas and three beautiful children Sara, Abigail and Sam.

At Dr. Laura's Orthodontics, we provide orthodontics services for children and adults looking to straighten their teeth and align their jaw. Orthodontics is the study and treatment of dental displacement and malocclusions. As an orthodontist, we can treat any issues pertaining to the jaw. We can also move and adjust teeth, even if they are fully formed and hardened. This makes it possible to straighten teeth in adults, rather than only children.

Due to the various specialties in orthodontia, some orthodontists may only treat children instead of adults. Additionally, dentofacial orthopedics is an area of orthodontic care that involves more surgical elements in order to correct issues with the jaw or face. Overall, an orthodontist in Kansas treats the position of teeth and the jaw; while also changing the overall shape and appearance of a patient's face. At Dr. Laura's Orthodontics, we find that many of our patients are pleasantly surprised by how dramatically different they look once their orthodontic treatment is complete.

Why Orthodontics is NecessaryAs a Leawood orthodontist, we find that many children suffer from overcrowding teeth issues, creating the need for our procedures. Overcrowding can cause teeth to grow in at incorrect or crooked positions, leading to difficulties as an adult.

Whether from an accident or a lack of oral hygiene, when a baby tooth falls out prematurely, the teeth around it move into the open space. This can cause the shape of the palate to change, taking up the room the adult tooth needs to grow in properly. In the past, many people had their teeth pulled in order to make space for all of their permanent teeth. Now, we can create space in your teeth using a variety of treatment methods.

At Dr. Laura's Orthodontics, we also treat patients using orthodontics if their jaw is out of place. This can make it painful to speak, chew and even open ones mouth. When the bite is off, many people find simple daily activities uncomfortable and seek treatment as a result. In other cases, we provide solutions for teeth that have grown in crooked, even if there was enough space for them. Fortunately, orthodontic treatment can resolve all of these issues.

The ProcedureIf you are considering straightening your teeth, there are several ways to do so. Regardless of the option you choose, the concept is virtually the same. The appliance must consistently apply pressure to move the teeth into position. We cannot force teeth into place immediately. There must be slow and consistent pressure in order to ensure that the teeth move without being damaged. Therefore, we do not apply pressure to all of the teeth at the same time. Instead, we apply pressure to specific teeth. An adjustment is made to apply additional force to a different tooth or teeth while holding the other ones in place.

When treating patients throughout Leawood we are cognizant of the importance of continued oral health care. We recommend that patients do a thorough job of regularly brushing and flossing their teeth. This will decrease the risk of cavities and gum disease while receiving orthodontic care.

Once the procedure is over, most patients are required to wear a retainer. Children that straighten their teeth may only need to wear a retainer for a couple of years, whereas adults often find themselves wearing a retainer for life. Ongoing retention ensures that teeth do not move back into their previous position a risk with any orthodontics treatment.

Treatment OptionsAt Dr. Laura's Orthodontics, we are proud to provide patients throughout Kansas with the ability to straighten their teeth and love their smile. There are multiple ways to move teeth into position, many of which, we offer at our office. Orthodontic solutions include:

Spacers and ExpandersSpacers and expanders are used prior to, or in conjunction with, wearing braces. When a patient suffers from overcrowding issues, these solutions can make space for the other teeth. It is critical for there to be room for teeth to move to, or the perfect smile will never be achieved. At times, children will wear an expander years before actually getting braces. This can help teeth to grow into the proper position; or at least, close to it.

Clear AlignersWe work with patients throughout the local area that are interested in straightening their teeth but (913) 258-8028 do not like the look or feel of traditional braces. In this case, clear aligners can accomplish the same or similar goals without making it obvious. Invisalign use aligners to straighten teeth. With this consistent pressure applied, teeth will gradually move into position as they do when wearing braces. The aligners themselves look like full, clear retainers and are meant to be worn for around 22 hours per day. This is why many patients in Leawood prefer aligners they can be taken out at any time.

Crowded teeth are no fun, and if you have a child who is likely to develop this problem, it can be avoided by a palatal expander. This method is proven to widen the roof of your child's mouth so that teeth have room to grow. When teeth are crowded, they tend to grow in the

Cosmetic orthodontics works to improve the function and appearance of misaligned teeth. This type of oral treatment helps to even out bite pressure across all teeth, which safeguards the long-term health of gums, teeth, and jaws.Braces and aligners are used in cosmetic orthodontics to correct a crooked smile or misaligned bite. There are various types

You may have delayed replacing a lost tooth for a long time due to certain reasons. However, the orthodontic work of getting a dental implant to fill the gap in your dentition may be easier than you think.If the tooth has been missing for a while, there could be issues with the gap. Usually, the

The dental field is slowly evolving to accept BOTOX (Botulinum toxin) as a mainstream treatment option. While BOTOX certainly can be used effectively for cosmetic wrinkle reduction, its most exciting uses in dentistry arent cosmetic at all.

Our office in Leawood and Louisburg, Kansas offers the use of botulinum neurotoxin (BOTOX / Xeomin) and dermal fillers for dental esthetic and therapeutic uses in the oral and maxillofacial areas. These uses include treating dental and facial esthetics for volumizing nasolabial folds, marionette lines, lifting up the corners of the mouth using anatomical landmarks to decrease recurrence of angular cheilitis (red, swollen and cracked corners of the mouth), improve a severe gummy smile and for the treatment of TMJ syndrome, headaches, migraines, and bruxism. BOTOX use as a wholly cosmetic procedure will likely not exist at dentists offices because the first priority of a dentist is oral healthcare. Due to our extensive training in facial and oral anatomy, health, and function, dentists may be the best qualified to administer BOTOX.

BOTOX is used to block nerve signals that control muscle movement. This decreases the ability of the muscle to contract and softens the skin surrounding the injection site. Results are typically seen after a few hours to a few days and a BOTOX treatment can last up to three months!

BOTOX is used as an alternative treatment for TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint) disorders or TMD and associated jaw tension and pain. BOTOX provides long-term relief of TMD by reducing the intensity, frequency, and duration of recurrent migraines. Adverse effects from BOTOX treatment are uncommon, mild and transient making it an attractive option for adjunctive therapy for muscular TMD in patients who have failed initial conservative therapy and systemic pharmacotherapy.

Patients with various types of TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint) disorders can often benefit from BOTOX treatments. Much of the pain associated with of TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint) disorders is due to muscular pain from hyperactivity of the muscles of mastication. These TMJ disorders can cause significant discomfort for patients and treatment options have been limited in the past. By using BOTOX to relax these muscles, dentists can provide pain relief that has eluded some patients with these conditions. Here at Dr. Lauras Orthodontics we understand that anyone that has ever suffered from a migraine knows how excruciating and debilitating they can be. The smallest amount of sound or the faintest amount of light can send you crawling into a dark closet for escape. Many people are not aware that therapeutic BOTOX treatment can offer significant relief to patients who suffer from frequent migraines.

Bruxism (grinding of teeth) and clenching can also be minimized with BOTOX treatment by reducing the force of the muscular contractions involved. It can make a useful adjunct therapy to night guard appliances.

BOTOX treatment at Dr. Lauras Orthodontics is also helpful in reducing a high lip line or gummy smile without gingival surgery and crown lengthening. By relaxing the lip muscles, a lower more aesthetic smile line can be achieved in a less invasive manner. While the BOTOX treatments are temporary, it at least gives patients a more immediate and less aggressive treatment option other than surgery.

Edentulous patients (patients without any teeth) can also benefit from BOTOX treatment in cases where the lip muscles have become repositioned due to decreased vertical dimension, and it is difficult to accommodate new dentures. Botox can be used to relax and retrain the muscles around a new denture making the transition easier and more successful. BOTOX treatment is also used around marionette lines (lines at the corners of the mouth) to decrease angular cheilitis episodes (red swollen and cracked corners of the mouth).

Approximately 3-4 weeks after the initial treatment, patients will return for reevaluation and documentation any adverse effects and/or suboptimal responses. Some patients may require a booster treatment at that time. Additional BOTOX treatments are determined by patients history and clinical examination, and pain diaries are also a useful guide to help in patient directed therapy. It may take several weeks before patients experience the maximum pain relief from BOTOX treatments. Although the typical duration of efficacy is 12 weeks, we have noted tremendous variability among patients with respect to optimal dosing frequency.

Our Doctor here at Dr. Lauras Orthodontics is educated in the specialty of administering BOTOX treatments due to having additional experience with the anatomy and function of facial muscles, this is a valuable asset in the administration of BOTOX.

Here at Dr. Lauras Orthodontics Leawood and Louisburg, Kansas, we help our patients enjoy the beautiful, healthy, and fully functional smiles that they deserve. With BOTOX, we can achieve a number of things for your smile, from improving the esthetics of the facial structures surrounding your smile to alleviating the chronic pain and discomfort associated with of TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint) disorders.

Below are a few common questions that people may have about Botox. If you have another question that is not on this page, give us a call at (913) 258-8028. We will be happy to go over any and all questions that you have before helping you draw out your best self.

Botox treatment involves an injection of botulinum toxin that helps to prevent muscle contraction by attaching to the nerve endings of muscles. Before completing the procedure, we will need to have our team examine your health and determine if Botox is the best choice of procedure.

Contrary to popular belief, a Botox procedure is not painful and you will be able to remain calm during the procedure. While the idea of needles near one's face is not the best mental image, we can ensure that it is not as bad as some might believe. We will use a thin needle and inject small amounts of botulinum toxin into the system.

You will be able to return to your daily activities directly following the procedure. It is important to avoid rubbing or massaging the areas we treat with Botox since it will cause the toxin to move toward another area of the body. You can also call us if there are any other odd health issues you begin to notice following the procedure.

Most people imagine braces as a treatment only for adolescents, but adult orthodontics are becoming increasingly common. If you are wondering whether braces as an adult are right for you, consider the benefits and then ask your orthodontist if you may be a good candidate.There are several benefits available for a person who decide to

Wondering if ceramic braces are the right teeth straightening option for you? There are a few different types of braces available nowadays. While traditional metal braces are a common choice amongst teenagers, the majority of adults are looking for a more discreet option. Especially adults who find themselves in a position in which they need

Early interceptive therapy, also known as phase 1 orthodontics, is performed by a kids orthodontics and deals with the application of growth appliances, expanders, or partial braces, pending the complete eruption of the patients adult teeth. Phase one treatment is usually recommended for children when they are between 7 and 11 years old. The treatment