Dr. Jeffrey J. Thompson is a board-certified orthodontist in Leawood, Kansas specializing in orthodontics for children and adults. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Dental School and earned a masters degree at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
To attain certification as a Diplomate, a distinction earned by only 20% of orthodontists, he pursued advanced studies upon completion of dental school and his orthodontic residency. His passion for helping patients is inspired by a 60-year family legacy of orthodontic excellence. He began his work as an orthodontist in 1991 when he joined his father, DJ Thompson, D.D.S., at Thompson Orthodontics, a practice established by his uncle in 1947.
Dr. Jeff is an associate professor in the UMKC Orthodontic Department and has served on numerous boards devoted to advances in orthodontic care. He is also a clinical advisor to companies pursuing development of new orthodontic products.
We strive to stand out as a unique and superior choice for orthodontic treatment. There are many providers to choose from, but just one Jeff Thompson Orthodontics offers the freshest and most polished approach to patient care.
Dr. Jeff is a hands-on orthodontist. He regularly monitors your progress and personally places and adjusts every orthodontic appliance. We believe improving your oral health and function is as important as enhancing your appearance. Its all part of our promise to offer premier orthodontic care.
Were all about excellence. We believe that improving your mouth and teeth function is as important as enhancing your appearance. Orthodontic treatment today lays the foundation for excellent oral health in the future. Dr. Jeff pairs the latest orthodontic technology with proven treatment practices to create your new smile and achieve outstanding results.
Our extraordinary staff puts patients at ease. If youre like many people, you may be feeling a bit anxious about getting braces. Our team understands your concerns, and were committed to making you feel comfortable during every visit. Our team is friendly, professional, and fun to be around.
Orthodontists are dental specialists who diagnose and treat problems with the position, alignment or spacing of the teeth, and related irregularities in the face and the jaw. We use a number of special treatments, including braces and other oral appliances, to correct these problems.
There are two good reasons: aesthetics and function. Having an attractive smile not only changes the way people see you it enhances your own self-image as well. Orthodontic treatment also allows your teeth to function better and makes it easier to keep them clean, which can improve your overall health.
You're never too old to begin orthodontic treatment but if you start at an earlier age, your problems may be easier to treat. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child who may need orthodontic treatment should come in for a first visit around age 7.
Teeth that are protruding, crowded together or erupting out of position are clear indications that treatment is needed (View Examples). Less obvious signs are mouth breathing, frequent biting of the cheek or palate, speech difficulties, and thumb sucking that goes past 3-4 years of age. If teeth don't meet properly when the mouth closes, or if jaws make sounds or shift as they move, this may also indicate an orthodontic problem.
Having braces put on is generally painless. Some people experience minor aches and pains in the first couple of days or so, as they adjust to wearing their appliances; periodic adjustments may sometimes cause soreness as well, though it typically lasts only a short time. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to alleviate any discomfort, but are usually unnecessary.
If your teeth are severely crowded (because your mouth is too small to properly accommodate all of them) or if you have impacted teeth (teeth that are trapped beneath the gum line by other teeth) then extraction may be necessary. In the case of younger patients, early treatment may make extraction unnecessary.
Yes you should pass up the types of foods that could damage or become trapped in your braces. Some of these include raw vegetables, hard candy, caramel, taffy and ice cubes (fortunately, ice cream is OK). We will give you a list of foods to avoid.
In a word: Yes. Of course, whether you wear braces or not, we recommend you wear a mouthguard when playing most sports. Musicians are generally able to play their instruments just as they did before, but they may need a short adjustment period after getting braces.
You do in fact, it's more important than ever! Keeping teeth free of plaque (and potentially, decay) can be challenging when you're wearing braces. Your dentist can help you avoid these problems with frequent cleanings and exams.
Almost always, the answer is yes: If you don't wear a retainer, your teeth can rapidly shift out of position and then all the effort put into your treatment is lost! Your retainer helps you maintain that good-looking smile for a lifetime.
Orthodontic care is a long-term investment in your health and well-being. Yet its cost hasn't increased as fast as many other consumer prices, and many financing options are available that make orthodontic care affordable. Weighed against the true cost of living with problem teeth, orthodontic treatment can be a wise investment indeed.
The Magic of Orthodontics Proper alignment of the teeth is basic to Smile Design. Their position dictates how they work together and affects the way you look and smile. Only orthodontic treatment can move teeth into the right position. Simply put, when things look right, they probably are right. Learn the basics of smile analysis and design and whether the magic of orthodontics will work for you... Read Article
Orthodontics for the Older Adult Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, so there's no such thing as too old for braces. In fact, nowadays about one out of every five orthodontic patients is an adult. Yet this figure represents only a small portion of adults who could actually benefit from orthodontic treatment... Read Article