What do braces look like?

Braces, a type of orthodontic appliance, are made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. Some are removable, while others are temporarily bonded to your teeth. You can choose clear or metal brackets and, in some cases, even the color of your appliance.

At first, your teeth may feel a bit sore, and your lips, cheeks, and tongue may be irritated for a couple of weeks. Gargling with saltwater, using wax on irritating parts, and over-the-counter pain relievers can help during this time.

What foods should I avoid with braces?

Avoid chewy foods like bagels, licorice, and beef jerky; crunchy foods like popcorn, chips, and ice; sticky foods like caramels, gum, and taffy; hard foods like nuts and hard candies; and foods that require biting into like corn on the cob, apples, and carrots.

What foods can I eat with braces?

Enjoy: soft dairy items like cheese and pudding; soft breads, pancakes, and muffins without nuts; grains like pasta and soft-cooked rice; soft meats such as chicken and meatballs; seafood like tuna or salmon; vegetables like mashed potatoes or steamed spinach; fruits such as applesauce or bananas; and soft treats like ice cream without nuts or milkshakes.

Is it normal for my braces to feel loose?

No. If any wire or band comes loose, please contact us so we can make necessary repairs. Save any pieces that fall off and bring them in. You can temporarily reposition a loose wire with the back of a spoon or pencil and buffer irritation with wax or a wet cotton ball.

Braces place a constant, gentle force in a controlled direction, gradually moving teeth into their desired position.

How long do you wear braces?

Treatment time varies by age, method, case complexity, and patient compliance. Most people wear braces for one to three years, and your personalized treatment plan will include an estimated duration.

Is it normal for my teeth to feel loose?

Yes. Teeth need to loosen slightly before they can move into the correct position. Once aligned, they naturally settle into place and feel stable again.

Can I still play sports with braces?

Absolutely. We recommend wearing a mouthguard to protect your teeth and braces. If your appliance is damaged or your teeth feel loose after an injury, call us right away for an evaluation.

Invisalign® Clear Aligners: A Confident Smile, Without the “Metal Mouth”

Clear Aligner Treatment in Ames & Boone, Iowa

Wish you could straighten your smile without everyone knowing you’re in treatment? You’re not alone. Every year, more of our patients, busy professionals, college students, parents, and image-conscious teens alike, choose Invisalign® over traditional braces because it fits around their life instead of the other way around.

At Stark Smiles Orthodontics, Dr. Tom and Dr. Michael Stark have guided thousands of patients across Ames, Boone, and Central Iowa toward straighter, healthier smiles using Invisalign’s clear, comfortable, and virtually invisible aligners. As board-certified orthodontic specialists, not general dentists offering aligners as a side service, we design every Invisalign plan ourselves, monitor it in person, and adjust it as your treatment progresses.

Schedule a Consultation

Invisalign® Clear Aligners: A Confident Smile, Without the “Metal Mouth”

Clear Aligner Treatment in Ames & Boone, Iowa

Wish you could straighten your smile without everyone knowing you’re in treatment? You’re not alone. Every year, more of our patients, busy professionals, college students, parents, and image-conscious teens alike, choose Invisalign® over traditional braces because it fits around their life instead of the other way around.

At Stark Smiles Orthodontics, Dr. Tom and Dr. Michael Stark have guided thousands of patients across Ames, Boone, and Central Iowa toward straighter, healthier smiles using Invisalign’s clear, comfortable, and virtually invisible aligners. As board-certified orthodontic specialists, not general dentists offering aligners as a side service, we design every Invisalign plan ourselves, monitor it in person, and adjust it as your treatment progresses.

Schedule a Consultation

Invisalign® for Every Stage of Life

Invisalign® works for busy professionals, college students, parents, and teens alike. Whatever stage of life you’re in, Dr. Tom and Dr. Michael Stark will build a clear aligner plan that fits around it.

Invisalign® for Teens

Invisalign® for Teens is built for real teenage life. Built-in blue compliance indicators fade with proper wear, so both your teen and Dr. Tom or Dr. Michael can tell at a glance if aligners are being worn enough. Because they’re removable, your teen can still play sports, an instrument, or simply feel confident in photos without a mouth full of metal.

Invisalign® for Adults

According to national research, one-third of adults are unhappy with their teeth, and roughly a quarter avoid smiling because of it. Invisalign has changed that for many of our adult patients in Ames and Boone; it’s discreet enough for the office, comfortable enough for daily life, and often faster than people expect.

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What Is Invisalign® and How Does It Work?

Invisalign® is a series of custom-made, clear plastic aligner trays that gradually and gently shift your teeth into their ideal position, without metal brackets or wires. Each set of aligners is digitally designed around your unique bite using an iTero® digital scanner, which replaces the old-fashioned goopy impression trays with a comfortable 3D scan of your teeth in minutes.

Here’s what treatment looks like, step by step:

You wear each set of aligners for about 20–22 hours a day, removing them only to eat, drink, and brush.
Every 1–2 weeks, you switch to the next set in your series, each one moving your teeth a little closer to their final position.
You’ll visit our Ames or Boone office roughly every 6–10 weeks so Dr. Tom or Dr. Michael can check your progress and fine-tune your plan.
Because the aligners are clear and low-profile, most coworkers, classmates, and even close friends won’t notice you’re in treatment at all.

Invisalign has been clinically studied and used by orthodontists for over two decades, and it’s backed by more clinical research than any other clear aligner brand on the market, which is one of the reasons we trust it for our own patients’ care.

What Can Invisalign® Treat?

Invisalign is remarkably versatile. In the hands of a board-certified orthodontist, it can correct many of the same issues traditional braces treat, including:

Crowded or overlapping teeth
Gaps and spacing between teeth
Overbite (upper teeth extend too far over lower teeth)
Underbite (lower jaw extends past the upper jaw)
Crossbite and mild-to-moderate jaw misalignment
Open bite (front teeth don’t touch when your mouth is closed)

Every one of these issues appears among our real patient cases; you can see actual before-and-after results on our Common Orthodontic Issues page. During your first consultation, Dr. Tom or Dr. Michael will take a full digital scan and let you know honestly whether Invisalign is the best fit, or whether another treatment option would serve you better.

Why Ames & Boone Families Choose Stark Smiles for Invisalign®

Board-certified specialists: Dr. Tom and Dr. Michael Stark are both board-certified orthodontists, not general dentists, with advanced training specifically in tooth movement and jaw development.
Decades of results: Dr. Tom has helped more than 10,000 patients love their smile over nearly four decades of practice in Central Iowa.
Digital, comfortable scanning: Our iTero® digital scanner replaces messy impressions with a fast, accurate 3D model of your smile.
A plan built around you: Every Invisalign case is planned and monitored personally by Dr. Tom or Dr. Michael, never handed off to a kiosk or a call center.
Two convenient Iowa locations: We see patients in both Ames and Boone, so quality orthodontic care stays close to home.
Family-first care: From consultations to flexible payment options, we work to make treatment feel approachable, not intimidating.

Your Invisalign® Journey in Three Steps

1. Free Consultation & Digital Scan

Dr. Tom or Dr. Michael takes a comfortable iTero® digital scan of your smile, answers every question, and tells you honestly whether Invisalign® is the right fit. No cost, no pressure.

2. Your Custom Aligner Plan

Your aligners are digitally designed around your unique bite, with a clear, itemized quote and a realistic timeline before you commit to anything.

3. Wear, Switch, and Smile

Wear each set about 20–22 hours a day, switch trays every 1–2 weeks, and check in with us every 6–10 weeks. Most people around you won’t even notice you’re in treatment.

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How Much Does Invisalign® Cost in Ames & Boone, Iowa?

Invisalign cost depends on several factors unique to you: the complexity of your case, the length of treatment, and whether you’re treating one arch or both. What we can promise is transparency. We’ll give you a clear, itemized quote, with no surprise fees.

Two Convenient Iowa Locations

We see Invisalign® patients at both of our Central Iowa offices, so quality clear aligner care stays close to home.

📍 Ames Office
1212 Duff Ave, Ames, IA 50010
📞 (515) 232-2255 | Toll-Free: (888) 402-2255

📍 Boone Office
703 8th St, Boone, IA
📞 (515) 432-4522

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Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign®

How long does Invisalign treatment take?

Most patients complete treatment in about 12 to 18 months, though simple cases can finish faster and more complex cases may take longer. You’ll get a personalized timeline estimate at your free consultation.

Does Invisalign hurt?

You may feel mild pressure for a day or two after switching to a new aligner tray, that’s a sign your teeth are moving. Most patients describe it as far more comfortable than traditional braces, with no wire pokes or bracket irritation.

Can teenagers get Invisalign?

Yes. Invisalign® for Teens includes built-in wear indicators and replacement aligners for growing smiles, making it a popular, discreet option for teenage patients at Stark Smiles.

How often will I need to come into the office?

Most patients visit every 6 to 10 weeks so Dr. Tom or Dr. Michael can confirm your treatment is on track and make any needed adjustments.

Can I eat and drink normally with Invisalign?

Yes, because the aligners are removable, you can eat and drink whatever you like. Just remove your trays first, then brush before putting them back in.

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Exceptional care from beginning to end. The staff is all so friendly and truly seems to care, especially Dr. Tom. My daughter has felt at ease since our first visit!

Stephanie S. (Ames, IA)

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All 3 of my boys have been patients here, and we couldn’t be happier with the service or the results of their orthodontic treatment!

Sara I. (Ames, IA)

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Dr. Stark takes a personal interest in each patient. I have no idea how he keeps them all straight, but he always inquires about their hobbies, families, etc.

Rita H. (Ames, IA)

testimonials

What Our Patients Say

These are real, currently published reviews from Stark Smiles families:

Ready to Start Your Invisalign® Journey?

Contact us and schedule your consultation today at our Ames or Boone office and find out how Dr. Tom and Dr. Michael Stark can help you get the confident, straight smile you’ve been waiting for.

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Ready to start your Stark Smiles journey?

Schedule a Consultation

Ames Office

1212 Duff Ave
Ames, IA 50010

(515) 232-2255
(888) 402-2255

Get Directions

Boone Office

703 8th St
Boone, IA

(515) 432-4522

Get Directions