Why I Chose To Live in Rochester, Minnesota

 

By Grant Collins, DDS, MS (Orthodontist at Collins Orthodontics in Rochester, MN)

I can't feel my hands at all.  Or my feet.  Or anything really.  The 3 millimeters of exposed skin on my face is definitely frost bitten, and my runny nose has instantly turned into an abstract ice sculpture.  As I heave another load of snow from the driveway to the snow bank, I can't help but hear the question that so many of my friends who live in more desirable locations always ask: "Why in the world would you want to live in Rochester, MN?!?"  which has forced me to think.  Is it the 12 foot snow drifts, the 9 months of darkness, and the -70 degree wind chills?  Or is it the swarms of mosquitoes that always find a way to invite themselves to nearly all summer events?  Why do I live in Rochester?  The reason is simple - I love Rochester.  

It's a city full of life, love, spirit and diversity.  We have the perfect city to raise a family and the best medical care in the world is right at our fingertips.  It's a safe place, and rather than complain about the cold, we embrace it.  We play hockey and ice skate.  We snow shoe.  We ski.  We even create martini glasses out of ice and have a big winter festival.  I truly believe that Rochester is the best city in the world, and it's because of the people that make up this city.  So I would pose another question back to my friends - "Why in the world WOULDN'T I want to live in Rochester, MN!?!"

I am originally from Rochester, and grew up here for the majority of my childhood.  I had a chance to attend Sunset Terrace Elementary, John Adams Middle School, Kellogg Middle School, and eventually Century High School.  I understand the school system and what intense pressure the students face in such a highly educated community.  I can relate to families who place a lot of importance on their kids not missing school.  I get it.  I was there too.  I understand this community.  I am so lucky to have grown up in a safe, encouraging, and compassionate community that fosters an environment of learning and development.  I also understand that Rochester is a city of specialists, and the expectation is that medical care is provided by the best of the best.  If you need ACL reconstructive knee surgery, you don't see your general physician.  Heck, you don't even see just any orthopedic surgeon.  You see the ACL knee specialist within the orthopedic surgery department.  That's the type of care in which I have received for my various sports injuries, and it is exactly the type of orthodontic specialty care in which I provide to others.  Our community deserves and expects only the best.

So having had the opportunity to train at Mayo Clinic for my residency in Orthodontics, my decision to live and open Collins Orthodontics in Rochester was a no-brainer.  I understand the people of this community, and I feel as if I can contribute in ways in which this community can relate and appreciate.  Our clinic does just that.  We have set up a clinic schedule that includes appointment options Monday through Friday, with early morning, lunch hour, and evening appointments available so your kids do not have to miss school, or you don't have to miss work.  We are in a location that is safe and visible, easily accessible to both people who live in Rochester and those who live in surrounding communities.  Knowing that Rochester is a city of specialists in which our community demands specialty care, I completed an additional 3 year residency in orthodontics after dental school in order to be able to provide high quality orthodontic care, including all types of braces, clear braces and Invisalign.  I understand what makes Rochester a unique and wonderful place, and I fully intend to contribute to this city in any way I can.

Outside of orthodontics, we are here to make the city a better place.  We are proud sponsors of many community events, such as the Orcas, Triton Triathlon, multiple 5K races, RYSA scholarships for children who cannot afford soccer registration fees, sponsorships of those who cannot afford orthodontic care, and we are just getting started. 

This city has given so much to me.  I've received a fantastic education, a wonderful experience with family and community, and specialty care second to none.  It's my turn to have the opportunity to give back to the same community in which has provided so much to me.  I don't drive here 1-2 days per week just to have a business.  I live here.  I'm ready to make Rochester a better place…I'm ready to help make Rochester the type of city which will cause others to also ask the question, "Why wouldn't you want to live in Rochester, MN?!?!" 

About the Author: Grant C. Collins, DDS, MS, is a Mayo Clinic trained Orthodontist who is the owner and orthodontist at Collins Orthodontics.  He currently resides with his wife and son in Rochester, MN.  He is a proud member of the American Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, Minnesota Dental Association, Zumbro Valley Dental Society, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, National Dental Honor Society, and Omicron Kappa.

Does Your Child REALLY Need Braces at an Early Age? (...The Answer May Surprise You)

By Grant C. Collins, DDS, MS

Many of you have read one of the most popular special reports we offer at Collins Orthodontics called "Does My Child Really Need Braces?" (If you don't have a copy, please call my office today and we will be happy to mail you a free copy of the special report: 507-258-5400).  However, if you are a busy parent just like me, I know you may not have time to sit down a read a full report.  Just last week, I had a mother of one of our "patients" remind me how busy we all are.  She had to go to 8 soccer games in one weekend!  She also thanked me for a startling discovery she made in our office.  More about this in a minute (and you'll see why I put the word "patients" in quotes).

For your convenience, I've broken down the most important points of the report into readable "bite-sized" chunks so that you can learn the truth about braces...

Bite-Sized Chunk #1: Why Are Some Kids Getting Braces Earlier and Earlier?

Although I have lectured to dentists, pediatric dentists, and orthodontic residents about how to manage the most-common orthodontic problems, I still find that there are many orthodontists who do not like my viewpoint on early treatment.  Why?  Simple: I'm promoting the truth in our profession (backed up with the gold-standard of rigorously-tested research and scientific study) and the truth is this:  the majority of patients do not need early treatment before most of the permanent adult teeth have erupted.

Here's Where It Gets Confusing.  I agree with the American Association of Orthodontists.  Your child SHOULD see an orthodontist no later than age 7 (for a screening only) in order to determine if he or she can benefit from early treatment.  The good news?  In my experience, only 5-10% of younger patients actually need early treatment.  For those 5-10%, early treatment can literally prevent surgery and extremely expensive orthodontic treatments later in life.  These 5-10% who need treatment will likely have one of the following:  cross bites, severe crowding, jaw alignment issues, early loss of baby teeth, late loss of baby teeth, impacted or missing teeth, or finger/thumb habits.

So, Which Is It?  Early Treatment Or Not?  The bottom line is this:  get your child screened by an orthodontic specialist no later than age 7.  You don't need a referral to schedule this screening.  And remember, 90-95% of the time, your child will not require treatment and you can take a big sigh of relief.  We will monitor growth until the perfect time for braces and only if they are absolutely necessary.

If your orthodontist tells you that everyone can benefit from early treatment, the simple truth is that we have better research today that has proven this is not the case.  I tell parents in these situations to "hold onto your pocketbooks."  We can get the same result with less time and money invested.

What One Mom Discovered That Changed Her Daughter's Life and Saved Her Thousands!

Remember the mom I told you about in the beginning of this report?  Well, she's one of many parents in our practice with "patients" who aren't really patients.  I call them patients because we see them every 6-12 months or so, checking on their growth and development, monitoring and guiding eruption if needed, but none of them have braces on.

This mom, with the busy soccer family, reminded me last week that she had been signed up and ready to start early treatment on her daughter.  She was about to spend over $3,500 for early treatment with braces and headgear.  She thanked me last week because we were able to avoid all of this treatment and get a beautiful result, without headgear, without early treatment and without wasting any money.  I asked her permission to share this story and she insisted that I tell as many people as I can.

Her story is common.  She took her daughter to one office that recommended early treatment.

Then, she found us.

You Have To Ask Yourself...if you can get the same result with less time and money invested, especially considering how busy you are, why would you choose to keep your child in braces for years and years?  Missing work, missing school, paying more and allowing your child to suffer through multiple rounds of braces when 90-95% of the time we can get the same result in a single round of treatment or no treatment at all.

OK, That's Great "Doc" But What If I Have More Questions?

I'm including a fantastic resource to help you determine if your child could benefit from early treatment.  Remember, if we gathered up 100 kids in 2nd through 4th grade, there's a good chance only 5 or 10 of them would need early treatment.  You can download the easy-to-read brochure below:

http://www.mylifemysmile.org/sites/default/files/Your_Childs_First_Checkup-hl.pdf

Our smile specialists are here to help.  If you have questions or simply want to schedule your child for a complimentary consultation at our office, please call (507) 258-5400 and ask for a FREE new patient exam with digital x-rays.  If you have any special requests, do not hesitate to contact me.

To your children's future smiles,

Grant Collins, DDS, MS

RochesterOrthodontics.com

Invisalign: 5 Things You MUST know before starting Invisalign Clear Braces

By Grant Collins

1. Invisalign aligners look great...nearly invisible!

Honestly, one of the most common reasons why the wonderful people of Rochester, MN and surrounding communities do not want to straighten their teeth is because they do not want to wear traditional metal braces and wires.  The great news is that, because of Invisalign, you no longer have to!  Invisalign treatment consists of a series of clear, removable aligners that are custom-modeled to fit your teeth.  The virtually invisible aligners gradually straighten your teeth over time, and unlike traditional braces, Invisalign has no metal bands or wires! You don’t need to change anything about your current lifestyle! With Invisalign you can continue participating in day-to-day activities without changing a thing. Invisalign is great for professionals, athletes, brides, and parents. Most people will not even be able to tell you are getting your teeth straightened!

2. Invisalign is a tool, not a substitute for orthodontic knowledge

Just like braces, Invisalign is simply a "tool" used by orthodontists to straighten your teeth.  Also just like braces, the skill and orthodontic knowledge of your doctor has a much greater effect on your final outcome than the "tools" in which your doctor uses.  The first step in choosing your Invisalign provider is to find an expert in straightening teeth (i.e. an "orthodontist").  An orthodontist is a specialist that receives an additional two to three years of specialized education beyond dental school in order to learn the most effective, efficient, and proper way to align misaligned teeth.  All orthodontists are dentists, but only 6% of dentists are orthodontists.  Orthodontists will focus all efforts of continuing education only within the specialty of orthodontics, ensuring that you are receiving the best and most specialized care possible.  In order to see if the doctor is a specialist, look for the seal of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).  Only orthodontic specialists can be members of the AAO.

3. Most people are great candidates for Invisalign

From our experience at Collins Orthodontics, the great majority of patients are great Invisalign candidates.  Although there are a few exceptions, we have found that Invisalign is an excellent tool to achieve a healthy and beautiful smile.  

4. Compliance is not optional

One of the greatest features of Invisalign is that you can remove the clear aligners in order to enjoy the foods you love and easily brush and floss your teeth (also reducing your risk of cavities and staining compared to traditional braces).  At the same time, if you do not wear your aligners a minimum of 22 hours per day, then the Invisalign will not work.  Your overall outcome with Invisalign is very much dependent on your commitment to wearing the aligners!

5. Invisalign reduces the risk of cavities compared to braces

Since you can remove the Invisalign aligners, it makes cleaning your teeth simple!  With traditional braces and wires, it is very difficult to keep your teeth clean, where food can easily get caught between the teeth.  When food is allowed to sit in your mouth, your risk of cavities increases significantly.  With Invisalign, that risk is completely eliminated!  It's a great treatment to keep your teeth healthy and clean, even during treatment!

For more information about Braces and Invisalign, please visit us at:

www.rochesterorthodontics.com

www.facebook.com/rochesterorthodontics.com

Are All Orthodontic Clear Braces in Rochester, MN Really Clear? The Answer May Surprise You...

By Grant Collins

It's scientific fact that one full mouth of "old school" style metal orthodontic bands is enough to create all the characters needed for 2 entire Transformers movies (I made that up). But yikes, no wonder people hated braces back then! At Collins Orthodontics in Rochester, MN, we offer the newest and most esthetic treatment options including clear braces, Invisalign, and standard braces (and yes...with colors if you want!).

So what is the secret to our clear braces versus other orthodontic offices in Rochester, MN?  Well...our brackets are completely translucent, so they perfectly match the color of your teeth!  In fact, most types of "clear braces" aren't really clear at all! Instead, they are opaque, and if their color is not perfectly matched to your teeth color....then it will not blend in with your teeth at all!  That's why we use true "clear" brackets that are completely translucent in order to perfectly match the shade and color of your teeth!  Check out our patient, James P. below....he is wearing his Collins Orthodontics clear brackets in this photo!

Schedule a free "clear braces" consultation today!

Fluoride and Brushing Your Children's Teeth in Rochester, MN

By Grant Collins

The American Dental Association has updated their guidelines for brushing children's teeth. Here's what you need to know about the update:

Parents should use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste to brush baby teeth twice daily as soon as the teeth erupt, instead of waiting until children are older. Once children are 3 to 6 years old, then the amount should be increased to a pea-size dollop.

Guidelines for Brushing Your Children's Teeth

Happy Brushing!

-Dr. Collins

Collins Orthodontics Facebook

Collins Orthodontics Website

Invisalign, Braces, and Clear Braces Patient Testimonials about Dr. Collins as Their Orthodontist in Rochester, MN

By Grant Collins

Of all the things that you need to consider before choosing your orthodontist in Rochester Minnesota, the MOST important item is that you (or your child) is comfortable around the orthodontist! Select an orthodontist that not only cares about your smile, but also about your well-being. If it is your child needing treatment, it is important that your orthodontist is a positive influence and excellent role model to your child; someone that makes you and your child feel at ease. 

Treatment can sometimes take up to several years, where you will see your orthodontist every 6 to 8 weeks – so choosing the right orthodontist is a very important decision! Whether you are choosing Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, Clear Braces, or Traditional Braces for you or your child, absolutely make sure that you begin treatment with an orthodontist that you trust!

Also, make sure to do your research on the orthodontist! Most orthodontists have biographies on their websites, which will allow you to assess if the orthodontist looks like the right fit for you. Some important items to find out:

•   Where did the orthodontist do his/her training?
• What do other patients say about the orthodontist? Look for a “testimonial” page on the website. If there are no testimonials, then make sure to find people who have had experiences with the orthodontist. It's great to see videos of testimonials as well!
• What are the orthodontist’s interests and involvement in the community?
• Does the orthodontist provide excellent treatment? Check the website for “Before and After” Galleries to show a sample of the orthodontist’s work.
• 
  
• Interested in scheduling a free consultation at Collins Orthodontics to see if we are the right fit for you? Call us at 507-258-5400 or simply Request a FREE consultation today!

Invisalign Clear Braces at Collins Orthodontics in Rochester, MN

By Grant Collins

Notice anything different about Marika’s smile? She’s actually wearing her Invisalign aligners in this picture (Dr. Collins is so proud!). So what is Invisalign, you ask? It's simple! Invisalign is a modern technique used for straightening teeth, where the process involves using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligners are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic material that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements your orthodontist plans out for you. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is complete. The best part about the whole process is that most people won't even know you're straightening your teeth. Invisalign is a great way to get the smile you've always wanted!

Request a FREE Invisalign Consultation at Collins Orthodontics in Rochester, MN.

Invisalign Teen Patient's Smile Featured at Collins Orthodontics in Roch...

Invisalign Teen Patient's Smile Featured at Collins Orthodontics in Rochester, MN

By Grant Collins

A former Invisalign Teen patient of Dr. Grant Collins was in for quite the surprise at the Collins Orthodontics Open House when she saw a photo of her beautiful smile up in the new Rochester, MN orthodontic clinic! To get a smile as beautiful as Cathern's, make sure to request your FREE initial consultation or call us at 507-258-5400!

Still not sure what exactly Invisalign Teen is? Let us explain! Invisalign Teen is the best way to straighten teeth without having to use metal braces. The clear aligners are removable and virtually invisible, which means you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing. You can still eat and drink what you want. Also, you can brush and floss normally to maintain healthy gums and teeth, and there are no wires, metal or brackets.

Invisalign Teen is custom-designed just right for the dental needs of teenagers. With blue-to-clear color-changing aligners to show how long each aligner has been worn, six free replacement aligners in case some are lost or broken, and other changes designed to accommodate growing mouths, Invisalign Teen is the perfect teeth-straightening system for today’s teens’ busy lifestyles!

Invisalign, Teeth Whitening and Braces for Weddings in Rochester, Minnesota

By Grant Collins

What a great day at The Wedding Extravaganza! Huge shout out to the handful of future grooms that showed up today as well…even on an NFL playoff day! We’ll announce the winners for the contest this week on the Collins Orthodontics Facebook page, so make sure to like the page before we draw names (must like the page to win!). Cheers to all the brides-to-be who showed interest in getting a beautiful bright smile for their big day! — at The Wedding Extravaganza.

MyWeddingSmile.com