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.
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• 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