The benefit of lingual braces, from Dr. Leonard

Dr. Leonard, your Albert Lea, Mason City, Waseca, and Blue Earth orthodontist, is pleased to offer our patients a new kind of invisible braces to make you smile. With Incognito lingual braces, formerly known as iBraces, we are able to entirely customize your treatment using state-of-the-art technology.

Unlike traditional braces, lingual braces are placed behind your teeth, rather than in a visible area. Hence, you can improve your smile efficiently and effectively in a discreet new way. This treatment option is perfect for adult professionals, musicians, athletes, and anyone who doesn't want their braces to be visible.

To learn more about Incognito at Alpha Orthodontics, please give us a call today! Dr. Leonard can determine if lingual braces are the right treatment option for you.

A Season to Give Thanks

Dr. Leonard and team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy a day filled of friends, family, and great Thanksgiving food! What are you most thankful for this year? Leave us a comment, or if you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we encourage you to share them on our Facebook page!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Regular checkups are essential in maintaining good oral health

Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment? If yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting our office, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in the Albert Lea, Mason City, Waseca, and Blue Earth areas!

"Hey, Dr. Leonard! Who can benefit from braces?"

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Dr. Leonard will tell you that anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment, whether it’s correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a consultation and find out how orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!

Invisalign® and your oral health, from Dr. Leonard

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Alpha Orthodontics than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Dr. Leonard, your Albert Lea, Mason City, Waseca and Blue Earth orthodontist. You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.