Blog

If you’re ready to begin treatment at Henseler & Kocian Orthodontics, you may have heard a discussion of Temporary Anchorage Devices (TAD). Dr. Paul Kocian and Dr. Steven Henseler believe it’s important to be informed about your treatment, so we have put together this comprehensive list of the benefits of moving forward with a temporary anchorage device.

Getting adjusted to braces can be hard, especially if you’ve never had them before. Living with brackets and wires can feel weird, but after a while, you will get used to it. But some things can make the process easier. At Henseler & Kocian Orthodontics, our expert doctors and staff want every patient to feel comfortable as possible at the beginning of treatment. We have 5 tips to make it through your first week. Learn what to do and what to get to prepare before your big day!

Invisalign, and similar treatments like 3m Clarity Aligners, are some of the most convenient and discreet ways to straighten your smile. Dr. Paul Kocian, Dr. Henseler, and our staff at Henseler Orthodontics have guided countless patients through Invisalign treatment in Stillwater, MN, and we’re ready to help you achieve the results you’re dreaming of. Here’s our useful guide to help you adjust to life with Invisalign and what to expect from the process.

At this point, most people know about the benefits of braces and straightening out your smile, but there are still some conflicting opinions floating around about when is the best time to get braces and if it is ever too late for orthodontic treatment. Here at Henseler & Kocian Orthodontics, we pride ourselves on our expertise and the personalized orthodontic care that we offer to the people of Woodbury and Stillwater, MN. Dr. Henseler & Dr. Kocian has heard all sorts of misconceptions from patients about when they were told it is the best time to get braces, so it's time to settle the debate once and for all and get the truth out there for everyone to hear. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about when you should get braces and if it is ever too late for orthodontic care!

At Henseler & Kocian Orthodontics, in Woodbury and Stillwater, we practice early orthodontic treatment to catch orthodontic issues before they arise in a child’s mouth. This involves seeing a patient by the age of 7 to evaluate their teeth, mouth, bite, alignment, and jaw. During these early orthodontic appointments, Dr. Steve Henseler and Dr. Paul Kocian may decide that early intervention is necessary to alleviate future orthodontic problems. This is particularly true for patients who may develop a crossbite or have a minor crossbite already. In these cases, we use a palatal expander to help correct a crossbite.

Your retainer is what keeps you from losing all the hard work you put in straightening your teeth with Invisalign or braces—but in order for your retainer to be truly effective, you need to take care of it and keep it clean. Here at Henseler & Kocian Orthodontics, your local Woodbury and Stillwater braces providers, we want all of our patients to get the most out of their orthodontic treatment, so we have put together this quick guide on the best ways to clean your retainer!

Crooked teeth can be the result of many different things. Maybe your mouth is too small for your teeth, which crowds the teeth, causing them to shift. Perhaps your upper or lower jaws aren’t the same size, which can cause an overbite, where the front teeth protrude out further than the lower teeth, or an underbite, where the lower teeth protrude out further than the upper teeth.

Today, there are many different options for discrete orthodontic treatment. The two most popular options are Invisalign and 3M Clarity Aligners. Both use clear plastic aligners to slowly shift your teeth into the desired, straight position for a beautiful, functional smile. Our offices in Stillwater and Woodbury offer both options for patients seeking a less noticeable orthodontic treatment.

The office of Henseler & Kocian Orthodontics is committed to offering our patients high quality orthodontic care. As your expert Stillwater orthodontics provider, our doctors and staff work with you to create a custom orthodontic treatment plan, using groundbreaking technology and leading orthodontic techniques. We feature a comprehensive set of adult treatment options to fit your every need.

Due to COVID-19, Henseler & Kocian has been forced to temporarily close. It is important now, more than ever, to practice good oral hygiene. Although we may not be sure exactly when our practice will be able to open its doors again, your smile is still our priority.

As your trusted choice for an orthodontist in Stillwater and Woodbury, we at Henseler & Kocian Orthodontics are here to make sure that you have the best experience possible. This doesn’t just mean that we offer experienced orthodontics – we’ll also always take the time to deliver the most compassionate care in order to ensure that your treatment is as smooth and convenient as possible. To help prepare you for your treatment, we recommend having these ten important questions ready to ask your orthodontist during your first visit.

At Henseler & Kocian Orthodontics in Stillwater & Woodbury, MN, we are proud to offer a range of orthodontic treatments and services for children, adolescents, and adults. It is our goal to give every patient a smile that they love and deserve. And in return, we hope to receive a positive review of your orthodontic experience in both our Stillwater office (Google, Facebook, or Yelp) and our Woodbury office (Google, Facebook, or Yelp).

The start of fall means we’re heading straight toward the holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years will be here before. The holiday season brings celebration, fun gatherings, and most notably—food. For braces patients, this means that it’s important to be selective about the foods and drinks you consume. However, you shouldn’t have to miss out on holiday fun just because you have braces!

At Henseler & Kocian Orthodontics, we’re proud to be the leading orthodontist in Woodbury and Stillwater, providing exceptional orthodontic care and unmatched service. We love seeing our patients’ faces light up as they see their beautiful smiles for the very first time after removing their braces. As your Woodbury and Stillwater orthodontist, we want nothing more than the absolute best result for each of our patients, and that’s why there’s still one final phase of treatment after we remove your braces: retention. Here’s what you need to know to keep that new smile perfect for years to come!

Orthodontic care like Invisalign is better and more accessible than ever, but it does have a cost associated with it. At Henseler & Kocian Orthodontics, we understand that the overall price of Invisalign may seem daunting at first, but the results will be priceless.

At Henseler & Kocian Orthodontics, we help patients of all ages in Stillwater, Woodbury, and the surrounding areas achieve beautiful, healthy smiles through orthodontic treatment. We know every patient is different and offer a wide range of orthodontic treatment options, and in addition to more well-known treatments like braces and Invisalign, we also offer a highly effective clear aligner-based treatment called 3M Clarity Aligners. We treat patients of all ages, but adolescence is the most common time for orthodontic treatment – and if you or your child getting ready for adolescent treatment, summer offers the perfect opportunity to get started with 3M Clarity Aligners.

At Henseler & Kocian Orthodontics, we're proud to offer comprehensive orthodontic treatment to patients throughout Woodbury, Stillwater, and the surrounding areas. But in addition to offering treatments like braces and Invisalign

If you love to eat ridiculous amounts of great food, then Thanksgiving is most likely one of your favorite holidays of the year! From delicious turkey stuffing to mounds of mashed potatoes and gravy, Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to get together and celebrate with a bounty of savory and sweet treats. For all you braces wearers out there, you’re in luck! Fortunately, the majority of traditional Thanksgiving foods are perfectly fine to eat, even if you’re new to wearing braces and your mouth is still slightly sore.

Wearing braces doesn’t mean that you need to give up Halloween candy, but you do need to snack wisely this Fall. Thankfully, you’ll have plenty of options for delicious treats that also satisfy your sweet tooth. Our staff and doctors here at Henseler & Kocian Orthodontics in Stillwater and Lakewood, MN created this guide to help you pick some go-to favorite snacks while avoiding a sticky situation this Halloween.

Patients improving their smile through orthodontic treatment with traditional braces can face challenges eating certain foods. Your orthodontist will ask you to avoid some foods or change the way you’re eating some of your favorite snacks to ensure a great result. It’s also important to keep in mind that some foods are more likely to stick to your teeth, making oral hygiene a challenge. Here are five foods to stay away from while undergoing orthodontic treatment with braces.

At Henseler & Kocian Orthodontics, we're proud to offer a variety of orthodontic treatments to patients of all ages in the Woodbury and Stillwater, MN areas. Many of our patients are curious about Invisalign clear aligners – so if you've been wondering whether or not Invisalign is right for you, you're not alone. Invisalign is a convenient form of treatment, and as your orthodontic specialists, we can help you discover if Invisalign is right for you.

As busy people we are often enticed by options that seem to offer a quick and easy fix for a problem we face. Not surprisingly, when it comes to your health these solutions are not always the best. With the emergence and growing popularity of “direct to your door” and “do-it-yourself (DIY)” orthodontics, some people are now opting for a quick fix for their teeth. Unfortunately, these can offer more risks than benefits.

Thank you for taking the time to check out our blog here at Henseler & Kocian Orthodontics, your home for high-quality orthodontic treatments, such as braces and Invisalign in Stillwater and Woodbury MN. We’re proud to service all our patients in and around Woodbury and Stillwater with some of the best when it comes to orthodontic care and treatments.