Modern Braces.
Personalized Care.
Braces for Teens & Adults in the Western Suburbs of Minneapolis
Braces are more effective, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing than ever before thanks to incredible technological advancements in the last few decades. At Lake Minnetonka Orthodontics, we leverage this technology to help patients of all ages find the right type of braces for their orthodontic needs, budget, and lifestyle.
If you’re ready to explore braces, our friendly and caring team is ready to help at one of our three convenient locations in Minnetonka, Excelsior, or Wayzata. We serve kids, teens, and adults with personalized treatment, trusted expertise, and a comfortable, welcoming experience.
Schedule your consultation today to learn more about our expert approach to braces treatment!
What Are Braces, and How Do They Work?
Braces are orthodontic appliances designed to gently move your teeth into optimal alignment. Whether you’re dealing with crowding, spacing, or bite issues, braces can help improve how your teeth look and function, often boosting your oral health and confidence along the way.
They work by applying continuous, controlled pressure using small brackets attached to your teeth and a thin wire that connects them. Over time, your teeth shift into place with regular adjustments from your orthodontist to guide the process.
The Lasting Benefits of Braces
Braces do more than straighten teeth; they’re an investment in your overall health and confidence. By improving the way your teeth fit and function, braces can make everyday things like eating, speaking, and smiling more comfortable and natural. They also help prevent future dental problems and support lifelong oral wellness.
Better Confidence
Whether it’s for school photos or work meetings, feeling good about your smile matters. Braces help align your teeth and enhance your appearance, giving kids, teens, and adults a reason to smile with confidence every day.
Making Oral Hygiene Easier
When teeth are crowded or too widely spaced, it can be tough to clean them properly, leaving room for plaque and decay. By properly aligning your teeth, braces make brushing and flossing more effective.
Preventing Gum Disease & Tooth Decay
Braces help align your smile, making daily cleaning easier and reducing buildup. Over time, this helps protect your enamel, prevent gum recession, and support long-term oral health.
Improve Facial Balance & Bite Function
Poor bite alignment can cause uneven wear, jaw strain, and affect your facial balance. Braces guide your teeth and jaws into a better position, improving bite function and enhancing the harmony of your smile and facial features.
Modern Braces for Every Lifestyle: What We Offer
We offer multiple advanced braces options, including Clarity™ Clear Braces from 3M and Unitek™ Metal Braces. Each option is designed to suit different lifestyles, goals, and treatment needs.
Clarity™ Clear Braces
Clarity clear braces offer a comfortable and discreet option for braces treatment without sacrificing effectiveness. Made with a translucent, stain-resistant ceramic material that blends in with your natural tooth color, the brackets on Clarity ceramic braces are also smaller and smoother to help reduce any rubbing or irritation.
Unitek™ Metal Braces
Metal braces remain the most commonly used orthodontic appliance because they work extremely well (especially for complex cases) and offer the most control over tooth movement. We use 3M Unitek metal braces, which are smaller and less visible, allowing patients to receive effective treatment that’s more discreet.
Looking for a Braces Alternative? Invisalign® Might Be the Answer
Invisalign clear aligners can be an appealing braces alternative. They are practically invisible and can be conveniently removed, which means you can eat and drink what you like, when you like.
If you’re considering a braces alternative, you’re in good hands at Lake Minnetonka Orthodontics! Our experts can treat almost any bite misalignment using clear aligners, and we’re proud to be a Diamond Plus Provider – meaning we’re among the top 1% of Invisalign providers. If you’re curious about Invisalign, we encourage you to set up a consultation with us to see if this treatment is a good fit for your needs.
What To Expect on Your Braces Journey
Your braces journey with Lake Minnetonka Orthodontics is a personalized experience designed around your unique smile. With decades of experience and a warm, knowledgeable team, we guide each patient with care and clarity from start to finish.
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Your braces journey starts with a complimentary consultation, where we examine your teeth, create digital models of your teeth and gum structure using our iTero scanner, and discuss your dental history. We use this information to craft a custom treatment plan designed for your smile.
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The next step is placing your braces. Your orthodontist will place each bracket on your teeth and then their assistant will place the archwire and colorful elastic ties. This process typically takes between 60 and 90 minutes.
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During the treatment phase, you’ll need to visit us for periodic check-ups and braces adjustments. We’ll make necessary adjustments to your archwire based on your progress.
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Once you’ve completed treatment (the average braces treatment takes about two years), it will be time for your braces removal. This process is straightforward and painless, and very exciting for everyone involved!
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The final step of the braces process is retention. We will fit you with custom-made retainers that will help preserve your hard-earned results and protect your investment of time and money.
The Cost of Braces Treatment
We believe orthodontic treatment should feel straightforward from the very beginning, including the financial details. Because every patient’s smile, goals, and treatment needs are different, the total cost of braces treatment varies from person to person. During your complimentary consultation, our team will explain your recommended treatment plan, review your insurance benefits, and answer any questions you may have.
Lake Minnetonka Orthodontics accepts most insurance plans and our experienced billing team can help you maximize available coverage and HSA/FSA funds. We also provide flexible payment options tailored to your family’s needs, helping make high-quality orthodontic care accessible and convenient.
Let’s Achieve Your Smile Goals With Modern Braces Treatment
Our expert team at Lake Minnetonka Orthodontics is dedicated to exceptional, personalized care here in the communities we proudly serve. Led by Dr. Nelson, Dr. Tiziani, and Dr. Carr, we have been helping families in Minnetonka, Excelsior, and Wayzata smile with confidence for over 50 years. Many of our team members grew up in the area, and we’re proud to be the trusted orthodontic home for generations of patients.
Whether you’re considering braces or have questions about alternative options like Invisalign, we’ll help you find the option for your lifestyle and goals. Schedule your complimentary consultation today, and take the first step toward a happy, healthy smile.
Frequently Asked Questions About Braces Treatment
Issues that braces treatment can help with include: open bites, gapped teeth, crowding, overbites, underbites, crossbites, tooth position/rotation, intrusion and extrusion, and midline movement. Braces can be a great orthodontic solution for teens and adults alike who are dealing with these types of issues.
Yes, and this is actually one of the most common reasons adults seek orthodontic treatment! Teeth naturally shift over time, especially if retainers aren’t worn consistently. Many adults find that retreatment improves both confidence and long-term oral health while preventing additional alignment problems later on.
Absolutely! Teens with braces can safely continue playing contact sports like hockey, lacrosse, and football. We typically recommend wearing a properly fitted orthodontic mouthguard to help protect the braces, teeth, and soft tissues during games and practices.
Yes. When teeth don’t align properly, certain teeth can absorb more pressure than others during chewing or grinding. Over time, this uneven force may lead to excessive wear, chipping, or enamel damage. Braces help improve bite alignment so pressure is distributed more evenly across your smile.
Both clear and metal braces require excellent brushing and flossing habits, since food and plaque can collect around brackets and wires. Metal braces are slightly more durable and less prone to staining, while clear ceramic braces may require extra attention to keep them looking clean.
Most braces patients visit the orthodontist every 6–10 weeks for adjustments and progress checks. These appointments allow your orthodontist to monitor tooth movement, make small wire adjustments, and ensure treatment stays on track. Modern orthodontic technology helps make visits efficient, convenient, and easier to fit into busy family schedules.