As a faculty member at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Matt works with some of the best up-and-coming and established practitioners and doctors. As well-respected practitioners in the orthodontic community, word about the Larsons’ search for a third doctor spread quickly. They were looking for someone genuinely personable with clinical experience, and who appreciates Wisconsin culture and family values. Dr. Angie came to the mind of one of Dr. Matt’s University of Minnesota peers.

“People from other places and programs spoke highly about Larson Orthodontic Specialists, across the board,” Dr. Angie said. “The exact words I heard about their open position were, ‘This is a dream job.’ I had heard nothing but positive things about the Larsons themselves, and their modern practice.”

Chasing her own dream of serving people and kids going through similar experiences to her own, having had dental work and braces while growing up, Dr. Angie knew Larson Orthodontics — and Eau Claire — was the golden opportunity to do so.

Originally from a small town in Pennsylvania, Dr. Angie quickly fell in love with the natural beauty of Wisconsin while working as a dentist in Appleton prior to her orthodontic residency. Now living and working in the Chippewa Valley, it is easy to feel at home, and she is focused on giving her patients the kind of experience she once had while receiving orthodontic care.

“Growing up, I wanted braces badly because my teeth were misaligned. I was embarrassed to smile for photos,” Dr. Angie recalled. “I begged my parents for braces one year for Christmas, and they took me in to get them. It was so fun to watch my teeth unravel and become not so crowded anymore. For me, that heightened confidence was incredible.”

“That was a pivotal moment for me, and I knew I wanted other kids to experience that too!”

Dr. Angie was immediately drawn to the personalized treatment planning that Larson Orthodontics offers. Larson Orthodontics continues to expand their options for customized appliances, giving patients extremely well-fitted, personalized expanders, braces, and more — that make for a more comfortable experience. With such a high level of customization, they are easier to clean, stay in place better, and can offer a more time-efficient process.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial orthodontic exam around the age of 7, at Larson, this is a free appointment that allows the doctors to catch developing issues as kids continue to grow and develop. “The vast majority of kids we see at this age do not necessarily need braces, but there is a lot of change that happens around this age,” Dr. Matt explained. “It is really helpful to catch things early on.”

“For example, even removing baby teeth early on can make a huge difference in guiding the eruption of the permanent teeth,” Dr. Katie continued. “If kids don’t need intervention, they can continue to come back on an annual basis for a free exam to ensure their teeth are growing nicely and there aren’t arising issues. Doing so means we can adjust any plans based how each individual grows and develops rather than starting out years down the road without knowing their full history.”

“Every patient will always see an orthodontist at each regular visit, which is very important to us,” Dr. Katie said. “We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our incredible team, and they’re with our patients every step of the way.”

Settling into a new chapter, Drs. Matt, Katie, and Angie and the Larson Orthodontics team continue to lead with trailblazing technology and personalized care that prioritizes you and your family.