Eau Claire is Dr. Katies hometown and she loves being an orthodontist in the Chippewa Valley as well as being active in the community. A desire to positively impact the lives of others is what brought her to the field of orthodontics. Her ability to create beautiful smiles and build lasting relationships with patients is what makes her an exceptional and compelling doctor. Dr. Katie is truly dedicated to improving the lives of those around her and she strives for perfection in patient care.
An Eau Claire native, Katie went to Robbins Elementary School, South Middle School, and Memorial High School. She attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul for college where she competed on the varsity tennis team. With a strong passion for helping others, she pursued a career in dentistry, graduating from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She then attended Temple University in Philadelphia for her orthodontic residency, graduating with a Masters Degree in Oral Biology and a Certificate in Orthodontics. Temple University is a leader in 3-D imaging and technology, providing excellent education in patient care.
Dr. Katie is proud to have published her Masters Thesis on adult orthodontic care. To stay current in the field of orthodontics, Dr. Katie stays ahead of the curve through diverse professional affiliations. These include:
Dr. Katie enjoys spending time with her two young daughters, Grace and Caroline, and her husband, Dr. Matt. The changing of seasons is one of the reasons Dr. Katie loves this area and she enjoys being outdoors any chance she gets. She goes up north to her familys cabin in northern Wisconsin often throughout the year. As an active member of the community, Dr. Katie also volunteers and supports many local organizations.
Dr. Matts interest in helping people live healthier, more confident lives led him to pursue a career in orthodontics. As an assistant in an orthodontic office in high school, Dr. Matt saw first-hand the amazing difference orthodontic care had on the lives of the patients he met. He is excited to go to work every day knowing that the smiles he creates will last a lifetime.
After graduating from John Marshall High School in Rochester, MN, Dr. Matt attended the University of Michigan, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Material Science and Engineering. During his time at Michigan, he was also a member of the Michigan Rowing Team.
Working with people has always been important to Dr. Matt, which led him to pursue his dental degree at the University of Minnesota. The specialty of orthodontics greatly appealed to him, as it integrated both his dental education and the mechanical principles he learned as an engineer. He chose to pursue a three year orthodontic residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In addition to excellent training in treating traditional orthodontic patients, UNC is known for its superb program in managing craniofacial and surgical orthodontic treatment.
Dr. Matt spends the majority of histime at Larson Orthodontic Specialists, but feels that giving back to the profession is also important. Due to this, he is an associate clinical professor at the University of Minnesota, where he teaches orthodontic treatment planning and biomechanics to orthodontic residents. He also serves on the AAO Committee on Techology and as a Scientific Co-Chair for the2019 AAO Annual Session in Los Angeles. He has assisted in abstracting orthodontic journal articles for Practical Reviews in Orthodontics, editing the most recent edition of Contemporary Orthodontics (a prominent orthodontic textbook), and published a textbook chapter, multiple articles, and posters for research projects. He also stays abreast of the advances in his field through the following affiliations:
With personal attention given to every patient, Dr. Matt makes each individual feel confident and well looked after throughout their journey towards a beautiful smile. By combining state-of-the-art techniques with a truly warm and empathetic personality, Dr. Matt provides exceptional care for his patients, creating fantastic smiles!
Dr. Matt lives in Eau Claire, Wisconsin with his wife, Dr. Katie, and their 2 beautiful daughters - Grace and Caroline. He enjoys running, rowing, and learning how to match Dr. Katie's tennis skills. As members of the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce and the Young Professionals Group, they enjoy volunteering at special events through these organizations, as well as many others around town.
Being the Financial Coordinator for the office is such a rewarding job. I love having fun with patients and finding a financial plan that works best for each unique family. Graduating from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire with a B.B.A. in finance gives me an edge on finding creative solutions for families and allows me to have a vast understanding of dental insurance, health savings accounts, and flex spending accounts. I also use my creativity to assist with marketing efforts in the office. When Im not in the office, I love to geocache, spend time with my many pets and my husband, or find fun songs to add to my ongoing playlist. Every spring I spend time teaching Junior Achievement in the Fall Creek School District.
As a treatment coordinator I love working closely with the doctors and patients on an individualized treatment plan. I strive to make each patient feel comfortable and a part of the Larson Orthodontic family. I truly have fun each day that I come to work; I couldnt ask for a better team to work with! When I am not in the office I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two amazing and beautiful children! Most weekends, we are outdoors exploring and making lasting family memories!
As a Scheduling Coordinator, I love interacting with our patients. Throughout the last couple of years I have been able to make fun connections with several of our Larson families. Seeing their smiling faces and developing relationships with them as they move through all stages of treatment is my favorite! I enjoy the family feel of our office. I love spending my free time with my husband, Josh, and our little girl, Maggie Blue. I cant forget to mention our sweet cat, Nala, as well! Outside of work youll often find me playing board games, camping, or watching movies.
Working at Larson Orthodontics is such a fun adventure! I love getting to be one of the first faces to greet our patients and take pride in my work. When I am not at work youll find me with my husband, Josh and our fur baby, Tucker. I love to get out on the golf course, go fishing, and spend time with my family and friends whenever I can.
I knew I wanted to work in the dental field because my aunt showed me such inspiration and positivity as a dental hygienist. I am so grateful to be a part of the Larson Ortho team! My coworkers are energetic and upbeat, making each day filled with positivity and fun! Getting to see the growth and transformations of our patients throughout treatment is one of my favorite parts of my job. When I am not working, I like to spend time with friends and family and getting outside exploring on my longboard. My guilty pleasures are ice cream and Starbucks- team iced coffee only! :)
Being an orthodontic assistant at Larson Orthodontics is an absolute joy! No day is ever the same and we are always learning and growing as a team. My favorite part about working here is getting to see the results of the doctors hard work and the expression on our patients faces after getting their braces off. I was also a Larson patient several years ago (still wearing my retainers every night!!). When I am not working, you can find me at the gym, doing word searches, rollerblading, and strolling the aisles of Target.
Joining the Larson Orthodontics team as a Dental Assistant was one of the best things I couldve done. My coworkers here are amazing and I love working as a team with them every day. Its fun to learn something new every day here! After work youll find me at various sporting events. Im a huge Packer, Badger, & Brewer fan. I also love to spend time on the four wheeler trails with my family and friends.
Don't worry! Braces aren't nearly as scary as you may think. In fact, braces today come in a variety of styles, materials, and colors, making life with braces much easier, more comfortable, and even more stylish than in the past.
Orthodontic braces are a big part of life for many people your age. While braces may have had a bad reputation in the past, today's braces make it easy to look good and feel good! Please contact our practice to schedule your next orthodontic checkup.
Orthodontic treatment is no longer just for teens. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists states that one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21. Many adults are choosing to receive treatment because they understand the importance of maintaining their health, and they want to feel better about their appearance. Adults everywhere are taking advantage of the opportunity to receive orthodontic care, and now you can too.
For many adults, the thought of having metal braces is enough to discourage them from receiving treatment. However, today's orthodontic treatment options offer a variety of braces and appliances that are comfortable, aesthetic, and customized to meet your needs. Types of braces include:
The main difference to remember when treating adults or children and teens, is that in younger patients the jawbones are still developing. For adults, these bones have stopped growing, which may mean the possibility of orthognathic surgery to align the jawbones. Other differences include:
Our practice also recognizes that adults and children have different needs, and require a different level of attention and care. We will work with you to ensure that you receive the most appropriate treatments, and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.