Dr. Mindy Richtsmeier, DDS

Dr. Mindy received her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Iowa in 2007. Since then, she has completed hundreds of hours of postgraduate study in all aspects of oral health and its relation to overall health, with great emphasis on airway and TMJ health.
Dr. Mindy has over a decade of experience in braces and clear aligner orthodontics, with certifications in Invisalign and ClearCorrect.

Orthodontic treatment means more than just straight teeth to Dr. Mindy. She has a passion for properly developed jaws and a beautiful set of teeth that perfectly fits the smile and face surrounding them.

She has completed extensive training in multiple highly customized jaw expansion appliances for both kids and adults. She is a certified and passionate provider of the Homeoblock, Biobloc orthotropic appliances, light wire ALF and Crozat appliances, the Airway Health Solutions expansion techniques, the Gelb Institute TAO Method, Myobrace and Healthy Start systems, and Myomunchee. Her focus is on the early identification of improper jaw development in children with early noninvasive intervention to redirect growth for a proper course of development. With epigenetic growth principles, she also develops the jaws of interested adult patients. This leaves them with broader smiles, improved facial profiles, a more robust airway, and improved TMJ condition.
With a great interest in the intimate relationship of nutrition, breathing, sleep, light, and movement with oral structures and oral health, Dr. Mindy makes it her mission to determine the root cause of oral health and TMJ issues. She has a holistic and case-dependent approach to dentistry, helping her patients achieve a smile that they are proud to show off.

Dr. Mindy has been certified in soft tissue laser dentistry by the International Center for Laser Education for over a decade. She is also one of the few dentists in the state with the nationally applauded LightScalpel CO2 laser, arguably the best tool available for tongue tie releases and many other procedures.

She is a member of the American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry, American Laser Study Club, American Academy of Oral and Systemic Health, Foundation for Airway Health, American Academy of Gnathologic Orthopedics, Academy of General Dentistry, Spear Study Club, Weston A Price Foundation, World Association of Photobiomodulation Therapy, American Dental Association, Iowa Dental Association, and Des Moines District Dental Society.

Outside of her daily grind, Dr. Mindy makes it a priority to serve those in need. She is an enthusiastic participant in our annual Apex Dental day of free dentistry, Operation Give Back. She has participated in international mission trips, providing volunteer dental services in Jamaica and El Salvador. In addition, she actively volunteers with The Dental Lifeline Network, Donated Dental Services, Dentistry from the Heart, Iowa Mission of Mercy, and Everyone for Veterans. She also works with our local VA hospital to help local vets get the dental care they need.

Out in the wild, Dr. Mindy loves the great outdoors and family adventures with hubby Brad and the kids, Emma and Max. Winters are filled with snowboarding and snowshoe hikes. Summers are dominated by her stand-up paddleboard and her stand-up jet ski named Milli Vanilli, along with an occasional 3D archery shoot. Extracurricular activities include cooking, gardening, board games, ignoring piles of laundry, and DIY carpentry projects—her favorite being the chicken coop she built for the Richtsmeier family chickens—Pollo Loco, Shirley, Pamela, and the gang.