Dr. Donald Drake - Continuing Education in Orthodontics

Continuing education is highly necessary in the field of orthodontics, especially when it comes to staying on top of the most current industry treatments and technologies. Even in orthodontics a lot can change in a year; there are always new appliances and treatment methods being designed to make the entire orthodontic experience better for patients and doctors alike!

Recently I attended a continuing education seminar that provided me with insight on the many effective ways to improve the overall “patient experience” for our patients, as well as improve the overall professionalism of our practice. Throughout this seminar we discussed how to get organized and set goals, make appointments more convenient for our patients, and how to increase the professionalism of our practice as a team.

Everybody at this seminar received a lot of great information! If you would like to know more about this seminar, or find out more about continuing education let us know! We would be happy to share with you the different experiences we’ve had and all of the information we’ve picked up along the way. Feel free to share with us any suggestions you may have for making Drake Orthodontics a more successful practice!

Dr. Donald Drake - When Are Two Phases of Treatment Necessary?

Usually patients in orthodontic treatment already have their permanent teeth – but in some cases we have to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. We call this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat. Examples include an upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly, or a mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in.

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has “baby teeth.” Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly, such as a retainer. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent the patient’s permanent teeth have come in. Phase two often does involve braces and sometimes headgear.

In order to catch early problems, we recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontics). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit an orthodontist even sooner. For more information about two-phase orthodontics, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Drake please call 605-335-6665 (Sioux Falls) or 605-996-4025 (Mitchell) and visit our web site.

Braces-Friendly Holiday Treats - Drake Orthodontics

This holiday don’t let those dancing sugar plums and holiday goodies get in between you and your braces!

While there are many things that you can eat and drink during your orthodontic treatment, there are certain foods that may break your appliance or braces; and, not only will that increase your treatment time and the risk of other dental problems, but Santa may not be too pleased either!

During the holiday season there are a variety of tempting treats available to eat. The key is choosing the right ones that won’t break or loosen your appliances. The following list should help guide you through a braces-safe holiday.

Treats to avoid:

• Peanut brittle
• Popcorn treats
• Hard candy
• Caramel
• Toffee
• Treats containing nuts

Try some of these tasty treats instead:

• Soft cookies without nuts
• Fudge without nuts
• Cake
• Cheesecake
• Pie

As always, remember to brush and floss after eating any sugary foods. If you are not able to brush and floss after eating, rinse your mouth with clear water until you can brush properly.

Happy holidays from Drake Orthodontics!

Drake Orthodontics Construction Update

Our new building is underway, and everything is going smoothly. Here are some exciting new pictures that show the foundation of our practice taking shape! We are still looking forward to next fall when the office is scheduled to open and we can’t wait for our patients to experience all of the wonderful improvements we’ve made to deliver a more comfortable orthodontic experience.

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to visit our MySpace page to see all the photos!

Meet Our Amazing Team!

Our team does more than just work on smiles - we form lasting and trusting relationships with you and your family. We are dedicated to your care and treatment and will always be there to answer your questions and to explain your treatment options. We want to make your time with us as comfortable as possible, and we have the best people working to give you the smile you've always dreamed of!


Our Orthodontic Technicians, from left to right: Cathy, Kris, Terry, Laura, and Gina


Our Lab and Records technicians Lisa (left) and Susie (right)


Lab and Records Technicians Ann (left) and Robyn (center) with our Sterilization Technician Marissa (right)


Lisa our appointment coordinator (left) with fellow appointment coordinator and treatment coordinator Kristi (right)


Our office manager and treatment coordinator Coni (left), our Financial Coordinator Daleen (center), and our Administrative Assistant Karen (right)