We did it again!  Thanks to our staff and great patients we have been identified by 5280 Magazine in Denver as Denver's Top Orthodontist for the 5th year in a row!  This is quite an honor and it is something we do not take lightly.
We work hard to make sure our patients get the best treatment utilizing the best technology available in the market given the treatment that is needed to improve your smile.  From your initial consultation to the completion of treatment we make sure you receive the best in care from our staff and Dr. Derek A. Straffon.
Why should you choose Straffon Orthodontics?

State-of-the-art orthodontics technology and friendly patient centered staff, Straffon Orthodontics should be your choice for an orthodontist in the Denver metro area.
At Straffon Orthodontics, we pride ourselves in providing the ultimate in orthodontic care in a professional and comfortable environment. Our goal is to create extraordinary smiles for all of our patients to enjoy for a lifetime. We use a number of state-of-the-art techniques which will help to reduce treatment time. We want to make each visit convenient for you.

Call to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Straffon at our Denver Office at 303-758-3414.

Dr. Straffon's guidance for rubber bands

Attached to your braces, elastics (rubber bands) are worn as part of the system to help move your teeth, guide them and improve your bite. Any time missed in wearing your elastics will only make your treatment take longer, so remember these things:

1. You are responsible for placing the elastics on your braces between appointments. Make sure to wear them as instructed. Remove them only when brushing your teeth, gums and braces after meals. Then put them back on immediately. 
2. Always carry a few elastics with you, so if one breaks, you can replace it right away. If your supply is low, call the office and we will mail you an additional supply of elastics. 
3. If you forget to insert your elastics one day, don't double up the next day- just follow your regular instructions. 
4. Elastics become worn out. When they lose their elasticity, they don't provide the proper pressure on your teeth and jaws. It is very important to change them as directed, even when they are not broken. 
5. If your elastics break frequently, a wire or band loosens, or a hook breaks off - call our office immediately. Don't wait until your next appointment. These problems need to be corrected as soon as possible!

We encourage you to ask questions and we are happy to take the time to answer any and all concerns you have.  We are rated as the Best Orthodontist in Denver by 5280 Magazine for 4 years running.  We look forward to meeting you soon.

Conditions corrected by Orthodontics

Misaligned teeth and an incorrect bite may affect more than just the appearance of your smile. The following conditions may potentially be corrected by orthodontics:

• Speech impediments 
• Jaw or TMJ pain 
• Difficulty chewing and eating 
• Sleep apnea caused by mouth breathing and snoring 
• Grinding or clenching of the teeth 
• Gum disease and tooth decay 

Patients experiencing any of the above symptoms should contact their dentist to determine the cause of their condition. Aesthetics do, however, play an important role when it comes to deciding if braces are right for you. Self confidence may improve for patients that have concerns with the appearance of their teeth or facial shape. Many treatment options are available for correcting the look of your teeth and smile.
We are excited about what the new year might bring for us and our patients. If you are interested in talking with someone on our staff about how orthodontic treatment is right for you please visit our website and call or fill out the request an appointment form at Straffon Orthodontics in Denver.

Flex Spending Accounts

As the year comes to a close we at Straffon Orthodontics get very busy with people scheduling appointments and looking to close out their flexible spending cafeteria plans. We urge you to call soon and make an appointment so we can be sure to fit you in before the end of the year. Below are some guidelines for plans that you might find helpful. If you have questions about your specific type of plan be sure to call your insurance company or gives our staff a call and we can help you. 303-758-3414
Straffon Orthodontics in Denver
Sincerely, Dr. Straffon

"Another major expense not typically covered (at least, not generally covered very well) under employer-sponsored dental plans is orthodontics. Employees may use Flexible Spending Accounts to pay for orthodontic expenses. Orthodontic expenses typically cost a great deal of money, so that the tax saved through use of a Flex account is often thousands of dollars."
"Most of us never get to deduct our out-of-pocket health expenses on our IRS tax returns because our expenses do not exceed the threshold of 7.5% of Adjusted Gross Income. There is no minimum threshold with the FSA. The employee enjoys a tax-saving beginning with the first dollar put into a flex account."
 Source - http://probenefitplans.com/Flex.htm

Straffon Orthodontics Now Offering INSIGNIA™ Customized Braces

Hi-Tech 3D Smile Design Technology Creates Beautiful Smiles Quickly and Comfortably with Fewer Appointments; Patients Can Preview New Smile before Treatment Begins

Area residents looking to improve their less-than-perfect teeth now have a new option to achieve the smile of their dreams quickly and comfortably. Dr. Straffon of Straffon Orthodontics in Denver (http://www.straffonorthodontics.com) is now offering Insignia™, a new 3-D Advanced Smile Design™ system that provides customized braces to fit each patient’s unique features.

Insignia’s computerized digital orthodontic system uses hi-tech 3-D computer modeling along with the patient’s unique dental anatomy to manufacture brackets and wires made specifically for each patient. Patients get a digital 3-D preview of their new smile so they’ll know what results to expect before treatment even begins. And, because everything is custom-designed, Insignia braces are more comfortable than traditional braces and may require fewer office visits to get the best smile.

“Insignia is great for patients who may be unsure about what to expect, including those with mild or severe cases,” said Dr. Straffon. “It’s especially ideal for adult patients who may have put off treatment due to worries about discomfort and the inconvenience of appointments every few weeks. With Insignia, they can finally have the smile they’ve always wanted, without the hassle.”

To create a treatment plan, the orthodontist first takes an impression of the patient’s mouth, which is scanned and converted into a 3D image. Insignia’s exclusive CAD (Computer Aided Design) software uses advanced algorithms to determine the best possible outcome based on the patient’s unique dental structure. A digital model is created to allow the patient and doctor to view the predicted outcome prior to initiating treatment. Changes can be made to the treatment plan as needed.

Once the plan is approved by the doctor, customized brackets and wires are manufactured specifically for the patient's unique dental anatomy to move the teeth precisely into the desired position. The doctor has the ability to provide aesthetic options based on patient preference.

“Insignia is one of the most innovative advances in modern orthodontics and represents a new breed of hi-tech solutions designed to solve an age-old problem,” Dr. Straffon said. “We are no longer forced into a one-size-fits-all approach to straight teeth. With Insignia’s custom-designed system, we can achieve accurate and individualized results and ensure greater satisfaction for our patients.”

Insignia is manufactured by Ormco Corporation, a leader in developing innovative orthodontic treatments and products for more than 50 years.

To schedule an appointment with Straffon Orthodontics in Denver to learn more about Insignia, contact Dr. Straffon or Straffon Orthodontics at 303-758-3414 or visit http://www.ormco.com.

About Ormco Corporation:
For more than 50 years, Ormco has provided innovative products and services that help orthodontists deliver exceptional clinical results in the least amount of time and with the greatest patient comfort. The company is a subsidiary of Sybron Dental Specialties, Inc., a leading manufacturer of a broad range of value-added products for the dental profession, including the specialty markets of orthodontics, endodontics and implantology, and a variety of infection prevention products for use by the medical profession. 

Hello Patients, fellow Doctors, and Friends,
Our office remodel is completed enough that I can let you all know that we are all real pleased with how things turned out and we are excited to be working in such a wonderful environment.  As can be anticipated we had our challenges in both design, execution, and budget, but we expect this new office to serve our needs and make our patients feel comfortable and confident that they partnered with the right practice for orthodontic treatment in Denver.
We have updated our Straffon Orthodontics Facebook page with photos of awesome results and happy patients and we ask you to come visit and "like" us.  Additionally if you are a tweeter we are on Twitter and we would like it if you follow us.  We don't only tweet about orthodontics and we follow back.

Braces for Teens

The teen years are a tough time, but they are one of the best times for braces or Invisalign Teen. Between the ages of 10 and 15 is the most common time for orthodontic care, and for good reasons. By age 12, most if not all of the permanent teeth have erupted and are in place, and crooked teeth, gaps and a bad bite can easily be detected. These problems will almost never correct themselves, so this is when most parents decide to seek orthodontic treatment.

This is also a good time for orthodontic treatment because it is expected that most teens will have orthodontic care and the negative associations of braces are not present. Many children in this age are easily convinced to wear braces because they see their friends wearing them, and want to fit in.

Besides the benefits of fitting in with their friends, children at this age are growing rapidly, and Dr Straffon can usually take advantage of these growth spurts to help shape the bite and teeth correctly. Teens have high metabolisms, which can help shorten overall treatment time and reduce the discomfort of orthodontic treatment.

View great orthodontics results in our Smile Gallery.

We look forward to seeing your child in the office for orthodontics or Invisalign.

Dr. Straffon has been chosen by his peers as a topDentist or Specialist in Colorado. We have worked hard for this recognition. The article mentioning the topDentists of Colorado for 2012 can be found in the June issue of 5280 Magazine. 

The list of nominees is created from peer evaluations and includes listings for more than 500 Dentists and specialists in Colorado alone.  To compile the list, topDentists asked a personal questions of Dentists and other specialists, "If you had a patient in need of a dentist, which dentist would you refer him to?"

Dr. Straffon has been chosen as a Top Orthodontist in Denver for the last 4 years.

Our goal at Straffon Orthodontics is to create extraordinary smiles for all our patients to enjoy!

I'm an adult, what can braces do for me?

I'm an adult, what can braces do for me?

Orthodontics can correct the alignment of the teeth at any age. Sometimes we need to work with maxillofacial surgeons for correct jaw alignment in adults as growth is not available to help us achieve treatment goals. Orthodontics can be done at any age if the bone and gum tissue around the teeth are healthy. With adults we occasionally need to make space for crowns, implants or bridges when teeth have shifted to poor positions, often the result of early loss of teeth due to decay, gum disease, or trauma. We also treat adults who were treated as adolescents and experienced relapse due to inadequate retainer wear, physiologic shifting of the teeth, or continued genetic growth patterns that persisted after the original treatment was completed. Straight teeth and a beautiful smile can enhance self-esteem and self-confidence at any age, plus improve overall oral health. It's never too late to look and feel great.
http://www.straffonorthodontics.com/

"Harry the Retainer Wearing Dog"

Dr. Straffon,

You've heard of the book "Harry the Dirty Dog". Well, this is a story
of "Harry, the retainer wearing dog". I was sitting on the sofa
having a snack after school. I placed my retainer on the coffee table and when I turned around....Harry was wearing it!!!
The good thing for me was...I didn't have to wear it. After many weeks...Harry wore the retainer right down...but received many
compliments on his new white, sparkly smile!! Please see the photos
below for "before" and "after" shots of Harry. The moral of the
story is...if you want to keep your straight, gleeming Straffon smile...keep your retainer away from your dog!!!


Harry the dirty dog.

Seth Goldstein's Bar Mitzvah

It is my true honor to announce a congratulations to one of our patients Seth Goldstein, who achieved his Bar Mitzvah this year. I had the pleasure to attend his ceremony with his family and friends. I recognize the dedication and hard work which was exemplified throughout the event. I believe that moments you remember in life are those you share with family and friends. It was an inspiring moment for myself watching Seth become a Bar Mitzvah.

Dr. Straffon

What are Separators?

What are separators?

Seperators are usually small, doughnut shaped rubber bands that go between the posterior teeth about 7-10 days before getting bands. They can also be referred to as spacers. They create space between the teeth so the bands may be placed around the tooth, otherwise the band would not fit. You should not try to floss between the teeth with the seperators in. Also, avoid chewing anything super sticky or gooey. If you were to feel any discomfort a tylenol or advil will help take the edge off. If a seperator were to come out make sure you contact the office so it can be placed back in to save the space they are creating

Fluoride

What is fluoride?
· Topical fluoride helps to protect the tooth enamel from decalcification, which can leave permanent white scares
that are etched into the tooth enamel
Is decalcification preventable?
· Absolutely! With the proper home care and hygiene this common problem can be avoided all together
· Be sure to continue seeing your general dentist every three to six months for your general dental needs and
cleanings
How often should I use fluoride?
· Every day!
· Do not eat or drink for at least 30 minutes after using the fluoride to allow the fluoride time to protect your teeth
· Be sure to brush prior to applying the fluoride

When is the best time to use fluoride?

· Just before bedtime after the teeth are brushed ensures time for the fluoride to set.
Questions?
· Give our office a call and we will be happy to help, and answer any questions or concerns

TMJ/TMD

Sleep on your back:
· In order to sleep on your back, the natural curvature of the spine must be preserved.
· Place a pillow underneath your knees and either a small pillow or a rolled towel underneath your neck for support.


Apply moist heat:
· Apply to the areas that ache using a heating pad that supplies moist heat or a dry heating pad in combination with a moist
towel.
· Do this for periods of 20 minutes twice each day.
· Hot showers, saunas, or steam baths may be helpful.


Limit the intake of sugar, caffeine and nicotine:
· Sugar and caffeine are stimulants to the nervous system, which results in increased muscle activity. In most cases, we are
trying to rest muscles in order to heal painful spasms.
· Nicotine causes blood sugar to rise, which again increases muscle activity.


Avoid clenching your teeth:
· Try to remember, “Lips together, teeth apart.”

Avoid foods that require a lot of chewing:
· This includes excessively hard or sticky foods.
· NO gum chewing.

Beware of opening your mouth excessively wide:
· This tends to stretch the muscles and ligaments within the jaw beyond their capacity to heal.
· No vocal strain such as voice lessons, choir singing, or cheerleading.
· No unnecessary clicking maneuvers

Analgesics:
· Non-prescription medications taken around the clock may be very effective in breaking the cycle of pain and inflammation.· The most likely are either coated aspirin products or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Advil or Nuprin).

RUBBER BANDS

Common Questions:

What are Rubber Bands?
· They ensure proper movement of your teeth and correction of your bite
· They are very important to the final outcome of your treatment

How much do I wear them?
· You need to wear them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (even when sleeping) unless otherwise instructed
· You may remove them only when eating, tooth brushing, playing sports or musical instruments
· Consistency is the key to the success and final outcome of your treatment

Will I be sore?
· You may be sore for the first few days until you get used to them
· If you are inconsistent with wearing your rubber bands, the soreness will remain until you wear them consistently

Do I need to change them often?
· Change elastics daily even if not broken, as they will lose their ability to improve your bite
· Keep extras on hand in case they do break

What if I run out?
· Stop by the office and pick some up or call and we will be happy to mail them to you

Retainers

Here are some common questions about retainers....

What is the purpose of a retainer?
· Retainers are designed to maintain your teeth in a corrected position following orthodontic treatment
· Without proper wear, teeth may have a tendency to move or shift
How often should I wear my retainers?
· Retainers should be worn full-time (24hours / day) for 1 year. Then, night-time wear indefinitely
Will my retainer affect my speech?
· Your speech will be affected for the first few days as your tongue gets used to your retainers
· Reading out loud or continued speaking will help
· The more you wear your retainers the quicker you will get used to them
How do I take care of my retainers?
· Please use the retainer cases given to you. They protect your retainers from breaking when they are not in your mouth
· Clean your retainers with a toothbrush, toothpaste and cold water
· Be gentle especially around the wires, and do not squeeze the retainers, which may cause the retainers to crack
· Denture cleaning tablets can be used monthly, or as often as needed to remove plaque and buildup
Retainer Rules:
· Keep your retainers away from pets, as they love to chew them
· Keep retainers out of the sun, as they may distort.
· Never flip or play with the retainer with your tongue or chew on them. This may cause the wires to bend and the plastic to break
.Do not wear retainers during contact sports or swimming. Always have a case with you for these activities.
Questions?
· Give our office a call and we will be happy to help, and answer any questions or concerned

Remember wear your retainers; Shift happens!

When Is The Right Time For An Orthodontic Check-Up?

No later than age 7 according to the American Association of Orthodontist:

1. Orthodontist can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present.

2. While your child's teeth may appear to be straight, there could be a problem that only an orthodontist can detect.

3. The check-up may reveal that your child's bite is fine. Or, the orthodontist may identify a developing problem but recommend monitoring the child's growth and development, and then, if indicated, begin treatment at the appropriate time for the child. In other cases, the orthodontist might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment.

4. Early treatment may prevent more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated.

5. In some cases, the orthodontist will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.

6. Early treatment may give your orthodontist the chance to:

• guide jaw growth
• lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
• correct harmful oral habits
• improve appearance
• guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
• improve the way lips meet

7. Through an early orthodontic evaluation, you will be giving your child the best opportunitiy for a healthy, beautiful smile.

“Flossing with Braces”


Flossing with braces is very important during your treatment. The space between the teeth is nearly impossible to reach with your tooth brush. Therefore, regular flossing routines are necessary to prevent plaque buildup . You are probably thinking how am I going to floss when the wire is in the way? Well, you can thread the floss underneath the wire by hand or use a floss threader. That way you can floss just like you normally would. Flossing is important for the health of your gums, and in preventing gingivitis. Try to floss twice a day, if it is difficult for you, try to floss your upper teeth in the morning and your lower at night until you are comfortable with it.

Welcome to the Straffon Orthodontics page! We've recently installed new ways to stay connected to our office- Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and our very own blog! Visit us by clicking the icons at the top right of our page.

Look forward to seeing you soon,
Dr. Straffon