Antioch CA

What’s Stopping You From Getting Braces?

March 22nd, 2019

MANY ADULTS MISTAKENLY believe that they missed their chance to get braces because they didn’t have them as teenagers. However, the number of adult orthodontic patients has risen dramatically over the last few decades, and today we’re going to debunk all of your excuses for not getting braces and show you why orthodontic treatment is still a wonderful option for adults with dental alignment issues.

“It’s Too Late; My Teeth Won’t Move”

It may be preferable to start young for orthodontic treatment, but there is no age limit to getting a straighter smile. We can help determine the best treatment for your circumstances. One advantage adult orthodontic patients have over teens is the self-discipline that comes with maturity; adults will often be better at following instructions for their treatment, which means it will go much smoother.

“I’ll Be Fine If I Keep My Crooked Teeth”

If you’ve been living with crooked teeth your whole life, you might think there’s no point in getting orthodontic treatment. But having straight teeth isn’t just about appearances — it’s also about improved oral and overall health. Straight teeth are easier to clean and make it easier to speak, chew, and even breathe effectively, whereas crooked teeth cause difficulties in all of these areas and can grow more crooked over time.

“Having Braces Will Make Me Look Unprofessional”

Some adults who would like straighter teeth may still hesitate to seek orthodontic treatment because they worry that spending a year or longer in braces could impact their personal lives or careers by making them look immature or unprofessional. Luckily, there are several low-profile orthodontic treatment options for patients who don’t want to broadcast their treatment to the world, such as invisible aligners, clear ceramic braces, and lingual (tongue-side) braces. With these, you can straighten your teeth without anyone noticing your hardware!

“Orthodontic Treatment Is Expensive”

Orthodontic treatment can certainly cost more than a regular dental appointment, but it’s also an investment in your future, saving you from the expenses of problems that come with crooked teeth or a bad bite. If you aren’t sure you can fit braces into your budget, schedule a consultation with us. Together, we can find the best and most affordable option for you.

Leave Your Braces Excuses Behind

Leave crooked teeth behind.  Call us today start your orthodontic treatment.  No more excuses!  You will love your new smile!  Your smile is our inspiration. Please call Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California at 925-757-9000 to schedule your complimentary orthodontic exam. Find us at www.clubbraces.com. Together, we can make braces affordable for you. We also offer CareCredit long term financing with no down-payment and OrthoCalc sliding scale 0% financing.

Don’t let excuses keep you from your dream smile!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

What Every Woman Should Know About Her Oral Health

March 14th, 2019

WE UNDERSTAND THAT we’re your orthodontic practice, not your general dentist. However, as one of your lifelong health partners, we’re concerned here at our practice about your complete oral health. That’s why we feel like it’s important to provide relevant and useful information that’s often not orthodontics specific.

Did you realize that women have special challenges when it comes to oral health? Hormonal cycles can affect the way women’s bodies react to bacteria and plaque inside their mouths. If you’re a woman — or if you’d like to pass this information along to a woman who could benefit from it — our team encourages you to learn more about these important dental facts.

Hormonal Cycles Can Affect Gums

Puberty, pregnancy, and menstruation cause increased progesterone and estrogen levels, which can lead to increased gum sensitivity. There’s also a condition known as menstruation gingivitis, which can cause some women to experience increased bleeding and swollen gums right before menstruation. This condition is typically not serious and clears up quickly. Gingivitis during pregnancy can be more severe, and may even cause non-cancerous oral tumors. That’s another reason why it’s important for women to keep their regular checkup appointments with their general dentist during pregnancy.

Oral contraceptives also increase hormone levels in women’s bodies, which can cause increased sensitivity and vulnerability to gum disease. During menopause, hormonal fluctuations can also create oral health problems including dry mouth syndrome, which can significantly add to a woman’s tooth decay risk.

Other Oral Health Problems That Are More Likely To Affect Women

  • Women are almost twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders). TMD causes strain on one’s jaw joint and potential damage to teeth, often as a result of clenching and/or teeth grinding.
  • HPV is becoming more common, and research is increasingly suggesting a link between HPV and oral cancer. Regular oral cancer screenings are important whether or not a woman has high risk factors.
  • Women are much more susceptible to osteoporosis than men, which can cause jaw bone loss and associated periodontal disease problems.

The Great News? Women Take Better Care Of Their Oral Health!

As you might expect, a helpful remedy in many instances is to simply maintain good dental health habits! Fortunately, women are better at this than men! A recent study of over 800 young men and women shows:

  • Women are more consistent when it comes to regular checkups
  • Women exhibit better attitudes toward dentistry in general
  • Women have better personal dental habits

Questions? 

If you are a woman and you have questions about your oral health, please visit us at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California. Call us at 925-757-9000 to schedule your complimentary exam. Visit us at www.clubbraces.com. If we don’t have the answer, we’ll go out of our way to point you in the best direction to find the answer! There are lots of easy ways to connect with us — and we promise to be very responsive! You can make a comment below, or even connect with us on our Facebook page.

Women need to take time to care for themselves and their oral health. Your smile is our inspiration.

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Is Chilly Weather Hurting Your Teeth?

January 11th, 2019

WE MAY FEEL the dropping temperature in our toes, but we shouldn’t be feeling it in our teeth! Some of us experience a shock of pain as we breathe in the crisp air or sip some hot chocolate. Tooth sensitivity tends to manifest in temperature extremes, so we notice it more during the winter season.

Sensitivity Is A Cry For Help

Tooth sensitivity is fairly common, but that’s no reason to ignore it! Tooth sensitivity could be your mouth’s signal that something is wrong — you may need to see a periodontist or an endodontist. For the most part, solutions are simple. And, as with most dental problems, sensitivity is best dealt with early on. In some cases, tooth sensitivity can be reduced by using a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth such as Sensodyne. This is available in your local grocery store or drug store.

Some Causes of Sensitivity Can Lead To More Severe Problems

Healthy teeth are guarded from extreme temperatures by the tooth’s enamel layer and by the gums. Sensitive teeth may signal receding gums as a result of gum disease or over-brushing. Sensitivity could also be caused by damaged enamel from a cracked tooth, acid erosion, decay, or demineralization due to improper oral health care while wearing braces.

We Can Help You Find A Solution

Whatever the cause of your sensitive teeth this season, it’s important to get it checked out by an orthodontic professional. We can help you determine the cause, and find a solution. It may be a simple change in your dental care regime. Other times, a dental procedure can relieve your discomfort.

No One Should Suffer From Tooth Pain

We believe that no one should suffer from dental problems without hope of a solution. Please talk to us if you ever have questions about your dental and orthodontic health. We consider it an honor to be your trusted health partner, and to keep your teeth healthy for life.

If you have questions about sensitive teeth, please visit us at www.clubbraces.com. Find us at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California. Call us for a complimentary orthodontic exam.

Let us help you with your teeth in any weather. Your smile is our inspiration.

Top image by Flickr user Jason Ippolito used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

You’re On Our List For A Beautiful Smile

December 20th, 2018

WE VALUE EVERY FUTURE patient who comes to Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California for a complimentary orthodontic exam. Once you’re on our list, you are never forgotten.

If you’re on our list, you’ll be happy to know that unlike Santa, we’re checking it more than twice! You will be receiving personal phone calls and other communication from our office to check in and see how you are doing and how you are feeling about getting started on your beautiful smile.

It’s Never Too Late For A Beautiful Smile!

Recently, Dr. Gorczyca reconnected with an initial exam patient who came for his orthodontic exam nine years ago and finally started Invisalign treatment!

We understand that it takes some people longer than others to make the important decision to start orthodontic treatment. That’s why we stay in touch and continue to give you attention, encouragement, and information regarding the process of orthodontic care.

One thing’s for sure: once you make that life-changing decision to straighten your teeth, align your bite, and improve your facial profile, you will not regret it!

Smiles Change Lives

We at Gorczyca Orthodontics continue to be inspired every day by the transformations that we see and the happiness and confidence that a new smile brings to our patients’ lives. We are honored to be part of your new smile journey.

We hope that you will consider giving yourself the gift of a beautiful smile this Christmas or in the year ahead. Call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California at (925) 757-9000 if you have questions about braces, Invisalign, retainers, or your smile. Find us at www.clubbraces.com.

Santa can’t give you a beautiful smile for Christmas, but we can! If you have procrastinated regarding your orthodontic care, we hope that you will start it soon. Happy Holidays from all of us at Gorczyca Orthodontics.

Your smile is our inspiration.

Top image by Flickr user Keith Allison used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth

November 26th, 2018

SOMETIMES UPPER FRONT TEETH don’t come in on time. If more than one year passes since the expected time of arrival of an upper front tooth, usually at age 7, and the front tooth is still delayed, it’s time to take action and visit an orthodontist.

There Are Many Possible Causes...

There are many possible causes of delayed permanent front teeth.

1. A baby tooth may be lost too early due to a cavity or an accident. When this happens, bone and tissue fills the tooth path and the permanent tooth may not be able to push its way out.

2. A baby tooth can be maintained too long. A baby not loose and firmly in place too long may not allow a permanent tooth to come in or may cause the permanent tooth to come in out of place.

3. An extra front tooth in the middle of both front teeth can prevent these front teeth from coming in. This extra middle tooth is called a mesiodens. Sometimes this tooth comes into the roof of the mouth or it may stay stuck in the bone.

4. Front teeth may be deformed, turned sideways, or even upside down. This situation will require a surgical procedure and attachment of a metal chain to pull the tooth into position with braces.

Get An Orthodontic Evaluation By Age 7!

In all of these situations, orthodontic space preparation is important. In some cases, a surgical incision may be all that is necessary to release a front tooth and allow it to come into position.

The esthetic and social consequences of a missing front tooth for a child are significant. This is why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7.

So please bring your child to Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California for a complimentary consultation if you hear them say All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.”

5 Simple Steps To Harnessing The Power Of Your Smile

November 6th, 2018


YOUR SMILE IS AMONG your most influential assets! But that doesn’t mean you have to have a perfect “movie star” smile for you to harness its power. Whether you are thinking about orthodontic treatment, just finished with it, or currently wearing braces, think about how powerful your smile is right now!

Step 1: Practice, Practice, Practice

Life’s too short to skip the simple things that make you happy. Smile more. Smile and laugh, proudly. Abundantly. Don’t ever hide your smile because you’re self-conscious about braces! Invite people to share in the things that make you smile. Your smiles will foster gratitude. Smiling can become a habit. Seek the opportunity.

Step 2: Be Aware Of The Smile/Emotion Connection

Author and poet, Thích Nhất Hạnh once said, “Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” We often only think about the way positive emotions trigger smiles, but it works the other way too. Smiles trigger positive emotions. They can even help us better deal with stress or pain.

Step 3: Eliminate The “Courtesy” Smile

Make a conscious decision to replace every half-hearted smile given in politeness with a genuine smile. You can do it!

Step 4: Remember How Attractive Your Smile Makes You

A recent study of 5,000+ singles found that both men (58 percent) and women (71 percent) judge the opposite sex MOST (and FIRST) on the appearance of their teeth. Smiles invite and strengthen relationships.

Step 5: Keep Your Smile Healthy

Treat your smile with the love it deserves. You’ve already taken a great step with orthodontic treatment. Remember to brush and floss daily, and schedule regular checkups with your dentist.

We Love Your Smiles

Some estimates say that 30 percent of the general population is unhappy with their smiles to a point where they avoid smiling. That’s sad. If you feel that way, let’s visit. We can help you harness the power of YOUR smile. Thanks for being our valued patients and friends.

Call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics 925-757-9000 in Antioch, California if you would like go improve your beautiful smile by straightening your teeth and improving your bite. Visit us at www.clubbraces.com for a complimentary orthodontic exam.

Thank you for choosing Gorczyca Orthodontics. Your smile is our inspiration.

Top image by Flickr user Wrapped Up used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Like Gorczyca Orthodontics On Facebook

October 24th, 2018


DENTAL PRACTICE SOCIAL MEDIA is here to stay, and for us at Gorczyca Orthodontics, it all started with Facebook. Since our Gorczyca Orthodontics Business Facebook started over ten years ago, it has been all about YOU, our valued patient!

Our Facebook Page

Find your favorite Gorczyca Orthodontics photo of you, your family, friends, or members of the greater Antioch, California community on our Gorczyca Orthodontics Facebook page.

Other things you will find on our Gorczyca Orthodontics Business Facebook include:

1. Our Gorczyca Orthodontics Blog

Our Gorczyca Orthodontics Blog provides concise bits of information about our practice, team members, dental health, and facts and tips that will help you on your orthodontic journey. We hope that you find this content interesting.

2. Offers and Invitations

Our Gorczyca Orthodontics Facebook page will list special practice days and offers and include contest, events, and offers related to braces, Invisalign, retainers, and teeth whitening. Patient appreciation events will also be listed.

3. Our Practice Culture

The coolest thing about connecting with us on our Gorczyca Orthodontics Facebook page is that through its honest, transparent, and spontaneous communication, you will get to know us better!

4. A Reliable Form of Communication

You can always contact Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca here or on her personal Facebook page, and you will receive almost an immediate reply. Social media is a great way to get in touch with your doctor! Social media and the iPhone have replaced the pager!

Add Us On Facebook Today!

So, take a moment to be our Gorczyca Orthodontics business Facebook friend. Thank you also for your 5 star reviews. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon, in person, at Gorczyca Orthodontics at 5201 Deer Valley Road in Antioch, California. Call us at 925-757-9000.

Thank you for being our Facebook friend.

Your smile is our inspiration!

Choosing Your Halloween Color Ties

October 10th, 2018

IT’S THAT TIME OF year again. October is the season of decorations and surprises as children pick out their costumes and look forward to trick or treating on Halloween.

Are Halloween Color Ties A Good Idea?

It’s also the season of orange and black braces color ties in orthodontic offices worldwide. You can be sure that orthodontists everywhere are restocking their supply of these two colors for the Halloween season and the increased demand for orange and black elastics. But could you regret choosing these festive colors for your teeth and braces after the Halloween season?

Choose Your Braces Tie Colors With Care

Remember, you may be wearing your Halloween color ties for up to eight weeks. So, if you have a school dance in November and you’re planning to wear blue, you may want to rethink your braces color tie selection for the future and plan ahead.

Orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca of Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California states that if you want a braces color tie that will always look great, choose the color pearl. “Pearl is a shimmering white braces color tie that blends in well with tooth color and rarely stains. It always looks good, no matter what you wear.”

We Look Forward To Seeing You Again!

At Gorczyca Orthodontics, no matter who you are or what your fashion situation is on Halloween or afterwards, we are available Monday through Friday to change your braces color ties in case of need or emergency.

We want all of our patients to be happy. And we certainly don’t want your Halloween color tie selection to be your biggest life regret! THAT’S SCARY!

Happy Halloween from all of us at Gorczyca Orthodontics.

Gorczyca Orthodontics, 5201 Deer Valley Road, Suite 1A, Antioch, CA 925-757-9000.

Is It Time For A New Toothbrush?

September 28th, 2018

SHAKESPEARE WROTE, “Parting is such sweet sorrow...” But from everyone here at our practice, we can assure you that the sorrow ends the second you start brushing with a new toothbrush.

Take A Look At Your Toothbrush

Your orthodontic work can be especially hard on your toothbrush. Are the bristles starting to look bent, worn, or frayed? Or, are the bristles starting to look like they’re parallel to your teeth instead of perpendicular? If so, it’s time for a new toothbrush. Has somebody else used your toothbrush (gross)? If so, they’ve contaminated it with the bacteria in their mouth — and if you use it, you’ll expose yourself to any disease or sickness they may have. Again, it’s time for a new toothbrush.

The American Dental Association recommends that you replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. Old toothbrushes lose their structural ability to thoroughly clean, and fraying bristles don’t clean well between your teeth or under and around your braces. And as you know, that’s really important during your orthodontic treatment period. Fraying bristles can also be hard on your gums and can even cause damage to them.

Are You Storing Your Toothbrush Correctly?

  • Store it upright and keep it out of contact with the bathroom counter.
  • Keep it out of contact with other people’s toothbrushes.
  • Keep it far away from the toilet splash zone (gross, again).
  • Make sure it dries between uses. Toothbrush covers are handy for travel, but at home your toothbrush needs to air dry.

When you get a new toothbrush, keep these tips in mind:

  • Get the size that fits in your mouth comfortably and reaches everywhere.
  • Hard bristles can wear enamel unnecessarily. Soft bristles are usually better.
  • The brand is not as important as your commitment to brushing correctly and regularly. If you have questions about how to do that, visit with our team.

Keep Up Great Oral Hygiene Habits During Your Orthodontic Treatment!

It’s absolutely worth it! And don’t miss your regular checkups. If you ever have any questions about toothbrushes or any other orthodontic or oral health topic, ask us, leave a comment below and we’ll quickly respond, or send us a message on our Facebook page!

Thanks, as always, for your continued trust and friendship. 

American Gothic, American Dentist

September 24th, 2018

IT’S ONE OF THE most familiar images of the 20th century and one of the most famous paintings in the American art world. But did you know that the man depicted in Grant Wood’s iconic 1930 painting “American Gothic” is actually American dentist Byron Henry McKeeby?

Who Was Byron McKeeby?

Dr. Byron Henry McKeeby was born in 1867 in Birchardville, Pennsylvania in Susquehanna County. He studied dentistry at the University of Iowa. He then stayed in Iowa to open his dental practice in the town of Winthrop. He moved to practice dentistry Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1901.

It was in Cedar Rapids that one of Dr. McKeeby's dental patients, Grant Wood, approached the dentist to ask him to model in his painting.

Artist Grant Wood had found a small white wood painted house of Carpenter Gothic style, the Dibble House, which he wished to paint with “the kind of people I fancied would live in that house.” Dr. McKeeby was one of these people, along with the artist’s sister, Nan.

Dr. McKeeby held a pitchfork while the artist’s sister wore a colonial print apron to add a touch of 19th century Americana. Since Dr. McKeeby was 62 and Nan was 32, it is implied that Nan is the farmer’s daughter.

Wood entered the painting in a contest at the Art Institute of Chicago, for which he won a $300 prize. The Art Institute of Chicago later bought the painting, making Dr. McKeeby’s face one of the most recognized in the art world. The painting still hangs there today.

American Gothic, American Dentist.

-Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca
Orthodontist, Gorczyca Orthodontics
Antioch, California

Thanks For Your Reviews And For Sharing Our Orthodontic Practice!

September 21st, 2018

HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME our patient? Most of our patients find us through referrals from trusted friends, extended family members, neighbors, and coworkers. When it comes to something as important as orthodontic treatment, honest personal endorsements are usually the best guide.

Thanks So Much For Your Referrals

You know what’s really cool when a new patient comes to our office based on a referral? We know that referral originated from one of YOU — a valued patient we’re connected to and already serving. It’s the ultimate compliment for us and it makes US smile.

During the early days of the internet, people searched online for an orthodontist by typing in their city name and the word “orthodontist.” But times have changed. Today, people look to trusted, permission-based social networks like Facebook and others to ask for their families’ and friends’ recommendations. That’s one of the reasons why we love social media so much... It makes it easy for our patients to share. Then, social media makes it easy for those potential new patients to really get to know us — even before they walk through our door for the first time.

Thanks For Your Reviews Too

Life is super busy. We understand, and we know we’re asking a lot. But when you DO have a minute, it’s always greatly appreciated. Our review page is a great place to share your impressions. And you can always go to our Facebook page to leave a comment, a recommendation, or to direct message us. You could also leave us a review on Yelp!

So, what brought YOU to our practice for the first time?

We’d love to hear! And ANYTIME we can do something to help make your visits even better, please let us know. Your feedback helps us continually improve and give the best service possible to our patients.

Once you become a patient at Gorczyca Orthodontics, we consider you a patient for life. Thank you for joining our Gorczyca Orthodontics family. We look forward to seeing you again soon at Gorczyca Orthodontics. Your smile is our inspiration.

Thanks,

Dr. Gorczyca

Back To School, Back To The Orthodontist

September 19th, 2018

IT’S PART OF GROWING UP: back to school, losing baby teeth, back to the orthodontist. From age 7 to age 18, your orthodontist will be an important part of your childhood.

What To Expect At Your Back-To-School Visit

Here are things you can expect at your back-to-school orthodontic visit:

  1. The question “What could we do to get you to love your teeth?”
  2. Review of dental and medical history and oral habits
  3. Evaluation of baby teeth and eruption of permanent teeth
  4. A panoramic X-ray
  5. Evaluation of oral health habits including brushing, plaque, and gingivitis
  6. Examination of jaw function
  7. Discussion of facial appearance
  8. An in-depth functional look at your bite
  9. Discussion about dental crowding, spacing, and rotations
  10. Careful evaluation of your gums and smile
  11. Evaluation of tooth shape
  12. Referral to an excellent general or pediatric dentist if you need one
  13. Proposed diagnosis and orthodontic treatment plan
  14. Customized payment plan
  15. Scheduling of your orthodontic records appointment

What’s The Next Step?

Your orthodontist will either see you periodically to evaluate your growth or start orthodontic treatment with orthodontic records. These include:

  1. Orthodontic study models
  2. Lateral cephalometric X-ray and panoramic X-ray
  3. Orthodontic photos

After orthodontic records, your orthodontic treatment will be started. The sooner you start, the sooner you finish!

Keep Your Beautiful Smile For A Lifetime!

This case was treated by Board Certified Orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca of Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California. Call us at (925) 757-9000 or visit us at www.clubbraces.com. To find an orthodontist in your area, visit the American Association of Orthodontists at www.mylifemysmile.com.

Start the school year right! Here’s to your beautiful smile.

Jolene Celebrates 20 Years at Gorczyca Orthodontics

July 17th, 2018


TIME FLIES WHEN you're having fun. It’s hard to believe that Jolene has already spent 20 years with us at Gorczyca Orthodontics.

A Pillar Of Our Practice

It seems like just yesterday we were interviewing Jolene in our first office back on Lone Tree Way, Antioch, California. Jolene has been a backbone of Gorczyca Orthodontics for 20 years. Jolene is also a 38-year RDA veteran, having worked in pediatric dentistry before coming to orthodontics full-time.

Jolene’s excellence and experience as well as her outstanding customer service and love of her patients has made her a valuable asset to Gorczyca Orthodontics. We are thankful to Jolene for her loyalty and professionalism.
We appreciate all that she does.

Over the past 20 years, Jolene has personally trained more than 38 dental assistants who have gone on to become registered dental assistants (RDAs) in orthodontic practices all over Northern California. For her excellence and commitment to continuing education, Jolene was placed on the advisory board of Diablo Valley College, the college she once attended.

Dr. Gorczyca says “It has been a privilege to work with Jolene all of these years. Jolene is both humble and confident. She has been my right hand person for many years. She is loved by all of her patients. She is always the first to help me, a patient, or another dental assistant. She truly loves what she does, and it shows. She continues to grow and advance in her profession. She always does the right thing at Gorcyzca Orthodontics and she always follows through on every task which she undertakes. She is a true leader. We have been so fortunate to have Jolene with us 20 years at Gorczyca Orthodontics.”

Looking Forward To More Years Together!

Jolene has no intention of retiring. Neither does Dr. Gorczyca. Both plan to keep on creating beautiful smiles for as long as they can.

Thank you Jolene for all you have done for your patients and for all of us at Gorczyca Orthodontics. You are the best person we ever could ever have had for our organization. We are all so fortunate to be able to work with you for 20 years.

Gorczyca Orthodontics, 5201 Deer Valley Road, Suite 1A, Antioch, California 925-757-9000 www.clubbraces.com

Orthodontic Staff Appreciation Week at Gorczyca Orthodontics

June 8th, 2018

IN RECOGNITION OF ALL you do, thanks to the team at Gorczyca Orthodontics in celebration of Orthodontic Staff Appreciation Week!

Together, you make it possible for us to deliver the life-changing orthodontic treatment we give to our patients. You are a team of caring professionals working together to serve valued patients. You have worked with thousands of patients, giving them the smiles of their dreams. Your contributions deserve thanks and recognition.

Our Great Team

So whether it’s Jolene celebrating her 20 year anniversary at Gorczyca Orthodontics, Veronica checking insurance for an new exam, Katie taking initial records, Gwen placing braces, or Roberta preparing a financial contract, all of you are important to our team and your contributions count. Dr. Gorczyca and our patients appreciate all that you do for them and we are thankful for our time together!

We are blessed to be able to work in the profession of orthodontics. We work together to deliver orthodontic clinical excellence and outstanding customer service so that our patients can have a great orthodontic experience. Smiles change lives and you have changed a lot of lives. Over 10,000 in fact! Smiles truly are your inspiration!

Thanks For All You Do

So here’s to celebrating you! Way to go! Great job! Brava! Thanks for your devotion and for being the team at Gorczyca Orthodontics.

Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca, Gorczyca Orthodontics, Antioch, CA 925-757-9000. www.clubbraces.com

The Different Types Of Teeth

April 6th, 2018

YOU’VE PROBABLY NOTICED that your teeth aren’t all the same shape, but do you know the reason? Humans have four different types of teeth, and they each serve specific purposes, both in helping us chew and in giving us our beautiful smiles!

Types Of Teeth And What They Do

The reason we need so many different types of teeth is that we are omnivores, which means we eat both plants and meat. We need teeth that can handle all of our favorite foods!

Incisors

The top four and bottom four front teeth are the incisors. The middle ones are central incisors, while the ones on the sides are lateral incisors. Incisors are built for slicing. When we take a bite out of an apple, for instance, our incisors shear off a tasty chunk of fruit, but they aren’t the teeth we actually chew with.

Canines

Next to the lateral incisors are our canines or cuspids, which are the sharpest and longest teeth in our mouths. This enables them to grip and tear food, particularly meat. Unlike incisors, we only have four canines. Their long roots and their position at the “corners” of our dental arches also make them some of the most important teeth in our smiles, because they provide much of the shape. Another name for canine teeth is eyeteeth. That might seem weird, but it’s because these teeth are directly beneath our eyes!

Premolars

After the canines, we have our premolars, also called bicuspids because they each have two cusps. You can think of premolars as hybrids between canines and molars. They have sharp outer edges, but they also have flat chewing surfaces, which means they can help the canines with tearing food and the molars with grinding it up. We don’t have any premolars as children; our eight adult premolars are actually the teeth that replace our baby molars!

Molars

Finally, we have the molars. Molars are our biggest teeth, with multiple roots and large, flat chewing surfaces. We have eight baby molars and up to twelve adult molars, depending on whether or not we have and keep our wisdom teeth. Molars are the teeth that do most of the chewing, because those flat surfaces are perfect for grinding and crushing food until it’s ready to be swallowed.

What About Herbivores And Carnivores?

Our teeth are the way they are because we’re omnivores. Herbivores (plant-eaters) and carnivores (meat-eaters) have very different teeth. Herbivores typically have chisel-like incisors and large, flat premolars and molars for chewing plants, while their canines are small, if they have them at all. Carnivores tend to have much bigger canine teeth than we do, but their incisors are much smaller, and while they still have premolars and molars, they are often serrated like knives, built for shredding rather than grinding.

Let’s Straighten Up That Smile!

What do all four types of your teeth have in common? They do their jobs best when they’re properly aligned! If you haven’t come in for an initial consultation with us yet, set one up today! If you already have braces, keep following your instructions so that you can finish on time! And no matter what, help your teeth stay healthy by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and scheduling your regular dental cleanings! Visit us at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California for a free orthodontic exam. Call us at (925) 757-9000.

Your smile is our inspiration.

Top image by Flickr user _zhang used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

What Is An Impacted Tooth?

April 4th, 2018

FOR MOST PEOPLE, baby teeth become loose and adult teeth erupt in their place. For many, those adult teeth don’t come in entirely straight, so orthodontic treatment is necessary to shift them into the ideal position. For some, one or more of these teeth never emerge on their own, even though they developed in the jaw bone. These are impacted teeth.

Why Does Tooth Impaction Happen?

Tooth impaction is often the result of a crowding problem. If the new tooth doesn’t have room to come in, it may remain stuck beneath the gums. A full impaction is when the tooth fails to erupt at all, whereas a partial impaction is when the tooth breaches the gumline but doesn’t grow in completely.

Teeth Lost In The Gums

The most common teeth to become impacted are wisdom teeth. They might be impacted because there isn’t room for them in the jaw, they may be crooked, or they could even be completely sideways, threatening the roots of second molars. Another tooth commonly impacted is the upper maxillary canine, and lower mandibular canines and upper and lower premolars can be impacted as well.

Research shows that if there’s a history of impacted upper canines in your family, you are more likely to have them as well. Most often, only one canine will be impacted, but sometimes both are. Why the upper canines? Normally, they come in after the incisors and the premolars. When those don’t leave enough room between them, the canines have nowhere to go.

Symptoms And Complications Of Impacted Teeth

Some people with an impacted tooth show no symptoms except that the tooth doesn’t erupt. If it’s a canine, the baby tooth may not even loosen on its own! But even without symptoms, canine teeth are critical to a great smile because they provide essential structure and support. They also take on much of the chewing pressure thanks to their longer roots, which protects the surrounding teeth.

Impacted teeth often cause complications and symptoms besides a lopsided smile. Impacted teeth can push into neighboring teeth beneath the gums and cause cavities, infections, gum disease, or nerve damage. Symptoms might include bad breath, pain, tenderness around the jawline, a prolonged headache or jaw ache, swollen gums, swollen lymph nodes, bad taste in mouth, and visible gaps.

Treatment: A Place For Every Tooth

Impaction of a tooth usually can’t be prevented, but the tooth can be removed (in the case of wisdom teeth) or moved into its proper position (in the case of canines) with oral surgery and orthodontic treatment. An impacted tooth is usually discovered through dental x-rays, and then the orthodontist can determine the best course of action to take.

Help Us Help You

If you think you may have an impacted tooth, visit us at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California for a free orthodontic exam. We’re always here to help and to treat your impacted tooth.

Your smile is our inspiration!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Is It Possible To Over-Brush While You Have Braces?

March 23rd, 2018

HAVE YOU EVER had a sip of ice water and experienced a sudden, sharp pain in your teeth? You’re not alone. One in eight people experiences tooth sensitivity—the kind of sensitivity that isn’t due to a problem such as a cavity, and has nothing to do with braces. So what’s causing it? Surprisingly, one of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity is brushing with too much force.

While you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, it’s more important than ever to brush! However, don’t interpret that as a recommendation to brush more aggressively. There’s a better way to be effective.

How Could Brushing Hurt?

Over-brushing is problematic because it wears down the protective layers of your tooth enamel. It can also push back your gums, exposing the dentin layer under the enamel even more. This dentin layer has microscopic tubes or canals that lead to your tooth’s nerves. If these tubes are exposed to hot, cold, or even acidic foods it can lead to discomfort and tooth sensitivity.

Brushing too hard, especially at the corners of your dental arch, with a back and forth “saw action” may lead to gingival recession (gum recession, or receding gum height) especially over the canine tooth roots. This is one dental health problem we would like to avoid.

Tips For Better Brushing:

  • Watch which direction bristles face when you brush. They should be perpendicular, not parallel.
  • Hold your toothbrush loosely, like a pencil.
  • Use soft, round motions to brush. Don’t saw back and forth.
  • Use soft or extra-soft bristled brushes. Brush softly! Apply just enough pressure to feel the bristles against your gums.
  • Braces may be hard on your toothbrush—replace it when you notice frayed and bent bristles.

Put In The Time

When it comes to cleaning teeth, elbow grease doesn’t do the trick. Consider this mantra: brush smarter, not harder. When regularly brushing, the plaque you’re trying to get rid of is fairly soft and can easily be brushed away with a soft brush.

During the two minutes you’re brushing it’s good to be thorough, but there’s no need to scrub the same areas over and over again.

Questions?

Are you experiencing tooth sensitivity? Over-brushing isn’t the only possible cause. Some orthodontic patients may have exposed roots due to shifting teeth, not over brushing. If you are experiencing discomfort, ask us about it at your next appointment.

You can also leave a question below, or you can ask a private question on our Facebook page.

If you have questions about healthy tooth brushing, crooked teeth, or gum health, please visit us at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California for a free orthodontic exam. Call us at 925-757-9000. Find out more about Gorczyca Orthodontics at www.clubbraces.com.

We look forward to you. Your smile is our inspiration.

Brushing At Work Is Good For Your Oral Health And Your Job

March 20th, 2018

AFTER FINISHING LUNCH AT WORK, DO YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH? A survey reveals that despite knowing that a healthy, attractive smile affects both personal wellness and professional image, very few people are brushing at the office.

The survey, carried out by The Academy of General Dentistry and Oral-B Laboratories, polled more than 1,000 full-time employees about their oral care habits and the importance of a healthy smile at work. Their findings were very interesting.

The Importance Of A Healthy Smile At Work

  • 96% of respondents thought a smile was very or somewhat important to a person’s appearance.
  • 40% ranked “smile” as the first thing they noticed about a person at work.
  • 32% cited “bad breath” as their co-workers’ least attractive trait.

Office Eating And Brushing Stats

  • 3/4 of respondents ate twice or more a day at work.
  • Only 14% brushed their teeth!

Changing When You Brush

The sugars and starches in the food you eat can cause an “acid attack” on tooth enamel. Even after the visible evidence of food disappears, plaque bacteria continues to grow. If you don’t brush, those workday meals, snacks, and beverages stay on your teeth and can increase the likelihood of tooth decay and gum disease. So brush! Let’s adjust the when of brushing just a bit, to your advantage: brush your teeth after breakfast, after meals at work, and before you go to bed.

Helpful Tips For Brushing At Work

  • Leave a toothbrush at work and increase your likelihood of brushing by 65%!
  • Step it up at home—the better you brush at home, the better you’ll brush at work.
  • Take extra care to clean braces after (and store retainers while) you eat.

Suggestions?

If you already brush your teeth regularly at work, do you have any suggestions to help the rest of us, who may not be as valiant? Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook page.

If you would benefit from a new toothbrush to bring with you to work, ask us at Gorczyca Orthodontics about our easy travel oral hygiene kit. Your oral hygiene and dental health is our top priority. It is important to brush after lunch, especially if you have braces, Invisalign, or retainers.

Stay healthy, happy, and brush after lunch.

See you soon at Gorczyca Orthodontics, in Antioch, California. Your smile is our inspiration.

A Warm THANKS For Your Kind Referrals

March 16th, 2018

IT ISN’T VERY OFTEN that we get a chance to extend a big virtual hug to you, our valued patents and friends, for the trust and confidence you demonstrate in us each time you recommend our practice to your extended family members, neighbors, friends, and coworkers.

Thank you. And thank you again.

The new patients who discover our practice through their own trusted relationships (you!), and their circles of influence tend to become our very best new patients. Whether you’re fairly new to our practice yourself or a long time patient, we hope you already know how much we love what we do and how much we appreciate you. We hope you sense that every time you visit us. If there is ever anything we can do to make your visits even more pleasant and comfortable, please never hesitate to ask.

We Invite You To Share

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below and we will respond quickly. Also, by clicking on the Facebook link to your right, you can send us a direct message on Facebook any time. We appreciate your 5 star reviews on Yelp and Google.  We also enjoy learning your suggestions for our practice.  Please take a moment to fill out the customer service survey at our front desk.

The highest compliment Gorczyca Orthodontics can receive is your referral of a family member, neighbor, coworker, or friend. Thank you for choosing Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California for your braces, Invisalign, and retainers.

Your smile is our inspiration.

Spinach Teeth: Why Teeth Go Green

March 8th, 2018

WE’VE ALL SEEN IT: that little piece of spinach that gets stuck between the upper front tooth and lateral incisor. Real friends tell friends when they have spinach teeth. Here’s why it happens and what we can do to prevent it.

Spinach contains oxalic acid. This substance, when combined with saliva, produces calcium oxalate crystals that stick to your teeth.

Make Sure You Have The Right Tools

To prevent spinach teeth, drink water vigorously to flush away spinach after eating. If necessary, floss your teeth after eating spinach. If you are a spinach lover, you may want to carry floss in your purse or pocket to avoid that spinach tooth moment, especially if you are on a date or at an important dinner event.

Avoid picking at spinach teeth with a toothpick in public. This can damage your gums and can be impolite. Excuse yourself from the dinner table and visit the rest room to use floss to remove spinach. This is safer, more effective, healthier, and better etiquette.

Overcrowding Helps Spinach Stick

Straightening your front teeth will also help you avoid spinach teeth.

Eliminating crooked front teeth will give spinach fewer nooks and crannies in the dental arch in which it can get stuck. Straight teeth can be accomplished quickly by an orthodontist using either braces, Invisalign, aligners, or spring clip aligners (Inman retainer).

Gorczyca Orthodontics Can Help!

If you have questions about how to avoid spinach teeth with orthodontic treatment, visit us at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California for a free orthodontic exam. Call us at (925) 757-9000 or find us at www.clubbraces.com.

There’s no reason for your teeth to go green. Let us help you avoid spinach teeth.

Your smile is our inspiration.

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

Kissing Pros And Cons (Including Stuck Braces)

February 16th, 2018

IS A KISS RISKY WITH BRACES? You’ll have to answer that question on your own! Once in a while we’ll hear a story about braces getting stuck when two people with braces were smooching. But there’s a more-often-talked-about concern about kissing that our practice would like to briefly address below.

Bacteria Can Lead To Increased Plaque Which Can Lead To Tooth Decay

We know it’s not pleasant to think about, but it’s true — your mouth is full of bacteria. Some of it is good and some of it isn’t. For the most part, your body (and your mouth, specifically) does a pretty good job of keeping bacteria, germs, and viruses that make their way into your mouth in check. But increased bacteria can also lead to increased plaque. Maintaining great oral hygiene habits is the very best way you can help your mouth do its job.

Kissing (with or without braces) Introduces Your Mouth To Someone Else’s Bacteria And Viruses

Now there’s no need to make this a huge cause for worry. Our team just wants to be sure that you know about the most common viruses and diseases that you could be sharing with a smooch:

  • Cold Sores. Cold sores are a manifestation of a herpes virus. Even when there are no signs, it can be contagious.
  • Colds And Flus. Lots of viruses are included under the blanket “common cold” term. Colds happen, but you can decrease the spread by avoiding kissing while you’re sick.
  • Mononucleosis. Also known as mono, glandular fever, or the kissing disease, this is caused by a viral infection that is easily spread by saliva and can knock you out for weeks.

Yes, There Are Lots Of Kissing Positives Too

We’re not condemning kissing! Think about the benefits! Kissing increases saliva flow, which is great for your teeth and overall oral health. And of course, an affectionate peck can make you happier and strengthen relationships, which leads to better overall health and wellbeing. So don’t put the brakes on a great relationship just because you’re worried about germs! Just be smart, make sure that you maintain great oral hygiene, and that you always know who’s on the other end of that kiss.

Any Questions About All This?

We love answering your questions about ANY orthodontic or oral-health related matter. It gives us a chance to know you better.  Give us a call, leave a comment below, or send us a direct message on our Facebook page. We’re always happy to discuss things with you!

Give us a call at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California (925) 757-9000.

Thanks again for the trust you place in us! We value your friendship!

Orthodontic Treatment And Groundhog Day

February 1st, 2018


WE ALL KNOW the popular Bill Murray movie “Groundhog Day,” where Phil Connors wakes up in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and every day is February 2nd. He’s stuck reliving Groundhog Day and there is nothing he can do about it!

Don’t get stuck in perpetual orthodontic treatment by not wearing your rubber bands! Breaking your orthodontic brackets over and over again makes each appointment a repair! This slows your orthodontic progress and makes you relive Braces Day over and over again!

We’ll Take Care Of Those Teeth

At Gorczyca Orthodontics, we are committed to moving your orthodontic treatment forward as quickly as possible. We closely monitor orthodontic elastic wear, motivate you, and get you in for emergency rebond appointments for broken brackets on quick notice.

We want your orthodontic treatment to proceed quickly so that your braces will be off and you can spend your time eating whatever you would like and enjoying fun activities. We closely monitor your orthodontic progress and keep you informed so that you can move forward each day towards the end of your orthodontic treatment and receive the smile of your dreams as quickly as possible.

Call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics 925-757-9000 if you have questions about the length or stages of orthodontic treatment. Find us at www.clubbraces.com or visit us at 5201 Deer Valley Road, Suite 1A in Antioch for a free orthodontic evaluation.

We’ll make sure that your orthodontic treatment does not feel like Groundhog Day!

See you soon at Gorczyca Orthodontics.

Top image by Flickr user Anthony Quintano used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

During Orthodontic Treatment, Your Saliva Continues To Play A Big Role In Your Oral Health

January 30th, 2018

DURING YOUR ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT, you probably don’t think very often about your spit (and frankly, we’d be a little worried about you if you did). And yes, both baby drool and the occasional drooling you may experience from having braces are a nuisance!

But did you know that saliva is a critical component for healthy teeth and great oral health — regardless of your age? Here at our practice, we’re not only concerned with your orthodontic treatment, but also with your teeth and complete oral health. We thought you may find it interesting to learn how saliva helps keep your mouth protected and healthy, even when your teeth are partially covered by braces.

Four Reasons Your Saliva Is Awesome

  1. Your saliva slowly and continually builds your teeth into tiny fortresses. It carries minerals like calcium and phosphate ions which reinforce your enamel.
  2. Saliva is an important part of your immune system. It contains immunoproteins that police your mouth, fighting bacteria and coating teeth in a protective layer.
  3. It’s a lubricant. Thanks to saliva, your mouth and tongue are flexible. Talking and eating would be seriously difficult without it.
  4. Saliva keeps your mouth clean. It washes away food particles and rebalances the pH level in your mouth every time you eat.

Xerostomia (a.k.a. Dry Mouth) Can Be A Problem

Now that you understand how much your saliva does for you, you probably see what a problem it could be if it weren’t there. When your body isn’t producing enough saliva, it’s called dry mouth, or xerostomia (pronounced “zeer-uh-stoh-mee-uh”). It’s often caused by common medications like antihistamines or antidepressants. It can also be a side effect of dehydration or diseases like Parkinson’s and cystic fibrosis. Sometimes it’s simply a result of aging.

Here Are A Few Suggestions That May Help You

If you’re having trouble with xerostomia, ask us about it! We’ll be sure it’s not part of a bigger problem. In addition to the simple suggestions below, there may be other things our team can suggest that will help:

  • Rinse your mouth regularly with water.
  • Chew ortho-approved sugarless gum or suck on a sugarless candy to help stimulate saliva flow.
  • Avoid alcohol and tobacco, which can both be dry mouth contributing factors.

Remember that if you ever have questions, you can call us or send us a direct message on our Facebook page. Visit us at Gorczyca Orthodontics for a free orthodontic evaluation. Visit our website at www.clubbraces.com and call us at 925-757-9000 to schedule your appointment.

Your smile is our inspiration.

The Relationship Between Asthma And Cavities

January 9th, 2018

OUR TEAM WANTS TO MAKE SURE that you have healthy teeth for life. That means that whether you’re in braces or you’re finished with treatment, there are some things that you should know about your oral health — including the way that asthma can impact it.

Were you a little surprised by the headline of this blog post? If so, you’re not alone. Many people are unaware of the link between asthma and tooth decay.

What Does Asthma Have To Do With Cavities?

When drawing breath doesn’t come easily, most people compensate by breathing through their mouths. This leads to dry mouth. When there’s not enough saliva to protect and clean your teeth, you’re left more vulnerable to decay-causing bacteria. In addition, some people compound the problem by sipping on sugary drinks all day trying to quench the dryness!

As if that weren’t enough, asthma and allergy medications themselves can cause even more dryness on top of the mouth breathing. Not a good combination.

Some Evidence — But It’s Not Just About Kids

A Swedish study of children and young adults with similar backgrounds and habits evaluated the links between asthma and caries. In the group of asthma-free kids, only 7 out of 20 developed tooth decay. Within the group with asthma, however, 19 out of 20 kids developed tooth decay. Although the study above centered around kids with asthma, the risks also apply to adults.

What You Can Do About It

Asthma may not have a simple fix, but tooth decay does. First and foremost, stick faithfully to the basics. Brush especially carefully while you’re in braces — at least twice a day. Floss to clean the places in your mouth where brushing misses. Keep your scheduled cleaning and checkup appointments. Avoid foods and drinks that are most harmful to your teeth.

And specific to the issue of dry mouth, here are some tips for increased, healthy saliva flow:

  • Chew sugar-free gum.
  • Occasionally suck on sugar-free mints.
  • Drink plenty of water.

One More Special Note About Asthma

If you have asthma, please let our team know! The more we know about your health the better. It helps us advise and serve you better. If you have any questions about how asthma can impact your oral health, please ask us! We’re honored to be your resource.

If you have questions about your teeth, bite, or cavities, visit us at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California for a free orthodontic examination. Find us at www.clubbraces.com or call us at (925) 757-9000.

Thanks for being a fantastic part of our practice! We appreciate our relationship with you.

New Year, New You

January 5th, 2018


IT’S THE START of another new year. It’s a time of reflection, gratitude, and excitement about possibilities for the future.

It’s A Great Time To Start Orthodontic Treatment

A beautiful smile will produce confidence, radiance, and happiness in all you do and all who see your beautiful smile.

Beautiful, straight teeth will be easier to floss.

And a great bite will make eating, speaking, and chewing easy, as well as reduce the wear of your teeth.

Take The Orthodontic Tooth Plunge!

Don't hesitate! Be the best you you’d like to be this year. New year, new you. Schedule your orthodontic exam with an orthodontist today. Call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California for a free orthodontic examination and find out what orthodontics can do to improve your life.

Find us at 5201 Deer Valley Road in the Deer Valley Dental Professional Building behind Deer Valley High School.

Here’s to your beautiful smile!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas

December 8th, 2017

RECENTLY, MY ORTHODONTIC team members and I invited some referring lady dentist friends to join us in beginning our Christmas Holiday celebration together by attending the Ladies Holiday Dinner at the Holy Rosary Church in Antioch, California.

Being a busy orthodontist, wife, and mom, I have very little time to prepare for social events. In the final moments, I realized I needed to bring a door prize for our table. What could be better than a box of Opalescence GO by Ultradent for someone “Dreaming of a White Christmas?”

After The Beautiful Dinner...

After the beautiful dinner, which included being served by husbands and Christmas Carols sung by the Deer Valley High School Choir, the door prizes were given out. I visited the table of the happy Opalescence GO tooth whitening winner to introduce myself and explain how simple it is to whiten your teeth with Opalescence GO trays by Ultradent. Simply place the preloaded whitening trays over the upper and lower teeth. After 20 minutes, remove trays, wipe teeth, rinse. Repeat each day until you’ve achieved the desired degree of tooth whiteness.

All The Ladies Were Amazed!

All the ladies at the winners table were amazed! They all wanted Opalescence GO whitening trays by Ultradent, available at Gorczyca Orthodontics or your local dental office. It’s that easy to whiten your teeth. So go whiten your teeth with Opalescence GO by Ultradent.

Office Cleanliness is Everyone's Responsibility - Patti at Gorczyca Orthodontics

June 21st, 2017

“I HAVE A VERY important job at Gorczyca Orthodontics, Office Cleanliness Coordinator. This is an important aspect of dental assisting teamwork since no one should leave things in the office for someone else on the team to clean. Patients must never see an untidy office.”

Office Cleanliness Is Incredibly Important

“Having a special office clean-up day gives everyone in the office a chance to get organized, get caught up, and get cleaned up. Office cleanliness needs continuous time and attention.”

I Love Working In Our Office

“I love working in the orthodontic office and working in dentistry. Besides making the office sparkle, and assisting the doctor with orthodontic patients, my job duties also include sterilization, lab duties, and clear retainer and mouthguard fabrication.”

“Office preparedness is everyone's responsibility. Being the OCC at Gorczyca Orthodontics and working as an orthodontic dental assistant, and lab and maintenance coordinator is perfect for me!”

-Patti

Gorczyca Orthodontics, 5201 Deer Valley Road, Suite 1A, Antioch, CA www.clubbraces.com

Summer Music Camp is the Perfect Time for Invisalign Teen

June 24th, 2016

IT MAY HAVE BEEN your first time away from home. It may have been the first time you did your own laundry. For those who do it, summer music camp is something you will never forget.

Playing A Wind Instrument With Braces Can Be Uncomfortable

Playing a wind or brass instrument like flute or trumpet with braces for several hours per day at camp gave us all "hamburger lip." This was quite uncomfortable! Even though we would put wax on our braces 5 millimeters thick, we would still ended up with raw, wounded, and uncomfortable lips after playing a wind or brass instrument for several hours per day.

Today, the problem of "hamburger lip" is solved by orthodontic treatment with Invisalign Teen. A clear, smooth alternative to braces, Invisalign Teen aligners can be either worn or not worn while playing your wind or brass musical instrument at summer music camp making the experience comfortable and even more fun.

Additional benefits of Invisalign Teen include being able to eat what you want, having nothing break while you are away, and having nothing get lose and poke while you are playing your musical instrument. This makes life at summer music camp easy, letting you focus on your music, friends, activities, and fun.

We Can Help You With Your Invisalign

If you are a wind or brass player and planning to play a lot of music this summer, consider Invisalign Teen. Call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics (925) 757-9000 or visit us at www.clubbraces.com in Antioch, California.

To find an orthodontist near you, visit the American Association of Orthodontists at www.mylifemysmile.org.

Consider Invisalign Teen today. Your lips and your embouchure will thank you.

Top image by Flickr user H. Michael Miley used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
More Topics
diplomate american board of orthodontics Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists advanced education in orthdontics
member american association of orthodontists seattle study club american dental association california dental association
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