Dr. Gorczyca

WHEN UPPER AND LOWER DENTAL MIDLINES do not line up and the lower jaw moves to the side on closing, these are signs of a bite functional shift.

When The Upper Arch Is Too Small For The Lower...

When the upper arch is too narrow or too small for the lower jaw, the lower jaw is forced to move to the side when closing. The unwanted movement, called a functional shift, temporarily relieves discomfort by creating a maximum tooth biting surface for chewing. The unnecessary jaw movement can be eliminated by upper arch expansion and comprehensive orthodontic treatment.

The Imbalance Can Be Fixed

The upper jaw may also be too small for the face and the lower jaw. This is called maxillary deficiency. The backward position of the upper jaw can be corrected with Class III rubber bands, reverse pull headgear, or an upper jaw surgical advancement procedure.

This case was treated by board certified orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca of Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California.

If you have questions about midlines that don’t line up or a jaw functional shift, call us at 925-757-9000. Visit us at www.clubbraces.com.

Straight dental midlines are important. Eliminate your bite functional shift to get your smile into high gear.

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.

THE TEAM AT GORCZYCA ORTHODONTICS has been preparing for its Annual Advance, a one-day team day devoted to self-improvement and brainstorming about the wonderful year that lies ahead.

Knowing that each of us would be presenting our thoughts before the group, we needed to get prepared, and that included whitening our teeth with Opalescence GO Supreme by Ultradent.

Opalescence GO Can Help Your Smile Shine

Many small businesses, large corporations, and government agencies will be holding similar meetings at the start of the new year. Whether you will be presenting to a group or presenting to patients, when you present, you need to feel your best, look your best, and be your best. This can be accomplished by having straight white teeth.

Brightening Your Smile Can Take As Little As 20 Minutes

On the morning of your presentation, simply take 20 minutes to put in a whitening tray. This can be done in the shower, as you get dressed, or even as you drive in your car to the presentation.

Public speaking isn’t easy. It will take time, thought, and preparation. Whitening your teeth can be part of this preparation and is well worth the confidence and the smile it will give you. It’s easy to whiten your teeth. It’s easy with Opalescence GO by Ultradent.

Ask us about teeth whitening and teeth straightening at Gorczyca Orthodontics, Antioch, CA www.clubbraces.com (925) 757-9000.

Here’s to your beautiful smile!

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.

“WHEN I AM ASKED what I love most about my work, my answer is always the patients. They are what keeps me coming to work each day. I love calling each of them by name, and knowing each one of them individually, their likes and dislikes, their children, spouses, and their activities and vacations, are all of interest to me.”

I Love Going The Extra Mile For Our Patients

“I love going out of my way to do nice things for our patients. Whether it's sending a thank you note, decorating the office, calling to ask how they are, or scheduling an appointment for them in another dental or specialty office, it is always my pleasure to serve the patient and their family in any way that I can. I am thankful that I am able to do this at Gorczyca Orthodontics.”

“I also love training new dental assistants. Several of these young assistants have kept in touch with me when no they were longer at our office. Some of them even call me their second mother! I never planned that things would be this way but being part of dental education has been an important part of my life and career in dentistry. I presently serve on the board of the dental assisting department at the local college, which I attended for my own dental assistant training over 38 years ago!”

I Am At Your Service!

“This has been my personal journey of service to my patients, my teammates, Dr. Gorczyca, our community and the dental profession. It has been a fun trip and I am very thankful for my career in dentistry.”

-Jolene at Gorczyca Orthodontics

Find us at www.clubbraces.com or call us at (925) 757-9000.

YOU’RE IN A RUSH, AT THE airport, hosting a conference, giving presentations, and meeting with very important clients. All through your busy day, you, the business professional, need to look and feel your best. You want straight, white teeth. Your every word counts. Clients need to listen to you, not stare at your teeth.

Invisalign Is Perfect For Your Lifestyle

That’s why, for the professional on the go, Invisalign is the orthodontic treatment of choice. Invisalign is comfortable, clear, and removable. 3-D computer generated and high tech, these trays are precision generated for the fastest, most effective orthodontic treatment result possible. To further cut your treatment time in half, add Acceledent. With Invisalign, you can see your virtual treatment result from the start and even bleach your teeth while you wear your trays.

Call For A Free Consultation

There’s nothing to hold you back. It’s time for Invisalign.

Call Gorczyca Orthodontics at 925-757-9000 for a free consultation.

AT GORCZYCA ORTHODONTICS, we personally care about each and every one of our patients.

We Provide Personalized Care

We are not a huge chain. We have only one excellent doctor, six assistants and six treatment chairs. Five chairs are scheduled with patients. Each patient has their own assigned dental assistant serving them throughout their appointment. We have one over flow chair so we are never without a chair or in a rush for your appointment to end.

After you are seated, Dr. Gorcyzca will be briefed before she examines you. She will make a recommendation for your adjustment and your next appointment. We will always ask if there is anything more we can do for you before you are dismissed.

We Love Getting To Know Our Patients!

It's great to know you! At your initial exam we ask "Tell Us About Yourself." We start our treatment by getting to know you and addressing your orthodontic concerns. We aim to treat each patient, one at a time, with tender loving care.

There is only one orthodontist at Gorczyca Orthodontics. Dr. Gorczyca diagnoses and plans treatment for each and every case personally. She is Board Certified, in the Angle Society, a university professor, and has over 25 years experience and has treated over 10,000 orthodontic patients successfully.

Each Patient Is Unique

Every bite is unique and every person is special. This is one of the things that makes our work at Gorczyca Orthodontics so rewarding.

Dr. Gorczyca will communicate closely with your general dentist about your orthodontic care. It is important for you to have regular dental cleanings during treatment. Restorative and cosmetic treatment procedures and oral surgery and periodontal care will be coordinated with your orthodontic treatment.

We honor our relationship with you, the customer. We will work hard to give you personalized care and a beautiful smile. We look forward to seeing you soon. Find us at www.clubbraces.com or call us at (925)757-9000.

You're just a phone call away from a beautiful smile.

WEARING ORTHODONTIC ELASTICS is like rolling a ball uphill. Constant pushing force, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week gets the ball to the top of the hill as quickly as possible.

So it is with orthodontic elastics. If you wear your orthodontic elastics full time, your orthodontic treatment will be fast and completed as quickly as possible.

Neglecting To Wear Elastics Can Slow Treatment

If you let go of a ball on a hill, it will roll back down. If you wear your orthodontic elastics only part time, your teeth will move back towards there original position and your treatment time will take longer.

The light force of your orthodontic elastics has been scientifically proven to be the most physiological and healthy movement of your teeth. This force level is usually 6 1/2 ounces.

Doubling Elastics Can Harm Your Oral Health

DO NOT double your orthodontic elastics! This will cause damage to your teeth, gums, and bone and may even cause you to lose a tooth!

Your orthodontist cannot control how much you will wear your orthodontic elastics. Progress can only be made by you and evaluated from one appointment to the next. This is why treatment time with an orthodontist varies from patient to patient.

If you have questions about orthodontic elastics or orthodontic treatment, call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics for a complimentary consultation 925-757-9000. Find us at www.clubbraces.com in Antioch, California.

Get your teeth to their final destination fast! With orthodontic elastic wear, consistency is queen! Follow your orthodontist's instructions and wear your orthodontic elastics 24/7 for the best orthodontic result in the shortest treatment time possible.

Top image by Flickr user Fuzzy Gerdes 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.

ONCE UPON A TIME, there was a princess named Veronica. She did not look like a real princess because her face made her look sad. Quiet and thoughtful, the smile of her eyes, gums, and teeth did not express the happiness in her heart.

One Day There Was A Terrible Storm...

One day there was a terrible storm. There was thunder and lightning, and rain poured down in torrents. To come in from the cold, the princess knocked on the door of Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California.

An Old Queen came to the door and looked at the princess. “Good gracious!” said the Queen. “You are under the spell of vertical maxillary excess giving you ‘Adenoid Facies’. This makes you look sad by:

1. Showing the whites of your eyes under your pupils
2. Pulling down the smile muscles of your cheeks
3. Separating your lips at rest
4. Allowing your teeth to protrude
5. Giving your chin a puckered ‘golf ball’ appearance”

Orthodontic Treatment Is A Fast And Permanent Solution

A Wizard had told the princess she could be saved by a lifetime of Botox needle shots to her upper lip. “Hogwash!” said the Queen. “This will not help you! We need a fast and permanent solution by an orthodontist. Let us be happy and fix this forever. Your prince will be here soon!”

A Young Prince Arrived...

Soon the Princess’s teeth were straight, and she was smiling ear to ear. A young prince arrived to Antioch, California from Ciudad Guzman, Jalisco, Mexico. He looked at Veronica and said “You are dear to me. By the smile on your happy face, I can see that you have the best heart and that you are a real princess. I will marry you!”

So the prince and princess were married. Nothing made the Queen happier than to see the prince and princess happy and thriving. They soon had four children. And, they all lived happily ever after.

This Is A True Story!

This is a true story. Veronica is now Treatment Coordinator at Gorczyca Orthodontics and her orthodontic treatment was done by Orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca, Gorczyca Orthodontics, in Antioch, California.

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

Please share if you like this post.

ONE OUT OF EIGHT PEOPLE in the United States are living with pain related to TMD every day. Thankfully, if diagnosed and treated correctly, relief is just around the corner.

Common Symptoms of TMD

TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is pain and discomfort caused by problems with the jaw, jaw joint, and surrounding facial muscles that control chewing and moving the jaw.

Common TMD symptoms include:

• Jaw muscle stiffness; limited movement or locking of the jaw
• Painful clicking, popping, or grating in the jaw joint
• Chronic headaches/migraines
• Pain in the neck and shoulders
• Earaches or ringing ears

TMD Has Multiple Causes

Adding to TMD’s complexity, there can be multiple causes. While an autoimmune disease or various forms of arthritis can affect your temporomandibular joint, some lesser known causes of TMD include bruxism (teeth grinding/clenching), bad bite, and stress.

Depending on your symptoms, various treatments and orthodontic solutions are available such as:

• Muscle relaxation techniques/stress management
• Physical therapy
• Medication
• Surgery

Dr. Gorczyca has additional training in the treatment of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). At Gorczyca Orthodontics, we are frequently able to reduce TMD pain by use of the TMD splint adjusted especially for you. Pain levels are usually able to be reduced in a few weeks from levels described as 4 or higher down to a 1 or often 0 or no pain at all.

Once your TMD pain symptoms have been resolved, often your bite may need improved through orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign.

Don’t Suffer Needlessly!

If you are experiencing symptoms of TMD or have any questions, make an appointment to come visit us. We’re here to help relieve your pain and regain your quality of life!

Call us at (925) 757-9000 for a complimentary orthodontic evaluation if you have questions about temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) or your bite. At Gorczyca Orthodontics, we can help you make TMD pain a thing of the past.

Thank you for your continued trust in our practice!

Top image by Flickr user web4camguy 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.

WHEN THE COLD AND FLU SEASON STRIKES your teeth and braces are probably the last things you’re thinking about as you reach for another tissue! But there ARE some things related to that cold or flu that can affect your oral health.

Since tooth decay and gum disease can be especially risky during orthodontic treatment, we want you to be conscious of these three things:

Tip 1: Avoid Dry Mouth By Staying Hydrated

Dry mouth increases cavity risk. Most colds come with a giant side order of stuffy nose. We respond by breathing through our mouths! Doing so, combined with decreased saliva production during sleep, makes our mouths more vulnerable to harmful bacteria.

Tip 2: Keep The Bad Stuff Off Your Teeth

• Are you sucking on cough drops all day? Most are loaded with sugar. Opt for sugar-free cough drops if possible. AND, be sure not to bite down on those super-hard drops.
• Cough syrup is loaded with sugar too. If you take cough syrup, rinse your mouth out before going back to bed.
• Stomach acid is hard on teeth. Sorry to bring this up, but if you’re throwing up, keep your teeth rinsed and clean.

Tip 3: No Matter How Tired...

We know it’s tough when you’re sick, but don’t skip your normal brushing/flossing routine just because you’re feeling really tired. Your oral health while you’re in braces is just too important to neglect. (By the way, did you notice the kitty in the photo above? We think she’s smelling his breath because he hasn’t brushed in days.)

We Want To Help You Stay Healthy This Season

Stay healthy this flu season! Remember to sneeze into your elbow and wash your hands often to keep viruses from spreading.

We at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California hope that you will not be getting a cold or the flu this season. Stay well and please call us at (925) 757-9000 for your orthodontic needs. We look forward to seeing a healthy you!

If you’re sick, get feeling better soon! And thanks for your trust in our orthodontic practice.

TOGETHER, WE’RE WORKING HARD ON THOSE PEARLY WHITES OF YOURS... Regardless of whether you’re 12 years old or 52 years old! As you know, here at our practice, we obsess over our patients’ smiles. We know that a confident smile through ortho treatment can be life changing. But what does your smile have to do with aging?

1. People Who Smile More Are Perceived As Younger

Last year, in an American Psychological Association study, researchers showed thousands of photos of people wearing different expressions to test subjects, who were then asked to guess the ages of the people in the photos. The guesses on neutral expressions were quite accurate, but smiling faces were generally assumed to be years younger than their actual age.

2. Sharing Your Smile (and a laugh) Makes You FEEL Younger—Regardless Of Your Age

We know that sometimes it’s a little hard to smile while you’re wearing braces. Remember, they’ll come off soon and you’re going to look awesome. Remember too, regardless of your age, it’s really not about the number of miles on your smile. It’s about how comfortable you are sharing it!

3. Smiling May Even Help You Live Longer

Living longer—now THERE’S a serious smiling benefit. Could this really be true? A 2010 Wayne State University study examined the relationship between smile intensity and longevity among 230 pro baseball players from a ’52 baseball registry. They found that players with big smiles lived an average of five years longer that those who didn’t (or barely) smiled. Even players with small smiles lived longer than those who didn’t smile.

Facial expression and smiles have long been shown to be a good indicator of people’s emotions—and those with positive emotions are even shown to have better interpersonal skills and more stable marriages. Smiling can have a great impact on your health—it can boost your immune system and reduces stress.

So Here Are Some Tips For Helping Your Smile Keep You Young

1. Care for your teeth, relentlessly, by doing the basics—brushing, flossing, regular checkups with your regular dentist, etc. You already know HOW IMPORTANT this is during your orthodontic treatment.
2. Ask us any time you have questions about your oral health.
3. Smile big, and smile often—even while you have braces!

When you take good care of your teeth, chances are they’ll last a lifetime. And a great smile will make that lifetime longer, healthier, and happier.

We’re Always Available And Always Listening

If you have questions, Orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca and Gorczyca Orthodontics can help. Call us at (925) 757-9000 or visit us at www.clubbraces.com.

You know how to contact us! And, we love hearing from you on our Facebook page!

And thanks, as always, for being our valued orthodontic patients and friends!

OUR TEAM IS NOT ONLY CONCERNED WITH YOUR ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT, but we also care about your overall health and comfort. That's why we want to address something that affects one in four households—migraines.

For migraine sufferers, it may seem as though there are only two options—either suffer in silence with a bottle of ibuprofen, or go to the doctor for something stronger. However, experts say that as many as 95% of migraines may be linked to dental issues. So if you, your child, or other family member suffer from migraines, maybe it’s time for a chat with our practice (or your general dentist) instead. If you’re not sure who to talk to first, call us and we can visit about it.

Yes, sometimes the orthodontic work we are doing can cause minor headaches. If this is ever the case for you, please let us know.  However, if your headaches are chronic, there may be another cause altogether.

Your Migraines May Be Caused By TMJ or TMD

TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint. This is the joint responsible for jaw movement—talking, crunching, grinding, clenching, etc. It’s a complex system of bones, muscles, and tendons. When something interrupts the function of this system, it’s referred to as TMD, or temporomandibular disorder.

If your jaw is misaligned, your muscles are strained trying to put (or keep) your jaw in its proper place. Soon it starts impacting all the surrounding muscles, including your neck, your head, and even your spine.

Some TMD Symptoms Include:

• Popping or clicking jaw
• Sore teeth
• Facial pain
• Aching neck muscles
• And of course, Migraines

Treating TMD

TMD research is still a developing science and treatments can range from fitting a mouthpiece to actually adjusting one’s bite (which often includes orthodontic work). If you’re suffering from pain in your jaw, your teeth, your face or head, come in and ask us at Gorczyca Orthodontics about it. As you know, we are ALWAYS looking at your bite each time you visit us. However, if you are experiencing some of the symptoms we’ve described here, we should take another look.

If you have questions about TMJ or TMD, leave us a comment below, send us a direct message on Facebook, or contact us for an appointment.

As always, thanks for the trust you place in our orthodontic practice!

SOMETIMES, WE’RE  GUILTY OF ASSUMING TOO MUCH, RIGHT? We recently realized that we’ve probably wrongly assumed that ALL of you—our valued patients—know Ally as well as we do! That’s probably not the case.

Ally’s real name is Ashley. But, Gorczyca Orthodontics already had an Ashley, one of the most popular names! So, Gorczyca Orthodontics decided they would call her by her nickname “Ally!”

So, We Asked Ally A Few Questions

Those questions are found below—along with her candid answers! Enjoy!

Where are you originally from?

“I am originally from Richmond, California. When I was 15 years old, my family moved to Suisun, not far from Fairfield, and Antioch, California, on the Sacramento River Delta. Recently, I moved to Antioch to be closer to my Dad.”

What made you decide that you wanted to become a dental assistant?

“When I was a Junior in High School, my marketing class had a field trip to Heald College in Concord, California. At this college, I learned about the career option of becoming a dental assistant. After graduating from Pinole Valley High School, I attended Blake Austin College in Vacaville, California and received my education in dental assisting.”

When you started as a dental assistant was there something funny that happened? Do you dare tell us that story?

“Years ago, when I started working for the very first time on the first day, I nervously grabbed the air water syringe. I accidentally pressed water instead of air and sprayed the doctor! He laughed knowing how nervous I was. Things have been great ever since!”

How did you come to work at Gorczyca Orthodontics?

“My stepmother was an orthodontic patient at Gorczyca Orthodontics. She told me that Gorcyzca Orthodontics had a great team, the doctor was really nice, and she thought that I would do really well at Gorczyca Orthodontics. I visited Gorczyca Orthodontics in 2014 but they did not have a job opening then. When they recently did have a job opening, Gorczyca Orthodontics called me back. It’s funny how things work out in life!

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?

“When I am not at work, I love spending time with my family. My favorite thing to do is to have a cook-out including dancing, singing, karaoke, laughing, and watching old family videos. Most of my family is originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana. My grandparents moved to California in the early 1960’s when my grandfather was in the service.”

What do you enjoy most about being a dental assistant?

“What I love most about working at Gorczyca Orthodontics is transforming smiles. It is a confidence builder for our patients to receive a beautiful orthodontic result. It make me feel like I’ve really made a difference in the life of our patients to be part of the orthodontic treatment result that they receive.”

We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Ally a little better. Here at Gorczyca Orthodontics we feel really fortunate to have her as a member of our awesome team.

Do YOU Have A Question For Ally?

If so, please enter it in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to pass it along to her for an answer! Also, as you know, you can always send us private questions or comments on our Facebook page.

Thanks for the trust you place in us!

IN CASES WHERE LOWER TEETH are spaced more than upper teeth, closing these spaces by orthodontic treatment will greatly improve your bite. In abnormal edge to edge bites, where there is no overjet or overbite, teeth experience rapid and excessive tooth wear as well as periodontal damage. This can be prevented by orthodontic treatment with Invisalign.

Diabetes affects periodontal health and can cause teeth to space and gums to recede. If you have dental spacing or gum recession and an abnormal bite due to diabetes, Invisalign can help.

Invisalign Treatment May Be The Ideal Option For You

Invisalign treatment is a series of clear custom trays which move teeth to a new, more ideal position. Invisalign aligners are comfortable and effective at closing mild to moderate spaces between your teeth.

If you would like to close dental spaces between your teeth, find out if Invisalign is right for you. Call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics 925-757-9000 for a complimentary orthodontic consultation and a referral to a periodontist if necessary.

Don’t let dental spacing keep you from smiling. Start your Invisalign treatment today.

WHEN I THINK OF DENTAL SPORTS mouth guards, I think of my cousin John. Always the scholar athelete, a few seconds without his dental mouth guard caused him to lose an upper front tooth while wrestling in high school.

It has been reported that sports cause approximately 36% of injuries to children and adolescents. According to the American Dental Association, 10-20% of all sports related injuries are to the jaws and teeth.

Get Your Sports Mouth Guard At Gorczyca Orthodontics

For this reason, Orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca of Antioch, California offers custom-made sports mouth guards at Gorczyca Orthodontics.

Having recently returned from the office of Dr. Todd Yerondopoulos, Dentist of the Oakland Raiders, Dr. Gorczyca and her assistant Ashley are ready to serve local athletes in the fabrication of professional grade sports mouth guards. Custom designs are also available for Deer Valley High School, Antioch H.S., Pittsburg H.S., as well as Liberty, Freedom, and Heritage High Schools in Brentwood, California. Our goal is to prevent sports related dental injuries in our East Contra County community.

But What Ever Happened To Dr. Gorczyca’s Cousin?

What happened next to Dr. Gorczyca’s cousin is the stuff of dental legend. Making the best of the situation, John visited Boston University Dental School for his dental implant, where he became the patient of a beautiful and charming dental student named Maria.

He was so impressed with her passion for dentistry and his love for his new dental implant that he decided to marry her! Thirty four years later, John is the father of three and a leading orthopaedic trauma surgeon, making for a romantic ending to this “toothsome” tale.

IT’S NO SECRET that straight, well-aligned teeth are an important part of a great smile. Unfortunately, the inconvenience and discomfort often associated with traditional braces keeps some people from straightening their teeth.

We’ve Been Using Invisalign Since 1999

Gorczyca Orthodontics is a leader in Invisalign treatment. Having provided Invisalign treatment since 1999, we have treated hundreds of patients with a variety of problems including protruding teeth, generalized spacing, and severe crowding. Due to the advances in Invisalign technology, it is now possible for orthodontists to even treat skeletal malocclusion (orthognathic surgery cases), and cases which need extraction or elastics with Invisalign.

Invisalign is a modern approach to teeth straightening without many of the drawbacks of braces. Let’s talk about why Invisalign may be right for you.

The Clear Plastic Aligners Are Nearly Invisible

Most people won’t even know you’re wearing Invisalign aligners. You can confidently show off your smile while straightening your teeth!

No Wires Or Brackets To Irritate Your Mouth

Invisalign uses a series of soft, plastic aligners that fit comfortably over your teeth to gradually and gently straighten your smile.

Traditional braces require frequent tightening visits. With Invisalign, you can save time, since all you have to do is come in every couple weeks for your new trays, and to give us a chance to check in on your progress.

You Can See Your Whole Treatment Plan From The Beginning

Invisalign also provides a 3D computerized set-up of your virtual case (ClinCheck) so that you can track your progress with treatment and see your eventual outcome.

Your Invisalign outcome will be as successful as your orthodontists treatment plan and your commitment to wearing your aligners 24/7. We suggest that aligners be worn a minimum of 22 hours per day for the quickest and most successful treatment.

Brush, Floss, And Eat Without Interference

Unlike traditional braces, you can remove your Invisalign aligner during your oral hygiene routines, and while eating your favorite meals! Brushing and flossing is not complicated and you don’t have to give up any of the foods you love.

We want to help determine whether or not Invisalign is right for you. Call us today to set up a smile consultation.

Thank you for being one of our valued patients!

And, thanks for considering Invisalign!

THIS SUNDAY MUCH OF THE WORLD CELEBRATES motherhood and the many moms who have helped shape our lives. Most of us can thank a mom for our first smiles, subsequent years of grins and endless hours of care—including lots of help and encouragement taking care of our smiles. For ALL our mothers do, we want to say “thanks”!

The next time you eat, brush, or floss, stop and think about who taught you to do all those things? It may have been a dad or someone else who watched over you, but chances are it was your mom. Regardless of who it was, the individual(s) who taught you how to take care of yourself—and your smile—have made a big difference in your life.

This Mother’s Day, when you talk to your own mom or send a message to another mom who’s important to you, think about all the times that person made you smile. If that special somebody helped you with oral care, say “thank you” specifically for that! Let us know what that person says back to you by commenting below! We’d like to hear what their reactions might be!

After all, if it weren’t for the people who cared for us and taught us about good oral hygiene, we’d probably all have less to smile about (and fewer teeth to smile with).

A Fun, Thank You Tribute To Moms

If you have a favorite memory of mom, we’d love to hear about it. Share it with us in the comments below or on our Facebook page.

Have a great Mother's Day!

DENTAL MIDLINES THAT DO NOT LINE UP are a sign that something much bigger is functionally off in a bite.

When midlines do not line up vertically in the center of the face between your upper and lower front teeth, often there is a major tooth position problem. This is frequently caused by loosing a baby tooth too early and teeth drifting forward into the space. This creates a major bite asymmetry.

Correcting Bite Asymmetry Protects Your Teeth

Bite asymmetry is usually corrected by comprehensive orthodontic treatment, which takes 24 months. Midline discrepancy or uncentered midlines can be treated with Class II or Class III elastics or by having a tooth extracted for an excellent orthodontic result. When tooth tips hit due to asymmetry, orthodontic correction will prevent teeth from being worn down prematurely in the future.

Whatever The Underlying Cause, Orthodontic Treatment Can Correct It

Other causes of midlines which do not line up are tooth size problems of a unilateral small tooth or jaw asymmetry. Both of these conditions can be fixed by comprehensive orthodontic treatment.

This case was treated by Board Certified Orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca, Antioch, California. Find us at www.clubbraces.com or call us at (925) 757-9000 for a complimentary orthodontic exam.

Find out why your midlines are not centered. An uncentered midline is just the tip of the bite iceberg!

A GORGEOUS SMILE IS more than six straight front teeth. A beautiful smile includes facial balance, an esthetic profile, ideal lip posture, and straight front teeth that contact.

The most common orthodontic complaint, teeth that stick-out “overjet” in the horizontal direction, requires careful orthodontic analysis.

Overbite + Overjet Can Cause Severe Problems

When “overbite” (front teeth overlapped in the vertical direction) is combined with excessive overjet, an impinging bite occurs. Lower teeth contact the roof of the mouth. Left untreated, this deep bite will produce severe tooth and gum problems.

There are several treatment options to reduce excessive overjet and overbite:

• growth modification
• elastic wear
• tooth extraction
• orthognathic surgery

Orthodontists Treat Your Whole Face

Your initial photo can be morphed to show you the predicted facial changes with each treatment option.

Your orthodontist will carefully analyze your profile X-ray to produce a customized treatment plan to improve your bite, profile, and dental health. Orthodontists treat faces, not only teeth.

Questions? Give Us A Call

This case was treated by Board Certified Orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca of Gorczyca Orthodontics, Antioch, California.

If you have questions about overjet and overbite, call us at (925) 757-9000 or visit us at www.clubbraces.com.

You don’t have to “stick-out.” Consider orthodontic treatment today.

THUMBSUCKING IS A HARD HABIT TO BREAK. A survival instinct at birth, the longer someone sucks their thumb, the harder the habit is to stop.

Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca, Board Certified Orthodontist says, “People think that only children suck their thumb. I can tell you from experience treating the habit, that this is not the case. Over the course of my 25 year career, I have treated plenty of children to stop thumb sucking. I have also treated high school football players, engaged women getting ready to be married, and people over the age of forty. The longer you wait to stop sucking your thumb, the harder the habit is to break.”

Thumb Sucking Should Be Stopped By Age 7

Thumb sucking cessation is best treated at age 7. Thumb sucking with baby teeth has little or no long term effects on permanent tooth position. Psychologists argue that there is a psychological benefit to thumb sucking at a very early age. But after age 7, thumb sucking will create a malocclusion (bad bite) including flared front teeth, spaced upper teeth, pushed in lower teeth, a narrow upper arch, and front tooth openbite. These are serious bite problems.

An Appliance Can Help Stop Thumbsucking

If caught early, thumb sucking can be treated with a upper jaw habit appliance only. This appliance will stop both the thumb sucking habit and allow the open bite to close naturally.

Orthodontic treatment may also be needed to expand the upper arch and align front teeth after thumb sucking. This is usually done between the ages of 7 to 9 during Phase 1 orthodontic treatment.

Some Tips To Stop Thumbsucking At Home

There are things you can try at home to stop thumb sucking.

1. Place a band aid on the finger as a reminder not to suck the finger.
2. Put the finger into something which does not taste good like hot sauce, vinegar, or mustard as a taste reminder not to suck the finger.
3. Put a smelly sock or a glove on the hand as a smell and touch reminder not to suck the finger.

At any age, your orthodontist can help you stop thumb sucking. To find an orthodontist near you visit www.mylifemysmile.org or visit us at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California at www.clubbraces.com. Call us at (925) 757-9000 for a complimentary exam.

Stop thumb sucking! Isn’t time to kick the habit?

AFTER PHASE 1 orthodontic treatment, your 12 year old’s teeth look really good. Why do Phase 2 orthodontic treatment?

Phase 1 orthodontic treatment is completed between ages 7 and 9. Between Phase 1 and Phase 2, 16 additional permanent teeth come into the mouth. The chances of all 16 of these permanent teeth coming in perfectly are pretty low.

Phase 2 Is The Final Bite Tune-Up

Growth can also modify midlines, bite, or tooth position. Consider Phase 2 orthodontic treatment as the final bite tune-up that will last your child’s lifetime.

When choosing to do Phase 1 Phase 2 treatment versus comprehensive orthodontic treatment starting at age twelve, consider two phase treament as “half now, half later.” Doing Phase 1 and starting Phase 2 treatment early will insure that your child has their braces off by the Junior Prom. Two phase treatment will make their final treatment phase shorter and easier to complete during this delicate and precious teenage time of life.

Two-Phase Treatment Is Sometimes Needed For Best Results

In 15% of cases, doing Phase I Phase 2 orthodontic treatment will produce a better result. Growth and tooth position can be modified. There is also the psychological benefit of early confidence that goes with having a beautiful smile at a young age.

Questions? Give Us A Call!

It is possible to do Phase 2 orthodontic treatment with either braces or Invisalign Teen. Call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics if you have questions about Phase 1 Phase 2 orthodontic treatment (925) 757-9000 or visit us at www.clubbraces.com.

The Junior Prom will be here soon. Phase 2 orthodontic treatment with make your child’s smile and bite great!

347 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE have diabetes, and that number grows every year. Diabetes affects all areas of people’s health, from the skin to the kidneys. Diabetes can also cause severe dental health issues.

Diabetes Increases Gum Disease Risk

Research has shown that people with diabetes are more likely to develop periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a serious health problem that can lead to bone and tooth loss if not properly managed.

Periodontitis Can Also Reduce One’s Ability To Control Blood Sugar

Periodontitis (an advanced stage of gum disease) can make blood sugar levels spike and fluctuate. Additional research suggests that when diabetic patients gain control of gum disease, they can also gain better control of their diabetes.

Can Periodontal Disease Affect Orthodontic Treatment?

Many patients with diabetes needs orthodontic treatment. When bone is lost surrounding teeth, often these teeth move into undesirable positions. Bone loss in the presence of inflammation, as found in periodontitis, can result in unpredictable orthodontic tooth movement during orthodontic treatment.

That’s why, at Gorczyca Orthodontics, we send every adult orthodontic patient for a thorough periodontal examination with a periodontist prior to starting active orthodontic therapy.

Periodontist, Dr. Nancy Dubuk of Deer Valley Professionals, 5201 Deer Valley Road in Antioch, California says:

“A diabetic patient seeking orthodontic treatment can be stable with blood sugars under control with proper monitoring. These patients can maintain their periodontal health well, as long as they are on a good oral hygiene maintenance schedule, both at home and professionally. Once these are established, they can begin orthodontic treatment.”

Help Us Raise Awareness About Diabetes-Related Periodontal Disease

What Can You Do To Prevent Periodontal Disease?

Patients can brush and floss twice per day to prevent periodontal disease. Be sure to have professional cleanings done at least twice per year with your dentist. Ask your dentist to complete a thorough periodontal exam, which includes pockets probing measurements and full mouth series radiographs. If bony pockets deeper than 4 mm exist, early treatment by a periodontist can help prevent further bone loss.

For more information about periodontal disease, contact the American Academy of Periodontology at www.perio.org. To find an orthodontist near you, visit the American Association of Orthodontists at www.mylifemysmile.org.

Oral hygiene maintenance and beautifully white straight teeth will help you prevent the danger of of diabetes associated periodontal disease. Let your periodontist and orthodontist help you achieve a beautiful smile.

To learn more about adult orthodontics, call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics (925) 757-9000 or visit us at www.clubbraces.com.

Share This Information With Someone You Know

Most of us know at least one person who is affected by these diseases. If you have a friend, family member, neighbor, or coworker who has diabetes or periodontitis, share this information with them! It’s essential that they understand the relationship between these two things—and, what they can do to help improve their situation.

Thank you for your trust in our practice!

TRUE LOVE IS RARE. SO ARE “KISSING” MOLARS. The condition of impacted bilateral kissing molars is so rare a phenomenon, it has only been reported five times in the literature.

Kissing Molars Can Cause Complications

“Kissing” or “rosetting” molars are impacted permanent mandibular second, third, and very rarely, fourth molars with contacting occlusal surfaces. The imaginological appearance of “kissing” molars show roots pointing in opposite directions while their occlusal surfaces are in close apposition “kissing” while occupying a single follicular space.

The term “kissing molar” was given by Van Hoof in 1973. Early surgical removal of kissing molars is recommended as this condition can cause complications including formation of dentigerous cysts and other pathologies that can cause destruction of the lower jaw bone. In surgical treatment of impacted kissing molars of the lower jaw, a high resolution conebeam computed tomography (CBCT) can be used to evaluate the relationship of the impacted teeth to the alveolar inferior nerve. In the management of asymptomatic patients, the risk and morbidity of a surgical procedure must be evaluated.

This Case Was Actually Found By Dr. Gorczyca

This case of “kissing” molars was discovered by Orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca at Gorczyca Orthodontics, in Antioch, California. If you would like to find out how romantic your molars are, visit us at www.clubbraces.com. If you need to find an orthodontist in your area, visit the American Association of Orthodontists at www.mylifemysmile.org.

If you have third molar symptoms, your molars need to elope. To find an oral surgeon in your area, visit the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons at MyOMS.org. Isn’t it romantic?