oral surgery

EVERYONE LOVES THE MOVIE “A Christmas Story”. In it, Ralphie dreams of getting a Red Ryder air rifle for Christmas. In addition, he is a victim of neighborhood bullying by one of the big boys. Ralphie finally confronts the bully, letting him know that his stunt is over. In doing so, he earns the respect of his parents and peers.

Bullying starts as early as kindergarten. It starts as early as kindergarten. It is seen more frequently in boys/men then in girls/women. And, if you are a little bit special because of dental and skeletal malocclusion, that only makes the odds for childish bullying worse.

If Teeth Are A Cause Of Bullying, We Can Help

If your child is a victim of schoolyard bullying, he may not want to go to school. He may lose his happiness, joy for life, or find it hard to smile. If you notice these behaviors, your child may be bullied. If teeth are a cause, your orthodontist can help.

Social acceptability may become a factor in the decision for early orthodontic intervention as early as age six. In some cases, in addition to straightening teeth, distraction osteogenesis may also be needed to correct a jaw to normal size.

We’re Listening To What Our Patients Have To Say

At Gorczyca Orthodontics, we recognize and are sensitive to bullying. We listen closely to what our young patients tell us about how they feel and what is going on at school. Kids trust us and we’re here to help.

Your Child Has Better Things To Think About

Lessen the load of being a kid. End bullying. We want kids thinking about rainbow bracelets and Red Ryder air rifles and not worried about their teeth.

To find an orthodontist near you, visit www.mylifemysmile.org.

WE’VE ALL HEARD THE ROUSING MAXIM: “keep your chin up” as a cheerful reminder to remain positive and persistent.

In comprehensive orthodontic treatment, surprisingly, some chins literally and physically need to be brought up.

A Genioplasty Can Restore The Balance Of The Face

The maxillofacial procedure to lift a chin is called genioplasty. This chin augmentation procedure can be completed as an implant or a sliding restructuring of the chin bone.

Sliding a piece of chin bone upward and forward may improve the harmony and balance of a face. Done from within the lower lip, a genioplasty is a relatively easy surgical procedure and does not require an overnight hospital stay.

Get A Beautiful Smile From Every Angle

When genioplasty is benefical, your orthodontist will work closely with a maxillofacial oral surgeon to give you the gorgeous profile you desire as well as beautiful teeth and a healthy and functional bite.

This case was treated by Board Certified orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca of Gorczyca Orthodontics, Antioch, CA. Find us at www.clubbraces.com or call (925) 757-9000 for a complimentary consultation.

So keep your head high,
keep your chin up, and
most importantly,
keep smiling, because
life’s a beautiful thing and
there’s so much to smile about.
-Marilyn Monroe

YOU CAN’T SEE IT...

Yet, it often creeps up on other teeth and takes a bite out of their roots.

There is danger in the unerupted impacted canine.

An Orthodontist Knows How To Recognize The Problem

Early detection of impacted canines is often missed by non-orthodontists. The teeth and bite may look great and there may be no patient complaints. Yet, an orthodontist knows that when primary canines are not lost by age 12, lurking below the surface of the oral cavity, there may be... the impacted canine.

Working With A Team, We Can Eliminate The Threat

Impacted canines can be detected by panoramic X-ray or a CBCT for a 3-dimensional view. Once found, your orthodontist will recommend opening adequate space orthodontically for the impacted canine and refer you to an oral surgeon for impacted canine exposure. The oral surgeon will then expose your canine and place an orthodontic bracket with a gold chain attached on to the impacted tooth. Your orthodontist will then bring your impacted canine into your mouth slowly, gently, and methodically. Once in your mouth, your canine can function properly. Your canine can no longer be a threat to your bone or other teeth.

When Is The Time Right?

It is important to bring in an impacted canine into your mouth as soon as possible. Movement around age 12 is ideal. Movement after age 15 is slower. Movement after age 21 may no longer be possible.

What’s The Danger?

Why remove the impacted canine? The primary baby tooth canine will eventually be lost. It may be at age 40, 50, or 30. We don’t know when, but chances are, the baby tooth canine will not be maintained for your entire adult life. When lost, it may not be possible to place an implant for tooth replacement with the impacted canine in an implant blocking position. Your impacted canine could limit your future tooth replacement options to a fixed bridge or partial denture. As an adult, an impacted canine is very difficult to remove.

Call Us For More Information

This case was treated by Board Certified Orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca of Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, CA. Find us at www.clubbraces.com or call us at 925-757-9000 for a complimentary orthodontic examination.

Kowabunga Dude! Don’t be scared of an impacted canine! Expose this threat for ideal dental health.

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?