straight teeth

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.

GIVE YOUR CHILD the gift of straight teeth and a beautiful smile this holiday season.

Visit Our Office During The Holiday Break!

Our Christmas RDA elves and gnomes and Merry Dr. Gorczyca will be giving beautiful smiles to good little and big girls and boys during this holiday season. Gorczyca Orthodontics’ last day to get braces in 2017 will be Thursday, December 20th. We will return back to the office and be putting on braces and delivering Invisalign and retainers on January 3rd, 2019.

We serve the Contra Costa County communities of Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood, Pittsburg, Concord, Rio Vista, Byron, and Discovery Bay. Gorczyca Orthodontics is centrally located at one convenient location at 5201 Deer Valley Road, Suite 1A, in Antioch, California.

Find us at www.clubbraces.com or visit us at the Deer Valley Dental Professionals Building next door to Deer Valley High School. Plan ahead and call now to reserve your Holiday hours appointment time. Reach us at (925) 757-9000.

From Highway 4, take the Hillcrest exit past Lone Tree. Turn left at Miranda when you see our three story glass building. We offer convenient parking and fresh coffee and refreshments. Initial orthodontic examinations are a free gift from Santa.

Give the gift of a beautiful smile this holiday season. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon at Gorczyca Orthodontics.

AS MUCH AS WE LOVE YOU, once you’ve completed your orthodontic treatment, we don’t want you coming back for re-treatment! So remember to faithfully wear your retainer!

Don’t Neglect The Final Stage

Some people neglect this last stage of their orthodontic treatment. It’s probably because they think that once their braces are off, they’re FINISHED with orthodontics.

Sorry to break it to you, but you’re not done just yet. In fact, maintaining that drop-dead gorgeous smile may be a lifelong pursuit. Once you get your braces off, you need to remember that your retainer is the final phase of orthodontic treatment, and it’s just as important as every other phase.

Here’s what you need to know about proper retainer care:

#1: Clean Your Retainer Regularly

• Just as you brush your teeth to prevent decay and bad odors, you’ll need to brush your retainer. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste. Some people like to use a tiny bit of mouthwash, or dish detergent. That’s fine, just remember to rinse well.
• Remember to clean regularly — every day or so. This will prevent buildup.
• And a special note: DON’T put your retainers in the dishwasher or the microwave. That’s just asking for damage and warping.

#2: Good Habits Will Keep You From Losing Your Retainer

• Always carry your retainer case with you so that you can properly store it while eating.
• Never wrap up the retainer in a napkin or tissue. That makes it look like trash, and it’s easy to accidentally throw away.
• IF YOU DO lose your retainer, contact us right away. We can make you a new one before your teeth start misbehavin’.

#3: Wear Your Retainer Per Our Instructions

In most cases, after your braces are removed, you should wear your retainer ALL the time (unless we tell you differently). After that, continue to wear your retainer EVERY night.

We’re so excited when our awesome patients reach this final phase of treatment. Take good care of your retainer, and enjoy your beautiful new smile for life! If you have lost or broken your retainer, please call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California for a complimentary orthodontic consultation (925) 757-9000.

Top image by Flickr user Braden Kowitz 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.

NOW THAT YOUR BRACES are off, you’re ready to celebrate! Once again you get to eat those foods that you’ve missed so much! It’s easier to brush! And most of all, you get to show off your gorgeous smile to everyone who congratulates you for completing treatment!

Now What?

There are a few things that you need to remember about caring for your teeth after braces. For the most part, post-braces care is the same as pre-braces and during-braces care. That’s why we talk about so many general dental care and oral health topics here on our blog in addition to information about orthodontic treatment. HOWEVER, here are a few things specific to those of you who just had your braces removed.

Some Instructions, Including “Wear Your Retainer!”

1. Schedule an appointment with your dentist. Now that your teeth are aligned and clear of hardware, your dentist can do a more thorough examination and cleaning. If you had crowded teeth before, this may be the most thorough check-up and cleaning you’ve ever had!
2. Take special care of your gums. Sometimes during orthodontic treatment gums are neglected because flossing takes so much longer. Put in some extra effort to get your periodontal health on track by flossing faithfully every day. You may want to gently massage your gums with your toothbrush if they feel a little tender.
3. Give your teeth some time. Your mouth may feel strange for a few days. Some people report that their teeth even feel a little loose. Just take it easy for a few days.
4. Take care of your retainer! Your retainer is your new best friend. We often see patients who need a second round of treatment because they neglected their retainer the first time. You’ve already put in all that effort, so make sure that you keep the dazzling effects for your lifetime!

Celebrate!

To really celebrate, take some fun “after” pictures showing off your new smile. Post them on Facebook! You may even want to think about some teeth whitening to make the most of your beautiful, straight smile.

From everyone here at our practice, congratulations on finishing treatment! We’re so grateful that you chose us to see you through this process, and we’re so excited about your amazing new smile.

Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California

Your smile is our inspiration.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

AT GORCZYCA ORTHODONTICS, you and your patient experience are our highest priority. We want you and your children to look forward to coming to your next orthodontic appointment and to leave happier than you came.

In addition to clinical excellence and outstanding customer service, we strive to make your orthodontic appointments a great experience and just plain FUN! We know it’s the little things that make you and your kids happy. That’s why we have upgraded our three reception area play stations.

Check Out Our Arcade!

At Gorczyca Orthodontics, we now have 267 Sega Genesis and Atari games in the reception play area. So, pull up a bean bag and have some fun! Some games are classics that even Dad will enjoy playing. Some games will be new to you and your whole family.

Come early to your next appointment and allow time to take the Atari Sega challenge. Have some fun with your kids. Or, have your child bring a friend for a few game matches.

New Patient? We Can Answer Your Questions!

If you are new to Gorczyca Orthodontics, welcome! Find us at 5201 Deer Valley Road, Suite 1A, in Antioch, CA (right behind Deer Valley High School). Visit us for a free orthodontic exam. Find us at www.clubbraces.com to learn more about board certified orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca, the excellent quality of our care, the history of Gorczyca Orthodontics, our outstanding customer service, and our amazing team of orthodontic professionals. We can’t wait to see you!

There’s something for everyone at Gorczyca Orthodontics. Come a little early and make yourself at home. We love seeing you, your family, and your smiles. Be our guest, have your teeth straightened and bite corrected, and have some fun at the same time.

We’re looking forward to seeing you. See you soon at Gorczyca Orthodontics! (925) 757-9000

AT GORCZYCA ORTHODONTICS, we love giving our patients something extra-special the day they get their braces on, going above and beyond expectations, and creating a patient experience that will not only be memorable, but also amazing.

We love surprising and delighting our patients and giving them the gift of oral health at the same time. This is why we love the OrthoEssentials Bundle from Crest Oral B.

You will, too!

We Have You Covered With The OrthoEssentials Bundle!

When you get your braces on at Gorczyca Orthodontics, you will receive your very own Oral B electric toothbrush, oral rinse, Crest toothpaste, and floss, as well as floss threaders and proxybrushes in what we call the OrthoEssentials Bundle. With it, you will be ready and have everything you need to achieve oral hygiene excellence.

Getting a new toothbrush feels great. It is also a good reminder to throw your old toothbrush away or to change your electric toothbrush head every three months.

OrthoEssentials comes in a convenient carrying case. Kids' packs come with a cute backpack. Children love it and moms are excited about the enthusiasm created for tooth brushing.

Start Your Ortho Treatment On The Right Track!

You will be smiling from the day you get your braces on to the day you get your braces off at Gorczyca Orthodontics. Dr. Gorczyca and team want your smile to be plaque and cavity free. We can all be sure that your hygiene will be excellent throughout your journey to straight teeth with the Crest Oral B OrthoEseentials Bundle.

Visit today to find out what our Crest Oral B OrthoEssentials program is all about. Call us at 925-757-9000 to schedule your free orthodontic evaluation. Find us at www.clubbraces.com in Antioch, California.

Let us give you something extra-special along with straight teeth, the gift of OrthoEssentials and oral health.

Top image by Flickr user Jon Love 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.

MEN: AFTER YOU GET ENGAGED, prepare to say "I Do" to a beautiful new smile.

Get Your Smile Ready For The Big Day

Most men seeking orthodontic treatment, are brought to the orthodontist by a woman. Usually, it is their fiancee wanting to get her future bride groom's smile ready for the big day.

In other cases, it could be a wife, who, after marriage decides that she would like her husband to have a functional bite and beautiful smile. This is what a wife would love to look at across the dinner table each night.

Otherwise, it is a mother who wants her son to look his very best for when he meets the right girl, dates, gets engaged, and for his wedding day.

Beautiful Smiles Help In Many Areas Of Life

Men: no matter which woman brings you to the orthodontist, having straight teeth, a beautiful smile, and great self-esteem, affects how you feel, who you date, getting engaged, your professional success, self-confidence, and getting married.

We Can Help Bring Out Your Best Smile!

If you are a man and you would like to have the beneftis of beautiful straight teeth, call us for a complimentary consultation for braces, Invisalign, or retainers at Gorczyca Orthodontics (925) 757-9000 or www.clubbraces.com.

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

Men: thinking of getting engaged or married? Get ready with a beautiful new smile for life and the big day ahead.

WE’RE NOT ALL BORN WITH beautiful teeth. When teeth need a beauty makeover, your orthodontist will prepare you for veneers.

Some teeth are too narrow...

Some teeth are too short...

Some teeth do not match the opposite side.

Like magic, all of these conditions can be fixed.

At your initial orthodontic exam, your orthodontist will measure the width and height of your upper front teeth and plan the most beautiful smile makeover possible. Your orthodontist will work closely with your general dentist to give you the best result.

Ready To Get Started? Give Us A Call

If your teeth are in need of a beauty makeover, call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics (925) 757-9000. Visit us at www.clubbraces.com for a complimentary tooth size and shade assessment and orthodontic treatment plan for veneers.

Abracadabra! Like magic, you have a beautiful smile.

WE DON’T SIMPLY straighten teeth and correct bites at our practice—we educate our patients! From the moment you walk through our door to the moment you schedule your next appointment, we’re prepared to guide you through each step of your visit.

One topic we are often asked about is paying for your orthodontic care. Straightening your teeth doesn’t have to clean out your wallet, so today we want to provide you with all of the information you need to know when you’re scheduling your orthodontic consultation.

We Have Payment Options To Suit Your Needs

Dental Insurance

At Gorczyca Orthodontics, we offer customized 0% interest finance plans which help make orthodontic treatment affordable for everyone. Our treatment coordinator, Veronica, will work with you and your dental insurance to help you and your family get started with orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontic treatment may take up to two years, and our payment plans often reflect the amount of time you will be spending with us. Our payment plans are closed ended which means that the price you are quoted is the final price regardless of treatment time.

Financing Options

We offer a payment in full discount as well as a family plan which helps families start multiple children in braces at the same time.

We also offer outside financing at low interest for families who want the lowest monthly payment possible with little down payment. These plans may extend payment beyond your orthodontic treatment time.

We also offer electronic fund transfer and set up your monthly payments to make them as easy and time-free as possible.

Bright, Healthy Smiles Are Priceless

Call us today! Our initial orthodontic examination is complimentary and we work with all the fine dentists in our greater East Contra County communities of Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, Pittsburg, Concord, Discovery Bay and over the bridge to Rio Vista.

At Gorczyca Orthodontics, we want to make orthodontic treatment affordable for everyone. We are here to serve you and your orthodontic needs. Call us at (925) 757-9000 or visit us at www.clubbraces.com. We are located in the Deer Valley Dental Professional Building right behind Deer Valley High School at 5201 Deer Valley Road, Suite 1A, in Antioch California.

Don't let fear for cost, payment, or financing hold you back from orthodontic treatment and the smile of your dreams. We'll make it simple. Come see us and we'll show you how!

Your smile is our inspiration!

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.

IF YOU WANTED TO STRAIGHTEN your teeth back in the day, you really only had one option–traditional metal braces. The science of orthodontics has evolved significantly in recent years, allowing our patients to have a variety of different options when it comes to how they would like to have their teeth straightened and what is most convenient for them. Today, we want to talk about Invisalign®!

Invisalign Treatment Provides Many Benefits

Not everyone is a good candidate for Invisalign, but if you are, it may be a great option to achieve your dream smile!

As the name implies, Invisalign trays are nearly invisible, allowing you to go throughout your daily activities with most people being unaware that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment! The aligners are custom-made for you, ensuring a perfect, comfortable fit.

Of course one of the best perks of choosing Invisalign is being able to eat whatever you want! Because you can take your aligners off while eating and drinking, you don’t have to worry about staying away from the foods that you love. Invisalign trays also don’t affect your oral hygiene routine like traditional braces do. You can brush and floss as you normally would! With Invisalign, you don’t have to sacrifice comfort to get the smile you’ve always wanted.

And even though we love to see you, patients with Invisalign generally need to come in less frequently than our other orthodontic patients. If you have a busy schedule but still want to improve your smile, Invisalign might be just the thing for you!

Many Invisalign patients at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California are parents of braces patients. After completing Invisalign, most of our adult patients state that they wish they had straightened their teeth sooner.

Keep your teeth straight with Invisalign Vivera retainers. Should you choose Invisalign Vivera retainers you will receive four sets.

Talk To Us About Invisalign

Gorczyca Orthodontics has been providing Invisalign treatment since 1999. We are a Preferred Provider for Invisalign and a top Invisalign provider in East Contra Costa County serving the communities of Antioch, Pittsburg, Oakley, Brentwood, and Discovery Bay California.

Invisalign costs the same as braces and the orthodontic consultations at Gorczyca Orthodontics are free. Give us a call today to find out more about Invisalign. Call us at (925) 757-9000. Find us at www.clubbraces.com.

Thank you for choosing our practice. We absolutely love our patients!

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.

INVISALIGN ISN’T THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR EVERYONE, BUT if you’re a good candidate, there are LOTS of reasons for choosing Invisalign—and they’re not all simply about going metal-free!

Clear, removable Invisalign trays are a less invasive orthodontic treatment method. With Invisalign technology, your teeth can be straightened without causing inconveniences to your daily life.

Benefits You Probably Didn’t Expect

The most obvious difference between Invisalign treatment and braces is their appearance, but there’s more to it than that. For example...

• Less office visits. We’ll see you only once every 8 - 10 weeks.
• Invisalign trays can sometimes double as whitening trays or protective mouth gear for sports.
• The removable trays allow you to brush and floss normally, which results in better oral health during treatment.
• You can enjoy the foods you choose, without the dietary restrictions of braces.
• The smooth plastic trays are more comfortable, so you won’t deal with the irritation metal brackets sometimes cause.

Straight Teeth Provide More Than A Great Look

Aesthetics aside, having straight teeth is important for a number of reasons. Straight teeth are easier to clean and floss. They also guard against uneven wear, and painful TMD problems. Straighter teeth allow for more efficient chewing and enhance food digestion. Straight teeth can even cause better pronunciation and speech!

Your Treatment Plan Is Personalized To YOUR Smile

Invisalign time and cost are comparable to traditional braces. Every case is unique. Some treatments may be more cost and time effective than traditional braces, some less. Orthodontic treatment is dependent upon the diagnosis, treatment plan and skill of the orthodontist regardless of what treatment modality is used, braces, aligners, or removable active appliances.

To find an orthodontist in your area, visit the American Association of Orthodontists at www.mylifemysmile.org. To find a Board Certified orthodontist in your area visit the American Board of Orthodontists at americanboardortho.com.

Is Invisalign Right For You?

Schedule an appointment with us! We’d love to see what we can do to improve and preserve your beautiful smile. Thanks in advance for your trust. We hope to see you soon!

Board certified orthodontist, Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca of Gorczyca Orthodontics has been providing Invisalign treatment since 1999. We have treated hundred of cases successfully. Call us at (925) 757-9000 for a complimentary Invisalign or Invisalignteen consultation.

Find out if Invisalign is right for you. Here’s to your Invisalign smile!

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

MARCH IS THE SEASON OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL, and at Gorczyca Orthodontics, it is the season of Duke's basketball Coach K.

We Love Coach K!

We just love Coach K! At Gorczyca Orthodontics, we're a team. Just like at basketball team, 5 on the court working together to accomplish a goal, we work together closely and seamlessly at Gorczyca Orthodontics to deliver orthodontic clinical excellence, outstanding customer service, and a great patient experience.

There is no one who knows and describes teamwork better than Coach K. As a team at Gorczyca Orthodontics, Dr. G, Jolene, Veronica, Pam, Roberta, Dana, Gwen, and Patti have followed many of Coach K's leadership and team building principles in the selection and development of their own leadership team.

At Gorczyca Orthodontics, we practice that "Always the truth shall be spoken." We keep our "heads in the game" and believe in occasionally using Coach K's F word: "FOCUS!"

At huddles and in team meetings, Dr. Gorczyca will often think "What would Coach K say?" Coach K is also Polish just like her and has a name "Kryzewski" with many of the same consonants and just as hard to spell.

It's All About Teamwork

At Gorczyca Orthodontics, we spell teamwork TOCARE: Trust, Ownership, Communication, Accountability, Results, and Excellence. This is what Gorczyca Orthodontics strives for as a team every day. These are the characteristics we select for and develop in each of our team members.

To give rival UNC a little attention, Gorczyca Orthodontics also likes legendary basketball coach Roy Williams. Like Coach Williams, Dr. Gorczyca requires "If you want to be part of the team, do something. Be part of the team." Just like Coach Williams, Dr. Gorczyca doesn't allow her team members to "just go through the motions."

There's a lot we can all learn from college basketball. One thing you can be sure of is that you will find an engaged, winning orthodontic team at Gorczyca Orthodontics. Come get your "head in the game" at Gorczyca Orthodontics. Join us for a beautiful smile, straight teeth, teamwork, March Madness, and little Coach K.

Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca, Orthodontist

Gorczyca Orthodontics, 5201 Deer Valley Road, Antioch, CA 925-757-9000, http://www.clubbraces.com/

DO YOU HAVE a teenager not excited about braces? Here's some great news: teenagers can straighten teeth with Invisalign Teen and get great results.

Invisalign Teen Provides More Confidence In Your Smile

Invisalign Teen and your orthodontist will give your teenager a great smile without metal braces. Straight teeth will also give your teenager more confidence with their smile and make them feel terrific.

The Invisalign Teen system is a series of customized, clear trays which gradually move teeth. Orthodontic tooth movement is done by the trays and orthodontic elastics attached to teeth and aligners which help move teeth to an ideal position.

Invisalign Treatment Is Quick And Easy

Average treatment with Invisalign Teen is one to two years. Aligners are comfortable and help maintain good oral hygiene. Invisalign Teen can be removed so teenagers can eat whatever they want. Lastly, the blue dot indicator let's parents and the orthodontist know when trays have been worn the prescribed number of hours.

Your teenager will love Invisalign Teen. Ask us about Invisalign Teen at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California. Find us at www.clubbraces.com or call us at (925) 757-9000 for a complimentary Invisalign consultation.

Give your teenager the gift of Invisalign Teen. Enjoy straight teeth, a beautiful smile, and your time together.

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

CLOTHES, SHOES, PURSE, sunglasses, or jewelry, no matter what your favorite fashion, straight white teeth are your best and most powerful accessory.

Straight White Teeth Light Up A Room

Straight white teeth light up a room or a fashion runway to give you the style and confidence you need with everyone you meet. Wearing red shade lipstick with blue tones will emphasize your teeth even more. When you've had orthodontic treatment, make way for a dazzling designer smile.

If you would like to shop for a new smile style, an orthodontist can help you visualize your new look. Call Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch for a free consultation (925) 757-9000 or find us at www.clubbraces.com To find an orthodontist near you, visit the American Association of Orthodontists at www.mylifemysmile.org.

Your smile is your best fashion accessory. Let your smile be your signature fashion statement.

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.

MOMS ARE BUSY. On the go, preparing breakfast, driving to and from school, taking the kids to their orthodontist appointments and after school events, Moms are usually the last people to take take of themselves or straighten their own teeth.

Invisalign Is Perfect For Moms On The Go!

Now, it's Mom's turn for a beautiful smile. And with Mom's busy lifestyle, Invisalign is the perfect solution for tooth straightening.

Invisalign clear aligners are removable and comfortable to wear. The Invisalign aligners allow Mom to eat whatever she wants. They are easy to live with and will not add additional stress to Mom's life.

Invisalign Makes Everyday Oral Care Easy

Because the Invisalign aligners are removable, brushing and flossing will also be normally done to keep Mom's teeth and gums healthy. Mom can come in for Invisalign appointments every 8 to 10 weeks and speed up her treatment with Acceledent to keep the time in the office and time in treatment to a minimum.

If you are interested in getting Invisalign treatment for yourself or the mother in your life, call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics for a free orthodontic Invisalign consultation. Call us at (925)757-9000 or find us at www.clubbraces.com in Antioch, California.

We love Moms!

Here's to Mom's new Invisalign smile!

A BROAD DENTAL ARCH FORM is crucial to your beautiful smile.

6 Ways Broadening You Arch Can Improve Your Smile

Here are 6 ways broadening your pear shaped dental arch will give you a dazzling new smile.

1. Arch expansion help to correct overjet and overbite making your bite functional.

2. Expansion of dental arches eliminates crossbites which cause cheek biting.

3. Expansion of dental arches helps correct the front to back relationship of your bite.

4. Expansion of dental arches creates space for tooth alignment.

5. Expansion of dental arches makes the canine teeth look beautiful.

6. Expansion of dental arches eliminates black corridors from the corners of your mouth giving you a full and beautiful smile.

Comprehensive orthodontic treatment by an orthodontist with braces or Invisalign expands dental arches.

We'd Love To Answer Your Questions!

If you have questions about expansion of your pear shaped dental arches, call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics (925)757-9000 for a complimentary consultation. Visit us at www.clubbraces.com in Antioch, California.

Your broad dental arches are sure to light up the room. Here's to your dazzling new smile.

COOKIES, CANDY CANES, AND TOFFEE APPLES. Enjoy this holiday season and straighten your teeth at the same time with Invisalign® or Invisalign Teen®.

We Develop A Unique Invisalign Treatment Plan For You

Invisalign is a series of clear, removable trays which move your teeth gradually and gently to their final position. Your orthodontist will develop your diagnosis and treatment plan to give you the best Invisalign orthodontic result possible. Aligners are usually worn 22+ hours per day but can be removed for that special Christmas gingerbread cookie.

Invisalign Is A Comfortable Orthodontic Solution

Invisalign clear aligners are comfortable to wear and easy to live with. They will also let you look great for that special Yuletide gathering. Because the aligners are removable, you can continue to eat your favorite holiday foods. In addition, the removable trays allow you to brush and floss your teeth normally to keep your smile healthy and attractive during this holiday season.

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

Enjoy your favorite festive treats while giving yourself a beautiful new smile this Christmas. Have a Happy Holiday with Invisalign.

ORTHODONTISTS ARE OFTEN ASKED by adult patients seeking straight teeth "Should I do four veneers?"

The answer is "YES!"

Four Veneers Create A Beautiful, Consistent Smile

A single veneer or crown is easy to notice. The shade and translucency is extremely difficult to match to the surrounding teeth.

Four veneers will produce a spectacular consistency of tooth shade and anatomy that will make your teeth look like you're in your twenties. People's reactions to your new smile will be beyond positive. With four veneers, you will feel confident knowing that you and your teeth look their very best.

We Want To Help You Create Happy, Healthy Smile

This case was treated by Orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca. We work closely with general dentists to give you the best smile possible. Find us at www.clubbraces.com or call us at (925) 757-9000. We want to give you the smile of your dreams.

You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. So why take the chance? Say "yes" to four veneers.

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

SEVEN IS THE PERFECT AGE for a child’s first orthodontic examination. Screening at age seven assures that your child’s smile will be healthy and look it’s best for the longest time possible.

Early Detection Can Help Long-term Orthodontic Health

Orthodontic treatment at age seven can minimize the need for more extensive procedures such as extraction of permanent teeth in the future. Straight teeth at age seven will also help with your child's self-esteem— a fragile asset that’s so important when growing up.

What to Expect at the Seven Year Orthodontic Exam

At the seven year orthodontic exam, your orthodontist will evaluate:
1. Overjet and facial profile
2. Overbite and jaw function
3. Underbite and tooth wear
4. Openbite, breathing, and oral habits
5. Crowding, spacing, rotations and tooth alignment
6. Symmmetry and facial balance
7. Crossbite and functional shifts

Be sure to seek early treatment if your child has:
1. Snoring or mouth breathing
2. Difficulty chewing, cheek biting, or jaw shifting
3. Thumb sucking, lip biting, or finger habits
4. Crowding or missing teeth
5. Speech problems
6. Grinding or excessive tooth wear
7. Crooked, spaced, or crowded teeth

This case was treated by Board Certified orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca of Antioch, California. Find us at www.clubbraces.com or call us at (925)757-9000 for a complimentary orthodontic evaluation. To find an orthodontist near you, visit the American Association of Orthodontists at www.mylifemysmile.org.

Give your child a great smile. For your child's first orthodonic exam, seven is the magic number.

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

WE’VE ALL HEARD the sad stories about how patients lose their orthodontic retainers. Over and over again, like lemmings jumping over a cliff, orthodontic patients make the same wrong moves and poof, their retainers are gone.

The Top 6 Ways To Lose Your Retainer

Avoid these actions to maintain your retainer for life.

6. Misplace it on vacation
5. Leave it at a restaurant
4. Lose it at your friend’s house
3. Throw it out at McDonald's wrapped in a paper napkin
2. Leave it out for the dog to eat
1. Throw it out in the lunch room

Retainers need to be worn full-time for a minimum of 3 months after braces removal and then every night for one year after you are brace free to insure a straight and beautiful smile. Retainers should be put in at least one night per week for a lifetime to keep your teeth straight and maintain what you and your orthodontist have worked so hard to achieve.

Keep Your Beautiful Smile For A Lifetime!

These teeth were straightened by orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca of Gorczyca Orthodontics, Antioch, CA. You can find us at www.clubbraces.com or call us at (925) 757-9000 if you have lost your retainers and need new ones.

Keep your retainer out of harm’s way by keeping it in a labeled retainer case. Avoid these actions to save your retainer for life.

IN PREPARATION FOR Dr. Gorczyca’s 2015 Summer Tour to Cleveland and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame she asked the excellent team at Gorczyca Orthodontics "What was your first rock concert?"

Here’s What They Had To Say:

Jolene: I’ve never been to a rock concert. I’m a country girl. I love to listen to Kenny Chesney. If I had gone to my favorite first rock concert, I would have been to see the Beatles or the Beach Boys!

Monica: Garth Brooks was my first rock concert. Does he count for a rock concert?

Veronica: I’ve never been to a rock concert. But, if I had, I would have picked Bruce Springsteen singing “Born in the U. S. A.” but I would have changed the words to “Raised in the U. S. A.”!

Patty: MANA

Ashley: I’ve never been to a rock concert! If I could pick a rock concert, it would be Aerosmith!

Dr. Gorczyca: My first rock concert was Aerosmith. My high school friend Arthur took me because he thought I needed to expand my musical horizons. The concert was at the Providence Rhode Island Civic Center. Being in such a wild and crazy audience was a bit of a “bad scene.” Even so, the concert was a lot of fun!

Later, my high school friend Leslie took me to hear Jethro Tull because I played the flute. The lead singer of this group, Ian Anderson, is an incredible flutist! Amazingly, he sings and plays flute at the same time which gives him a unique flute sound. It was incredible!

Let us know what your first rock concert was and if you are dreaming of beautiful straight teeth, come see us for braces, Invisalign, or retainers at Gorczyca Orthodontics, 5201 Deer Valley Road, in Antioch, CA. Gorczyca. Find us at www.clubbraces.com. Gorczyca Orthodontics ROCKS when it comes to straight teeth!

Dream on.... Dream until your dreams come true.
-Aerosmith

WORDS CAN BARELY EXPRESS the transformation in appearance, confidence, morale, and happiness that comprehensive orthodontic treatment makes in a young person’s life.

Comprehensive orthodontic treatment takes an investment of time and resources, but this investment is priceless. Having a beautiful smile will make a big difference in your life.

At Gorczyca Orthodontics, we love changing lives by improving smiles. We have treated over 10,000 orthodontics cases. Each patient is unique and has their own story. We treat each patient with individualized attention, one at a time, with tender loving care.

Thank you for trusting us to care for your orthodontic needs. We guarantee satisfaction. We value you and the family and friends who you refer.

Visit us at Gorczyca Orthodontics at www.clubbraces.com or on Facebook.

It is our privilege to give you the smile of your dreams. Your smile is our inspiration!