Changing a Life

Don't take your beautiful smile for granted! No matter whether you came by it through good genetics or the services of an orthodontist, be grateful; it is a gift. For many, a beautiful smile is only a dream.

Here is what a beautiful, healthy smile can do for you...

• give you self confidence
• make you successful
• tell others you are outgoing 
• make you more attractive
• inspire hope
• change your life

For these reasons and others too...DiCiccio Orthodontics is proud to be associated with an amazing organization called Smile for a Lifetime. This non-profit organization, provides orthodontic care for deserving, young people. Our Fresno/Clovis chapter was founded by Dr. DiCiccio in February of 2011 and we are proud to say that we are currently changing the lives of 10 young people in our community! 

Our mission is to find young people who have a need for braces that are between the ages of 11 and 17. These individuals must be successful students that participate in school and local activities, but do not have the means to attain the orthodontic care they need. Our hope is that through the increased self-confidence of a beautiful smile that they are motivated to achieve their goals and to give back to the community. All of the individuals that receive an orthodontic scholarship are required to "pay it forward" by participating in 40 hours of community service during their time in treatment. 

If you know of someone who might qualify for the gift of a smile and they live in the Fresno/Clovis, CA area, please forward them to the DiCiccio Orthodontics website. If you are not in this area, but would like to know if there is a chapter in your area, please visit the National Smile for a Lifetime website.

The Fresno/Clovis chapter awards 12 orthodontic scholarships per year. Our local board of directors selects the recipients on a quarterly basis, so applications are always being accepted. The application and requirements are located at www.DiCiccioOrtho.com. 

If you would like to keep current with what is going on in our local chapter, please "LIKE" the Smile for a Lifetime-Fresno/Clovis Facebook. 

Please take a minute to look at the story of one of our recent scholars...

Invisalign Event for 21 and Older

We invite you to join us for an INVISALIGN® ADULT SPECIAL EVENT 

Thursday, April 18^th  from 4 – 7 p.m. This exclusive "by reservation" event is for patients and friends of patients 21 years and older ONLY. 

Dr. Pat DiCiccio will be providing FREE consultations to answer your questions about Invisalign treatment, the clear way to straighten teeth. If you have wondered if Invisalign is right for you, make an appointment for this special event.

THERE’S NOTHING LIKE AN INVISALIGN SMILE

* Bring a friend  

* Food, beverages, prizes and more.
* Complimentary Consultation
* $500 off Treatment if started during the event
* $300 off Treatment if started by June 15, 2013

Call us at (559) 225-2251 to reserve your spot. Only a limited number of reservations are available.

The Wisdom of Having That Tooth Removed

Long about the time you get done with high school and are getting ready to move into your next phase of life, you will most likely hear that it is time to get your wisdom teeth out. It's kind of like a "rite of passage" it seems. But is this really necessary to have the wisdom teeth removed?

The "third molars" become visible on an X-ray between 10 and 15 years of age and become a concern to your dentist and orthodontist just about the time you are finishing high school (around age 17). This is generally the age where the wisdom teeth begin to erupt and can cause discomfort in some patients. But why do they need to come out? I have heard that they will make the teeth crooked, is this true?

Wisdom teeth have taken a bad "rap" for causing the teeth to get crooked after the braces come off. There are several reasons why the teeth can shift but studies have shown that it is not caused by the wisdom teeth, so this is not the primary reason to have the teeth removed. There are however, other problems that can be created that give us a legitimate reason to want them removed.

The primary reason for taking out the wisdom teeth is that there is just not enough room for them. This can mean that the teeth stay in the bone or "impacted", or that they can only come in part of the way, which we call "partially impacted." Both of these scenarios can have negative side effects. If the teeth are fully impacted, there is a chance that a cyst can form around the tooth, causing damage to the bone, nerves, and the other teeth. If the tooth is partially impacted, there is a greater chance for infection and decay to occur.

The second reason to have the wisdom teeth out is that they are difficult to care for. It is hard to clean the area effectively so the chance of gum disease and cavities is greater. If decay occurs, it is difficult for the dentist to fix as well. And even if there is sufficient space for them, because of the risk of gum disease and decay, it might be suggested that you have them removed.

Keep in mind, part of the reason behind having the teeth removed around age 17 is that the teeth are still somewhat in their forming stage. The surgery is easier, both for the patient and the oral surgeon, to remove the teeth before the roots have completely formed. So if you are undecided, this might be a good reason to do it now rather than later.

Simply speaking, if there is plenty of space and they are healthy, by all means keep them.  But if there is a chance for negative side effects, it is probably in your best interest to have them taken out.