The Hunt is ON

Wanna go on a scavenger hunt! Here's your chance to not only check out our brand NEW website but earn some reward points too!

From our NEW site you can watch some great patient videos, learn about our team, treatment options, and much more. Stay connected by following us on all our social media sites...you won't want to miss any of it. And did you know...ALL of the photos on the site are our actual patients! No models were used.

Here's all you have to do...answer the questions on the scavenger hunt entry form and return it to us. All returned forms with 9-12 correct answers will be awarded 25 reward points. Entries with all 12 questions answered correctly will be entered into a drawing to win 50 additional reward points! Only one entry per patient will be accepted. All forms must be returned by April 30th to qualify for points.

Sound like fun? Let's get started...

Click HERE for Scavenger Hunt Entry Form

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.

The Reality of Retainers

You've done it! You got your braces off and have been given your retainers. Now it is up to you to keep your smile beautiful.

The fact is that throughout your lifetime, even if you have had orthodontic treatment, you can expect that your teeth will shift. The changes in tooth position are not a failure of your orthodontic treatment but a natural process of life. But you have the power to control and limit these changes by wearing your retainers as instructed.

Your orthodontist will give you instructions on how your retainers should be worn. Most likely, at the beginning, you will be asked to wear them all the time unless you are eating or brushing. After a short time, you will be instructed to wear them at nighttime only. And you should wear them indefinitely. Yes, that means the rest of your life! Although the movement may only be slight, your teeth will not stay perfectly straight unless you wear your retainers.

But why do they move you ask? Well...there are various forces that cause the teeth to shift. This  includes wear of the teeth from chewing, new fillings and crowns, and changes in the bones and muscles of your face as you age. These changes are sometimes only slight and happen very gradually. The retainer can minimize the effects of these forces by holding the teeth in their current position.

You have done the hard part...this part is easy! Take care of your retainers and your retainers will take care of you! Remember, a retainer will not straighten your teeth. It will only maintain the current position of your teeth. So if you lose your retainer or it gets broken, be sure to get it replaced as soon as possible.

Which Toothbrush Do I Choose?

Choosing the right toothbrush is no easy task! There are seemingly hundreds to choose from. And when you have braces, it makes the choice that much harder. Since brushing is the single most important thing you can do to maintain healthy teeth and gums, choosing the right toothbrush is very important.

Here are some important factors to consider when choosing a toothbrush...

• Purchase a brush with soft bristles. The soft bristles help remove the plaque better without damaging the enamel or injuring the gums.
• Make sure the toothbrush is not too large. A smaller brush head will make it easier to get into the smaller spaces between the teeth and around your braces.
• It is important to replace your toothbrush about every 3 months. And if you are wearing braces, you may need to replace it even sooner. Worn bristles become less effective at removing the plaque from your teeth.
• Consider purchasing an electric toothbrush.

While it is possible to do an adequate job brushing using a manual toothbrush, for someone who is wearing braces, the use of an electric toothbrush definitely has it's advantages. Because the electric brush moves itself, more focus can be placed on how the brush is angled, allowing the patient to do a better job. There is also a tendency to not brush as hard, so there is less injury to the gums and less gum recession. Patients are often more motivated to use an electric toothbrush; it makes brushing a little more fun!

For our patients at DiCiccio Orthodontics, we highly recommend the Phillips Sonicare toothbrush. This toothbrush has been clinically proven to remove plaque from the teeth and braces much better than a regular toothbrush. The sonic technology creates a unique brushing action which drives fluid between the teeth, along the gumline and around the braces to clean more effectively. Another great advantage is that the Sonicare has a 2 minute timer to help ensure that you are brushing for the proper length of time.

The Braun Oral-B toothbrush is another popular electric toothbrush that gets good reviews. The motion of the Oral-B is different from that of the Sonicare. The Oral-B has an oscillatory motion, while the Sonicare has a vibrating movement. Both toothbrushes perform well, however for someone with braces, in our opinion, the Sonicare would be the toothbrush of choice.

Get a Gold Medal Smile

What kid doesn't want to be an Olympic star? Not only can these athletes inspire our kids to "go for the gold" but this year they will be inspiring them to "Get a Gold Medal Smile". February is National Children's Dental Health Month. What better time to give your kids a refresher course on what it takes to keep their smile healthy and beautiful!

Good oral hygiene is important during all fazes of life but never more important than when your child is wearing braces! At DiCiccio Orthodontics, we put a HUGE emphasis on healthy teeth and gums. Our patients earn double the points for getting a "good grade" on their oral hygiene, not to mention the points they earn for seeing their general dentist for regular check-ups.

So just what does it take to keep a smile healthy and beautiful? If you are wearing or have worn braces, you have accomplished the first step! Straight teeth not only look great and make you feel proud of yourself, they are also much easier to keep clean. If your teeth are in proper alignment, food is generally directed away from the gum line and it is much easier to brush all the surfaces of your teeth.

If you haven't worn braces, that is a great place to start! Our office would be happy to schedule a complimentary consultation to get the ball rolling. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child be seen by an orthodontic specialist by the age of 7. There are many developments things that the specialist can see. You will then be guided to the proper timing of treatment for your child. Keep in mind, you do not have to be referred by a general dentist to take this very important step.

Here are some other things that you can do to get that "Gold Medal Smile" and keep it that way.

• Brush twice a day
• Clean between your teeth daily
• Visit your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings
• Wear a mouthguard when playing sports
• Stay away from sugary, carbonated beverages
• Chew sugarless gum
• Limit your snacks and eat healthy foods
• Make sure your child has an evaluation by an orthodontic specialist by age 7

It's really NOT that difficult to "Get a Gold Medal Smile" but it does take some discipline and a little bit of work each day. It is not that much different than "going for the gold" I guess!  And it is definitely worth the effort!