2013...the Winning Year!

We don't know about you but the word "resolution" brings a feeling of defeat! As we sit at the beginning of a new year, we've set some goals that we can absolutely achieve to make 2013 a winning year all the way around!

During our recent team retreat in Las Vegas, one of the goals the DiCiccio Orthodontics team members set for themselves was to Improve Our Health. This includes getting in good physical shape through exercise and an improved diet. We think that an improved smile is part of this as well. A beautiful smile makes you look younger and improves your self-confidence. A healthy mouth is also a good indicator of overall well-being. Be sure to let us know if we can help you achieve this goal for yourself.

Another goal we decided upon was to Balance Our Budget. We decided to take some time to look where we might be able to cut back and keep those extra pennies in our own wallet. Maybe this means one less Starbucks per week or eliminating extra movie channels we never have time to watch. These added pennies might be just the ones we need to help accomplish the other goals we have set.

One of our continued goals is to Pay It Forward. This goal includes getting involved in our community and doing something for someone else. We enjoy being involved in local philanthropic organizations and look for opportunities every day to show a kindness or do something for someone else. Not only does it make us realize how good our life really is, but it helps make our community a better place. 

With today's busy lifestyle, one goal that we felt was very important was to take time to Relax and Reflect. If this goal is not made a priority, those cherished moments to yourself are quickly eaten up by never-ending chores or the "to-do list" that is a mile long. The world of technology makes it too easy to work 24/7. This precious time gives us the opportunity to prioritize and goes a long way towards reducing the stress of life.

To become the best we can be, one of our goals is to Connect with Our Faith. Each of us has our own set of beliefs that determine our actions. No matter what your faith, it is important to listen to that still, small voice inside. With a strengthened faith, we know we have the tools and confidence to deal with whatever challenges may come our way. 

Last but not least, we challenged ourselves to Do Something New. Whether it's finding a new hobby, exploring a new place, or learning a new skill, we think it is important to stimulate our minds and grow through new experiences. Our team has set their eyes on some fun new experiences for this year. Don't be afraid to ask them what their "new thing" for the year is.

All in all...when we look at our goals, they seem pretty do-able! Especially when we aren't using the "R" word. We challenge you to set some goals as well. We know this coming year is going to be a winning year for us, we hope it is for you too! 

We give you the challenge..."Have the courage to begin and the determination to win!" ~Sinead Duffy 

Want to Win FREE Braces???

Of course you do!

DiCiccio Orthodontics is excited to announce our new contest for 2013 and anyone can play!

In January, we will begin distributing car magnets like the one you see to the right. Starting March 1, 2013, our team will become the "magnet police" around town. They will be on the look out for your vehicle bearing the magnet. If they spot you, they will let you know by placing a card on your car.

To enter the drawing, simply fill out the card and return it to us. Each month, 4 cards will be selected to win a $25 Amazon gift card. One lucky winner will be drawn to win the yearly grand prize of FREE BRACES!  It's as simple as that!!

To get your magnets, simply stop by the office.  Feel free to give them to family and friends. We hope to SPOT you all over town. 

Disclaimer: There is no cash value associated with this contest and no refunds will be issued.  

The Unique YOU

Did you know that your smile is totally unique, just like your fingerprint?  There is no one else in the world just like you.

DiCiccio Orthodontics is now offering a treatment option to our patients using one of the latest breakthroughs in orthodontic technology...Insignia™. This remarkable system creates orthodontic appliances specifically for your unique anatomy!

While standard orthodontic appliances are made to treat a wide variety of patients, Insignia uses special 3-D imaging software to digitally create virtual models of your teeth.  The specialized software calculates what your optimal bite and smile should be.  These calculations are used to determine how each bracket should be cut, depending on the angle of your teeth and the shape of your arch.  The prescribed brackets are placed on your teeth using custom jigs to determine the optimal location for each bracket.  Custom designed archwires are then inserted.  All this means...shorter treatment time, fewer office visits and greater comfort.

Dr. DiCiccio is proud to be one of the select number of clinicians who is certified to use and chosen to offer Insignia's cutting edge technology.  Ask us today how you can enjoy your very own custom-designed Insignia smile.

Check out this video to see exactly how the Insignia system works!

2012 almost PAST, the FUTURE...well

All of us at DiCiccio Orthodontics...LOVE...the holidays! It gives us another opportunity to say thank you for your confidence and continued support.  We love the opportunity of working with our amazing patients and their families and for this opportunity we are so grateful!   

Exciting things have happened around the office this PAST year, let's see if we can highlight a few...

• Our PATIENT REWARDS HUB program was launched and is really working well!
• We added an amazing, new, long-term team member, Karrissa.
• Our media and theater system has expanded, including new TV's in the ceiling so that patients can watch during their appointment!
• Introduced our Insignia Bracket System, totally customized brackets and wires for the ultimate patient treatment option.
• Our "Smile for a Lifetime-Fresno/Clovis" chapter got it's first media exposure and applications are starting to come in.
• Dr. D and the team attended several education and training conferences to stay on the cutting edge of orthodontics.
• We increased our "pay in full" option from 3% to 5% for those that don't want to hassle monthly payments.
• Customer service and communications are at their all time best!

And just so you know...the excitement continues next year!  Here is a sneak preview of some of the bigger things you can expect...

• Our new "genius bar"will be ready for our patients to enjoy while waiting to be seated for their appointment.
• Want to win FREE BRACES...look for our magnet contest.
• Wheel of Fortune...DiCiccio style. Look and listen for it!
• DiCiccio Orthodontics on wheels...look for it around town.
• New and improved WEBSITE
• Increased treatment efficiency methods, so our patients can achieve their treatment goals with better results, more comfortably, and in fewer visits.

We hope this gets you as excited about things around the office as it does us.  As the year winds down, we wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.  We look forward to seeing you next year!

Sack Lunch

Packing a lunch for school this year? Be sure to take your braces into consideration when putting that food in your sack! There are lots of good, healthy foods that will give you energy and are also easy on your appliances. You don't want to miss out on your fun activities because you have to spend time in our office getting your braces repaired.  

When it comes to lunch foods, sandwiches are usually a good choice. You can tear off small pieces if it is difficult to bite into. And who doesn't like fruit? Be sure to cut your fruit into very small pieces...same goes for the veggies. Stay away from the hard, crunchy or gooey snack foods and chips. Instead you might think of choosing soft energy bars, peanut butter and crackers, or fruit cups and pudding.

Be sure to keep a toothbrush in your backpack and clean those braces after you eat. You want to keep your teeth and gums healthy. (Besides your friends don't want to look at the lunch remains in your braces the rest of the day!) If you do break something and need a repair, be sure to call our office and let us know so that we can schedule enough time to get it fixed. If you just show up at your appointment without letting us know, we might not have time to make the repair, which means an additional appointment. We want to get you back to school as soon as possible. Here's to a great, emergency free school year!

Can Dental X-rays cause Brain Cancer?

The release of a recent  article, on the possible link between dental x-rays and brain cancer published in the journal Cancer,  has created quite a lot of discussion in the media and the dental community. I would like to share a review of this research done by an orthodontist friend of mine who practices in Litchfield Park, Arizona. I hope you find the  information helpful and that it answers some of the questions you may have. I would love to hear any feedback.
~ Dr. Pat DiCiccio 


Dr. John Graham DDS, MD:
As you may have heard by now, an article has just been published in the journal Cancer that has been picked up by the NY Times, CNN, FOX and most major news outlets. As you might imagine, we all have a responsibility to our patients to practice impeccable radiation hygiene, and maintain the principles of ALARA in our practices.  All of that being said, I wish to give you my take on this research:

STUDY BACKGROUND AND BASICS:
As stated in the background statement: “Ionizing radiation is a consistently identified and potentially modifiable risk factor for meningioma, which is the most frequently reported primary brain tumor in the United States.

The primary author of the article, Elizabeth Claus, MD, PhD, a faculty member in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at Yale University School of Medicine, postulates that because dental x-rays are the most common form of ionizing radiation – a cause/effect relationship exists.

The study is based on self-reported dental radiation histories of 1433 patients who were diagnosed with meningioma, as compared to the self-reported dental radiation histories of 1350 controls.

For those with tumors, the location of the tumors was subdivided into supratentorial vs. infratentorial as well as those with skull base tumors.

Subjects were interviewed over the phone for an average of 52 minutes by independent examiners. Participants were questioned about the onset, frequency and type of dental care received over their lifetime, including orthodontic work, endodontic work, dental implants, and dentures.

Participants were asked to report the number of times they had received bitewing, full-mouth, or panoramic films during 4 periods: Less than 10 years, 10-19, 20-49 and over 50 years.

FINDINGS:
Over a lifetime cases were more than twice as likely as controls to report ever having had a bitewing.
Significantly elevated risk was observed across all ages except those older than 50.
Individuals who report to have received bitewings were at a greater risk than those who reported having full-mouth x-rays.

Panoramic films were less frequently reported than bitewings or full-mouth series.
Significant increases in the risk of meningiomas was associated with young age at receipt of screening x-rays.
Those with meningiomas were no more likely to have had CT scans than controls.

MY THOUGHTS:
This study is fraught with troubling variables that, on their own cast significant doubt as to the validity of the study, but when compounded really degrade the veracity of any of its findings.

Let’s just talk about two:
FIRST: This is a self-reported study.  This study doesn’t examine ANY dental records. Only medical records are used, and this is only  to identify the tumor cohort.  As such, the study wholly relies upon the memories of subjects going back before the age of ten.  Let’s think for a moment about an individual who unfortunately has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.  A tough, tragic and shocking diagnosis to anyone.  Even before contacted by examiners to participate in the study, I wouldn’t be surprised if those with tumors hadn’t already spent a lot of time thinking about why they might have had a brain tumor.  More than any other tumor in the body, thinking about dental radiation would be a natural mental exercise.  Thinking about ANY radiation around the face, head and neck in an individuals past would be something I would expect from any patient with a brain tumor.  Now, have an examiner call by phone, and spend 50 minutes discussing their history of dental x-rays…. it wouldn’t surprise me at all to think that the bias in the patient would lean towards a more acute recollection of dental x-rays.  Think about it as compared to an individual control who never gave it any thought at all until the examiner posed the dental x-ray questions. THE COMPARISON OF THESE TWO COHORTS OF PATIENTS BASED ONLY ON PERSONAL REPORT SHOULD RAISE SERIOUS QUESTIONS AS TO THE VALIDITY OF THIS STUDY.

SECOND:  The time span which this study encompasses includes (and heavily weights) radiation delivered prior to the common use of digital radiography or even faster speed films.  In my opinion it is safe to say that radiation delivered today is a fraction of what it was during the scope of time covered with this study.  THIS FACT ALONE SHOULD ALLOW ALL PRACTITIONERS TO CONFIDENTLY DISCUSS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TODAY’S RADIOGRAPHIC STUDIES VS. THE CONCLUSIONS DERIVED FROM THIS STUDY.

THIRD: NO CORRELATION BETWEEN CT STUDIES AND MENINGIOMAS WAS MADE WITH THIS STUDY. QUOTING FROM THE STUDY “TO OUR KNOWLEDGE, NO STUDIES HAVE REPORTED ON THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN USE OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) AND MENINGIOMA RISK…. IT IS NOTEWORTHY THAT CASES (OF HEMANGIOMA) WERE NO MORE LIKELY TO HAVE RECEIVED A HEAD CT THAN CONTROLS.”

FOURTH – AND THE MOST TROUBLING FOR THE AUTHORS OF THE STUDY: There was a statistically significant increased risk of hemangioma for patients who reported having bitewing radiographs, yet no statistically significant increase for patients with full-mouth films.  THIS CONFOUNDING FINDING IN THE STUDY IS NOT ADDRESSED BY THE AUTHORS, AND FLYS IN THE FACE OF THEIR CONCLUSIONS. VERY, VERY TROUBLING, YET NEVER ADDRESSED. IT MAKES NO SENSE WHATSOEVER.

FIFTH (CIRCLING BACK TO THE FIRST) - The problems with this study are discussed in the paper: “Limitations of this study include the possibility of either under-reporting or over-reporting of dental x-rays by study participants.” YA THINK? WHAT IF UNDER REPORTING BY HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS AND OVER REPORTING OF AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS OCCURRED IN THIS STUDY?  IT CAN’T BE AND ISN’T DISPUTED IN THE PAPER THAT THIS IS POSSIBLE.  WHAT IF THE OVER/UNDER REPORTING BIAS ERASES ALL STATISTICAL SIGNIFICANCE?

Please read this study stem to stern and become familiar with its findings, the strengths and the weaknesses.  I’ll help you with this: The only strength in the study is the number of patients.  Large numbers gives any study statistical POWER.  Yet without truth in the variate, even POWERFUL studies aren’t valid.

Dr. John Graham

www.litchfieldparkortho.com
www.facebook.com/grahamortho

5 Stars ★★★★★

A fabulous smile will benefit you for the rest of your life. Not only does a stable, healthy smile help maintain your general overall  health but it gives you confidence that will help you succeed. Choosing the right orthodontist to treat your family is a very important decision.

We have been told by our patients and their families that one of the most helpful things they did when trying to make their decision was to read the reviews on Google. So here is where you can help us...

Click on this link to Google Maps:

1. Type DiCiccio Orthodontics in the search window, then click on our name.
2. Click the Write a review link located under the address.
3. Give your review a title and rating. Be sure to give us a 5 star rating if you feel we deserve it.
4. Click Save.