Our Blog

YOUR SMILE IS AN expression of who you are. It is that special thing that greets a friend, celebrates all of life’s joyful moments, and makes someone’s day that much brighter. We know how important your smile is to you and those around you. That’s why Dr. Gorczyca is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), so we can always provide the best and most up-to-date care to our patients!

What Is The AAO?

All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. Orthodontists go to four years of dental school, and beyond that, two to three more years of a full-time graduate school residency program to specialize in orthodontics. Orthodontists are experts in straightening and aligning teeth to create healthy, beautiful smiles for all of our patients.

The American Association of Orthodontists is the world’s oldest and largest dental specialty organization. Only the orthodontists that have received a rigorous education at an accredited orthodontics specialty program can be granted membership in the AAO. Because Dr. Gorczyca is an AAO member, you can trust that all orthodontic treatment performed at our practice meets the highest standards of quality, ethics and aesthetics.

What Does Being An AAO Member Mean For Our Patients?

Providing orthodontic treatment is not just straightening teeth. Excellent and comprehensive orthodontic treatment requires a scientific and artistic working knowledge of functional occlusion (bite function), TMJ form and function, growth and development of the jaws and teeth, material science of the appliances used, and the biology of tooth movement bio-mechanics. It's not just gluing braces onto teeth. And, it can't be learned in a weekend course. This is why it is so important to have your orthodontic treatment done by an educated orthodontist who is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists.

Harm can be done by moving teeth too fast, moving teeth to an unstable position, or not maintaining teeth in a stable position for a long enough time prior to braces removal. This is especially true when teeth are moved in the direction of coming farther into the mouth (extrusion). Time needs to be given to allow the bone to remodel around the new tooth position. Full stability around teeth moved by orthodontics takes one year to reach it's maximum strength. This is why wearing your retainer when braces are removed is so important. Your orthodontist will monitor your teeth during this retention period.

Only graduates of orthodontic residency programs can be members of the American Association of Orthodontists. Only orthodontists can call themselves orthodontists. It is important for the public be aware that orthodontists receive extensive training and continuing educational training throughout their careers in order to be able to provide the best orthodontic care possible to their patients.

We Go The Extra Mile For Our Patients

Our number one priority is our patients’ safety and satisfaction. We’re always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that we are providing the best care to every single person who comes into our office!

As an AAO member, Dr. Gorczyca is constantly improving her skills and learning how to better serve you. Why? Because you deserve the smile of your dreams, and we’re here to make that dream a reality!

To find an orthodontists near you, visit the American Association of Orthodontists at www.mylifemysmile.org or call Gorczyca Orthodontics at (925)757-9000 in Antioch, California.

When it comes to braces, aligners, and retainers, an AAO orthodontist is the smart choice.

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.

DARK CHOCOLATE MAY not just be good for Valentine's Day gift, it may also be good year round for health, attention, and alertness.

Dark Chocolate Has Many Health Benefits

A study at Northern Arizona University reveals that the intake of dark chocolate with at least 60 caco can improve attention span and increase alertness.

"Chocolate is indeed a stimulant and it activates the brain in a really special way," said Dr. Larry Stevens, professor of psychological sciences at Northern Arizona University. "It can increase brain characteristics of attention, and it also significantly affects blood pressure levels."

The results of the study for 122 participants who ate 60 percent caco dark chocolate were tested by EEG. Results showed that the brain was more alert and attentive and blood pressure also increased for a short time in participants after eating 60 percent cacao dark chocolate.

Choose Dark Chocolate This Valentine's Day!

When choosing chocolate hearts this Valentine's Day, go for the dark chocolate 60% high-cacao plus. Regular chocolate with high sugar and milk won't be as good. Keep your loves attention and your relationship out of a slump. Go for the the high-cacao chocolate for the best Valentine's yet.

Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at Gorczyca Orthodontics, 5201 Deer Valley Road, Suite 1A, Antioch, California 94531 (925) 757-9000 Find us at www.clubbraces.com.

THE DEER VALLEY PROFESSIONAL BUILDING has a new dentist in town. Dr. Nathan Simarro has joined his twin brother Ryan in the practice of Miller and Simarro. Ryan is older than Nathan by a mere six minutes. Nonetheless, he is the oldest of the Dr. Simarro twins. I guess their practice will now be called Miller and the Simarro Brothers!

A Brief History Of The Simarro Brothers

Dr. Miller was originally an associate of Dr. Jim Green who built the Deer Valley Dental Professional Building at 5201 Deer Valley Road, in Antioch. Dr. Ryan Simarro joined the practice of Dr. Mark Miller in 2013. Dr. Nathan Simarro took one year off before dental school to study Spanish language and culture at Alcala de Heneares in Madrid, Spain. After dental school, he practiced at a nonprofit, Las Clinicas del Camino Real in Ventura, California. This week he was reunited with his twin in their practice in Antioch, California.

The Simarro dental twins are graduates of Deer Valley High School located right next door to their dental practice. Now, many of their high school teachers are their patients!

The Simarro Brothers Love To Give Back

Giving back to the community which they came from is very important to Drs. Ryan and Nathan Simarro. Their family has been rooted in Antioch and Brentwood for over 60 years. They are happy to see new patients many of whom are neighbors, classmates, family, and friends.

Drs. Ryan and Nathan bring difference strengths to their joint practice based on their varied experiences and educational background. Ryan is very cosmetically focused and one of the only providers of Lumineers; and in 2016 was the #1 Lumineer provider in the the San Francisco Bay Area. Nathan enjoys working with children and has seen young patients as early as one month old.

Together, Drs. Simarro are also providing All on Four dentistry offering dental implants and full mouth reconstruction to dental patients with extensive dental needs.

Help Us Welcome Our Dental Neighbors!

We are so happy to have the Drs. Simarro at The Deer Valley Dental Professional Building. Find them at www.millerandsimarrodentalcare.com or call them at (925)754-6020.

Here's to your dental health!

IT'S BEEN A FEW YEARS SINCE I happened upon the Facebook post from the Chicago Midwinter Dental Meeting reading "Girls, stay in school." Having sparse historical background on it's creator, Dr. Howard Farran, I was intrigued to follow this dentist of modern times. Little did I know that I had stumbled upon the King of Dental Social Media.

Dr. Farran Has A Wealth Of Accomplishments

Looking back, it is unbelievable what Dr. Howard Farran has accomplished in the past 6 years. In awe I watched his dental social media empire grow from his first tweet to 19.6K Followers. He makes 70 Instagram posts in a single day, keeps 263,961 Facebook followers engaged, while maintaining more Pinterest boards than dentistry has specialities, with 45,005 entertained Followers.

As if superhuman, when not at his dental practice, or Farran Media, publishers of Dentaltown, Hygienetown, and Orthotown magazines, Dr. Farran:

• Writes books,
• Has taped over 600+ podcasts for Dentistry Uncensored,
• And travels all corners of the world lecturing about dentistry.

His talks are so entertaining that audience members experience stomach pain from laughter and smile until their faces hurt. Then when his work is done, Dr. Farran runs an IronMan.

But like King Arthur, what is most impressive about the Farranian legend is Dr. Howard Farran's good qualities which he uses to give a voice to those often not heard by dentistry. He does this with courage, charisma, humility, loyalty, honor, and faith.

Dr. Farran's mission is simple: "To connect every dentist on earth so no dentist will ever have to practice solo again." This he has achieved in legendary style as the King of Dental Social Media.

Thank You Dr. Farran

I am thankful for great people like Dr. Howard Farran. They truly make the world a better place. Here lie the power and benefits of social media.

Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca is an orthodontist at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California. She is author of the books "It All Starts with Marketing" and "Beyond the Morning Huddle".