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SOMETIMES FOR THE MOST gorgeous and healthy smile possible, orthodontic tooth extractions are necessary.

5 Situations When Tooth Extraction is Best

Here are a few situations when it would be best to extract teeth with your orthodontic treatment:

1. Teeth are severely crowded with 10mm and the bone and periodontal soft tissue cannot accommodate expansion.
2. There is a severe open bite which can be reduced and corrected by tooth extraction.
3. The lips are severely protrusive or open at rest.
4. The chin has strain at rest when the lips close, giving it a "golf ball" appearance.
5. There is a severe overjet with upper teeth extremely protrusive.

Extractions are less common in young patients who are still growing and are able to have arch expansion and growth modification.

Tooth Extraction Can Be A Simple Process

Tooth extraction is usually done by an oral surgeon. Depending on their training and experience, some general dentists may also extract permanent teeth.

The extraction of bicuspids and other teeth (not including wisdom teeth) is usually simple. It is usually done quickly. With anesthesia, there is usually no discomfort. Once home, be sure to eat soft food and avoid using a straw immediately following the procedure. There is no need to miss school following the procedure.

At Gorczyca Orthodontics, we try to minimize tooth extraction as much as possible. To find out if tooth extraction is absolutely necessary for you, visit us at www.clubbraces.com or call us at (925) 757-9000. To find an orthodontist in your area, visit the America Association of Orthodontists at www.mylifemysmile.org. To find an oral surgeon in your area visit the American Association of Oral Surgeons at www.aaos.org.

Thank you for trusting us with your orthodontic care. Here's to your beautiful smile.

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

CANDY APPLES, also know as toffee apples, are whole apples on a stick covered in a sugar candy coating or hard toffee. They are a common treat throughout the world.

The Origin of The Candy Apple

Invented in 1908 by a candy shop owner William Kolb in Newark, New Jersey, candy apples have been popular worldwide for over one hundred years. They are found at amusement parks, circuses, along the Jersey Shore, and on New York's Coney Island. Kids love candy apples.

Candy apples are a tradition in many countries. They are called pommes d'amour (apples of love) in Brazil and France. They are called Tanghulu in China and are popular at Japanese festivals. In Germany, they are associated with the Christmas season. In Israel, they are sold at Yom Ha'atzmaut eve (Israel Independence Day). In the U.K., they are associated with Bonfire Night. In the U.S., Canada, and Australia, candy apples continue to be associated with fairs and carnivals and may also be served at Halloween.

They may also be the world's #1 orthodontic hazard.

Candy Apples Can Do Serious Damage To Braces

Eating a candy apple is one sure way to break off all of your orthodontics brackets. Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca, Orthodontist at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California learned about the orthodontic hazard of candy apples orthodontic the hard way. While in braces during the seventh grade, she bit into a candy apple at the Lincoln Park Amusement Park in Westport, Massachusetts.

“All my friends bought candy apples. Though in braces, I bought one, too. Tempted by this childhood delicacy, I took a bite. I still remember, vividly, the feeling and sound of my beloved braces crackling and breaking off my teeth! My dear orthodontist, Dr. Lawrence Oliveira of New Bedford, Massachuetts, was so upset with me! When I returned to his office for my bracket repair and replacement, he was so troubled, he could barely speak! I hope I can save other orthodontic patients from this unfortunate occurrence!”

Be Sure To Look Out For Your Braces!

Take care of your braces at amusement parks and during Halloween. Save the candy apple for the braces removal celebration on debond day when your braces are removed at your orthodontist's office.

To find an orthodontist in your area or near an amusement park you may visit, go to the American Association of Orthodontists at www.mylifemysmile.org.

BOBBING FOR APPLES is a game often played on Halloween. Fill a large tub with water and less dense apples will float. Catch the apples with your teeth with your hands behind your back. What fun!

Bobbing for Apples Around the World

Bobbing is called "dooking" (i.e. ducking) in Scotland. In Northern England, bobbing for apples is called apple ducking or duck-apple. In Ireland, mainly in Kerry County, apple bobbing is known as Snap Apple. In Newfoundland and Labrador, Snap Apple Night is Halloween.

The tradition of bobbing for apples dates back to the Roman invasion of Britain. Young unmarried people would try to bite into the apple by either bobbing for or eating an apple hanging on the string. Those who were successful were thought to be the next to marry.

Bobbing For Apples? Braces Beware!

If you have braces, DON'T play bobbing for apples! Your braces will break off. This is no fun at all! You will need to go back to your orthodontic office for an emergency appointment. This may produce upset parents and teachers. There may even be an orthodontic charge to replace your carelessly broken braces. YIKES!

Look On The Bright Side

Although you cannot bob for apples with braces, look on the bright side. By not bobbing for apples, you will be avoiding an unsanitary game where a number of individuals have placed their entire heads, mouths, and saliva into the same bowl of water. In addition, you will avoiding the Roman belief that you will be marrying soon, in addition to not breaking your orthodontic brackets.

Gorczyca Orthodontics, Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca, Antioch, California 929-757-9000 www.clubbraces.com

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

YOU NEVER GET a second chance to make a good first impression. Many young people say braces were the best thing that ever happened to them. Many parents report that braces had a very positive impact on their child's confidence and self-esteem. Who doesn't want to look and feel their best?

A Smile Can Affect All Aspects Of Your Life

Parents: your child's smile will affect how they feel, who they date, who they marry, what type of job they get, and ultimately how successful they may be in life. That's why at Gorczyca Orthodontics, we are passionate about giving young people the orthodontic treatment they need for the happiest and most successful life possible.

Dr. Gorczyca has over 25 years of orthodontic experience and our professional team has over 100 combined years of knowledge in delivering orthodontic satisfaction . We have treated over 10,000 happy patients. We understand what your child's straight teeth mean to them and to you.

We Help Create Happy And Healthy Smiles

Advanced orthodontics can give your child amazing results. We create a personalized orthodontic solution to your child's unique needs. Call us today at (925) 757-9000 or visit us at www.clubbraces.com to schedule your child's complimentary orthodontic evaluation.

Parents: whatever your child's orthodontic needs, we're here to help. You will be very happy with the way your child looks after orthodontic treatment. People's reaction to your child's smile will be beyond positive and everyone will feel great.