fayetteville ny orthodontist

Great question! When you first come in for your initial consultation, Dr. Catania will conduct a comprehensive examination to assess your oral health. This will better enable us to determine the best treatment method for you.

Your orthodontic evaluation will consist of an oral and facial examination to assess your oral health. We will have you take intraoral and facial photographs as well as panoramic and cephalometric X-rays to help determine the proper orthodontic treatment method. Then, an impression of your teeth and bite will be taken to construct a model of your mouth. (This will help us when examining your diagnostic records).

At your second appointment, Dr. Catania will discuss your options with you. Our team feels it’s important to take the time to carefully examine your diagnostic records after your consultation so that we can more thoroughly prepare for your treatment at Dr. Catania's practice. This additional preparation will ensure that you receive the best orthodontic care possible. At this time, we encourage you to ask us any questions you may have about your treatment.

If you are seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, our staff asks that both you and your child attend the initial consultation. We feel it is important that both you and your child completely understand the doctor’s recommendations before we proceed with treatment.

Give us a call today and schedule a consultation! We look forward to hearing from you!

With the school year close to winding down for a lot of our patients, we wanted to remind all our patients about the importance of reading. Sure it’s easy to keep putting off reading this time of year, but reading is a vital step in brain development and literacy. And if you needed any more reason to read, May marks “Get Caught Reading Month.”

Today, we thought we’d ask: What's on YOUR reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites? Out of ideas for great reads? Ask us for suggestions, and our team would be happy to provide a few. You may also ask a local librarian for some ideas on what to read next!

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your book picks or your all-time favorite novels or literature on our Facebook page!

We are living in an age with a renewed commitment to conservation, and are frequently reminded to recycle, reduce and reuse. Last Sunday marked Earth Day, so today we thought we would discuss some of the things we do to conserve our natural resources and the environment.

Our office is digitalized, which means we can operate without the use of large amounts of paper and printing materials. The information in our office can be sent and processed digitally, which is also more efficient. We take all of the steps possible to be a 'green' office, making us better for the planet and more convenient for our patients.

We would love to hear how you minimize your impact on the environment. Leave us a comment below or post on our Facebook page!

The number one goal of orthodontic treatment is to give you or your child a good bite, meaning straight teeth that work well with the teeth in the opposite jaw. A good bite makes it easier for you to eat, chew, and speak. It can enhance your dental health and your overall health, and may well improve your self-esteem. As a part of your comprehensive dental health care plan, orthodontic treatment can help you retain you teeth—and your smile—for a lifetime.

Let your smile express yourself! Nothing can show the world how happy you are quite like a beautiful smile. In fact, it’s one of the first things others notice about you, too. With orthodontics, you can be proud to flash your smile, because you’ll know that your smile truly represents your positive attitude.

Make your mouth healthy! Straight teeth aren’t just pretty, they’re healthy as well. Teeth that are properly aligned are easier to clean, reducing the amount of plaque buildup and risk for gingivitis. The cleaner you keep your teeth, the longer they’ll last!

Feel free to live your life! Orthodontics is easier today than ever before, with treatment options that fit your lifestyle and schedule. From clear braces to removable aligners and totally invisible lingual (behind the teeth) braces, we can personalize your treatment to suit all your needs.

Spring is in the air! As you probably know, you can always connect with us on our Facebook page, but we invite you to please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you.

We also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

Thank you! Have a great week!

Visiting your dentist during your orthodontic treatment will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy while you have braces, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Your dentist is specifically trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next adjustment appointment. Take care of your teeth!

Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more and more common. In fact, the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! More adults than ever are realizing that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids, and can help improve the aesthetics and health of a smile of any age! In society where appearance matters and can help make the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing wisely to invest in orthodontic treatment.

Some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us considering orthodontic treatment include:
• Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, sometimes as a result of tooth decay or gum disease
• Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw
• A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly

Most of all though, adult patients come to our office seeking a healthier mouth and a more confident smile! Orthodontic treatment at our office can be successful at any age, and adults especially can appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

As an adult patient, we recognize that you have different needs than our younger patients, and we will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. We understand you have a busy schedule, and will work with you to find a time that is convenient for you. Please visit our website or give our office a call to schedule your appointment today!

Rubber bands, or elastics, can be an integral aspect of orthodontic care, so if Dr. Joseph Catania has prescribed elastics as a part of your treatment, it’s important to follow the directions fully. Elastics help to align your bite or cause teeth to move in different directions and straighten more quickly. We will instruct you how to hook one end to an upper bracket and the other end to a lower bracket so the rubber band goes vertically or diagonally from one bracket to another. The tension of the rubber band produces pressure on the bracket, which causes the teeth to move and straighten. This tension is also sufficient to correct an overbite or an under bite in the jaw.

If rubber bands are a part of your treatment plan, there are a few things to keep in mind. With rubber bands, you won’t be able to open your mouth fully, so they will have to be removed when you eat and reapplied after meal time. Many times, rubber bands are only needed at night, so you won’t need to worry about eating with them. Also, if you try to open your mouth too wide, your rubber bands might snap – so be careful!

Failure to wear your elastics full time or as instructed can lengthen your treatment time and may make it more difficult to achieve an optimal result. But don’t worry; your time in elastics will be well worth it when you see your beautiful, new smile.

Monday, Feb. 20 marks Presidents’ Day, a day known for celebrating of both George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s combined Birthdays. Presidents’ Day was created in 1971, when President Richard Nixon combined the birthdays of two of our most well-known presidents into one single federal holiday. Presidents' Day also marks a hard-earned day off from work and school for a lot of the patients of Dr. Joseph Catania.

Here are a few fun facts about our nation’s presidents:

*Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, carried letters, bills and notes in his tall stovepipe hat.

*George Washington is the first president to be featured on a postage stamp.

*Ronald Reagan, our 40th president, broke the so-called "20-year curse," in which every president elected in a year ending in zero died in office.

*Abraham Lincoln was the tallest of the U.S. presidents, measuring 6’ 4” tall.

*Virginia is the birthplace of more United States presidents than any other state, followed by Ohio and Massachusetts.

*Harry S. Truman was the first president to have his Inauguration and speeches televised.

Your smile is totally unique, so the time you’ll need to spend undergoing orthodontic treatment will also be unique. Generally, orthodontic treatment will take about two years, and this is for good reason. During this time, your teeth will slowly move into their desired positions, leaving you with a great smile with as little discomfort as possible. Rushing treatment can result in a less than perfect smile with a greater chance of tooth movement after your treatment is complete. Dr. Joseph Catania doesn’t want to waste your time with treatment that won’t retain your smile for the rest of your life.

Of course, treatment time will vary depending on your specific situation. Very minor tooth movement may only take a few months to correct, while serious malocclusion (poor bite) may need more than two years to correct. Only Dr. Catania will be able to accurately estimate the time your treatment will take. But trust us—it’ll all be worth it in the end!

Each February for the past 62 years, the American Dental Association (ADA) has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

For kids wearing braces, brushing and flossing can become more difficult, requiring extra time and vigilance to remove food particles that accumulate on and between the teeth and in braces. New options for braces such as Invisalign Teen, which is removable, make it easier for kids to maintain good oral health during orthodontic treatment.

If the health of your teeth is ignored during treatment with braces, the results can be significantly compromised. Dr. Joseph Catania is available and happy to explain why effective brushing and flossing is one of the most critical actions needed from patients during orthodontic treatment. Have you visited us lately? Give us a call and schedule an appointment!

Dr. Joseph Catania, serving Fayetteville, NY and surrounding areas, strives to provide exceptional treatment in an informative and friendly environment. Have you had a great experience at our office?

Share your story with the world!

Just select the "Write a Review" button above to write a review on our Google Place Page. We look forward to receiving your feedback!

Thank you,
The team at Dr. Catania's office

Dr. Joseph Catania and our team know having an attractive smile puts a spring in your step—or two—as well as increases your self-confidence, no matter if you’re 14 or in your late forties. Smiling not only makes people happy and puts them in a good mood, doing it often can even help you live longer, according to previous studies!

If you’ve been hiding your smile because you have crooked teeth or gaps between your teeth, it’s time to consider orthodontic treatment with Dr. Catania. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn how quickly and efficiently today’s most advanced correction techniques can straighten your smile!

Don’t hide your smile any longer—give us a call today to schedule yours or your child’s orthodontic consultation.

2012 is here, and it's a great time of year to get started on a lifetime of straight, dazzling and confident smiles. Dr. Joseph Catania offers some of today's most innovative orthodontic technologies that can straighten your smile in less time than you ever imagined. Not only do today’s braces and other orthodontic treatments straighten teeth quicker, they also offer greater comfort for the patient and require fewer visits to our office.

So if obtaining a healthy, beautiful smile is one of your New Year’s resolutions, we invite you to give us a call to schedule an orthodontic consultation with Dr. Catania.

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as Dr. Joseph Catania and team reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What do you love about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2012? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

-- Dr. Joseph Catania and team

Happy holidays from Dr. Joseph Catania and his entire team! As you probably know, you can always connect with Dr. Joseph Catania and our team on our Facebook page, but we also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

Please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you. Thank you!

- Dr. Joseph Catania and team

Dr. Joseph Catania and team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It's a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat!

If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we'd encourage you to post them to our Facebook page or call our office and ask how.

Gobble Gobble!

As the holiday season approaches, Dr. Joseph Catania wants to ask for your support in helping those in need. Bring your gently used coats, hats, gloves, scarves and boots for both children and adults to our practice for our 8th annual Coat Drive!

Collected items will benefit Catholic Charities' shelters and neighborhood centers!

If you have questions, you can always contact us at the office or get in touch on our Facebook wall. Thank you for your kind donations!

The 8th annual Coat Drive is now on at the practice of Dr. Joseph Catania. Please bring in any gently used coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and boots in kid and adult sizes. Collected items will benefit Catholic Charities' shelters and neighborhood centers!

In addition, we'd like to wish you a Happy Veterans’ Day! We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the veterans and those currently on active duty who have put their lives on the line for the freedoms we all enjoy.

Thanks to all of you who have given us so much.

It’s almost that spooky time of year again! Whether you are going door-to-door trick or treating, attending a party dressed in a clever, silly or scary costume, or simply getting together with friends and family to watch scary movies, Dr. Joseph Catania and our team want you to keep in mind the following tips from our friends at the American Dental Association to help reduce tooth-decay.

•Eat treats with meals. Saliva production increases during meals washing out food particles and helping to neutralize cavity causing plaque acid.

•Consider chewing ADA-accepted sugarless gum after meals. Certain sugarless gums have earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance for scientifically proving that chewing the gum for 20 minutes after meals helped prevent tooth decay.

•Follow the 1-2-3s of good daily oral hygiene: Floss once a day, brush twice a day and eat three balanced meals a day.

•Visit Dr. Catania for regular checkups.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN from all of us!

The countdown begins! There's only one week left until the Joseph Catania DDS Annual Haunted House. Don't forget to pick up your non-perishable food items & tell your friends and family. We hope to scare up lots of donations for our local food pantries!

Please join us for our Haunted Office next Friday, October 28th 7pm-9pm and Saturday, October 29th 1pm-3pm. There will be FREE raffles for Visa gift cards both days, FREE donuts and cider!

Happy Halloween!

Dr. Joseph Catania, your Fayetteville, NY orthodontist, recognizes that many of our patients are concerned about bad breath, or halitosis. While some cases of bad breath are persistent (chronic bad breath), generally bad breath is transient, and can be prevented.

We recently came across this helpful video about bad breath and thought it was worth sharing with our patients. The video explains what might cause bad breath and some ways that it can be avoided. In most instances, bad breath can be prevented by practicing common oral hygiene techniques that you have probably heard us emphasize during a visit to Dr. Catania's office, such as brushing and flossing daily. We encourage you to watch this video for additional tips on how to keep bad breath at bay. Enjoy!

Dr. Joseph Catania, serving Fayetteville, NY and surrounding areas, strives to provide exceptional treatment in an informative and friendly environment. Have you had a great experience at our office?

Share your story with the world!

Just select the "Write a Review" button above to write a review on our Google Place Page. We look forward to receiving your feedback!

Thank you,
The team at Dr. Catania's office

At Joseph Catania, DDS, we know orthodontic emergencies are never convenient nor timely. If you are a patient of record, Dr. Catania and our team are committed to your dental health and are more than willing to see you after hours or over the weekend. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can’t take care of yourself. We’ll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem. If you have a orthodontic emergency after regular office hours, please give us a call. If you are calling us after hours, please follow the emergency prompts to learn how you may be able to solve the problem yourself, or, if you cannot, how to contact Dr. Catania and team.

Common issues include:
*Broken Brace
*Broken Wires
*Tie has come off of a Brace
*Loose Expander
*Poking Wire Tie
*Sharpness Felt on the Tongue Side of a Brace
*Loss of a Separator
*Initial Soreness
*Wire Poking

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you visit our office.

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call Dr. Catania. Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with us:

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty of chewing or biting
3. Mouth breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude
7. Speech difficulty
8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
9. Protruding teeth
10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry
12. Grinding or clenching of teeth

Do any of these warning signs fit you? If so, give us a call as soon as possible!

Hope this helps,

-Dr. Catania

Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to see Dr. Catania for a consultation, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

That’s right—seven.

Ok, so what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Catania to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and are detrimental to good oral hygiene. So, if your child is nearing his or her seventh birthday, give us a call at Joseph Catania, DDS to schedule an appointment.

At Joseph Catania, DDS, we embrace new technology, whether it’s through the innovative treatments we offer, our high-tech website or our Facebook fan page. Dr. Catania is pleased to announce that our patients can now even access wireless internet at our office. That's right, it's now even easier to stay connected using your smart phones and laptops in our waiting room.

While Dr. Catania and our staff take a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? Is there anything that you would like to read on our blog while waiting for an appointment? Please post your thoughts or give us a call!

Summer is the ideal time for you to schedule an orthodontic consultation at Joseph Catania, DDS. The days are longer, schedules are more flexible, and we know that our patients want to look and feel their best while soaking up the New York sunshine! Here are our top five reasons why you should start perfecting your smile with Dr. Catania this summer:

1. Come meet Dr. Catania and our friendly team!
2. With the kids out of school, parents don't have to worry about class schedules (or work if you are a teacher).
3. Enjoy our comfortable and air conditioned environment.
4. Now is the perfect time to start planning for your 2012 pre-tax dollar plans.
5. Enjoy the summer weather! With summer appointments, there is no need to worry about snow or driving in icy weather.

We look forward to seeing you!

If you recently completed treatment at Dr. Catania's office, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Catania will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, always provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Catania is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Catania, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call!

Everyone loves fun facts. Fun, fun, fun! The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team at Dr. Catania's office thought you might enjoy.

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.
• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).
• The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.
• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.
• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.
• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.
• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.
• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.
• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

This coming Monday, July 4th, is Independence Day and the United States of America will be turning 235 years old! It’s a day to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and also a time for every American to pay homage to our soldiers, past and present, who have placed themselves in harm’s way so that we may continue to enjoy our freedom.

Dr. Catania and team will be celebrating this Monday and we would like to know, what are your plans for the 4th of July? Will you be out in the sun? Have you stocked up on fireworks? Are you going to grill up your favorite summer foods? Are you staying in town or heading somewhere else? If you have a 4th of July tradition, we would love to hear about it.

Whatever you plan to do, we hope you have a fun and safe holiday! Feel free to upload your 4th of July photos to our Facebook page and let us know how your Independence Day turned out this year.

True orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can't take care of yourself. We’ll be able to schedule an appointment with Dr. Catania.

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you schedule an appointment with Dr. Catania.

The following solutions may help you relieve your discomfort:

Poking Wire: Using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it to alleviate the discomfort.

Loose Bracket or Band: If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it. If the wire comes out entirely, wrap the bracket with a tissue.

Loose Wire: Using a tweezers, try to place your wire back into place. If doing this and using wax does not help, as a last resort use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If your discomfort continues, place wax on it.

Loose Appliance: If your appliance is poking you, place wax on the offending part of your appliance.

Headgear Does Not Fit: Sometimes headgear discomfort is caused by not wearing the headgear as instructed by your orthodontist. Please refer to the instructions provided by your orthodontist. If the facebow is bent, please call our office for assistance. Surprisingly, headgear becomes more comfortable the more it's worn, so be sure you’re getting in the prescribed hours.

General Soreness: When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt water mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. If the tenderness is severe, take aspirin or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain.

Remember, after alleviating your discomfort, it is still very important that you call our office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem.

According to the American Dental Association, a person's smile outranked eyes, hair and body as the most important physical feature, which is why it's important for our team at Joseph Catania, DDS to support National Smile Month this June.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Month for many, many years to come:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Here's a helpful video showing you how to brush with your braces on.
* Floss every day to clean between your teeth.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Catania.
* Visit your dentist regularly (usually every six months apart).

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call.

Some people wonder why we work so hard to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime.

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque – the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call at to set up a consultation. Dr. Catania can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Memorial Day weekend, a time to remember and honor the men and women lost while serving for our country. Memorial Day is also the unofficial start of summer, and for many folks in Fayetteville, NY, getting out of town for three days after being cooped up in the classroom or the office spells sweet, sweet relief.

What about you? What are you up to this Memorial Day weekend? Whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, or just hitting the great American open roads, we’d like to hear all about it!

Our entire team at Dr. Joseph Catania's office wishes you a happy, safe and relaxing Memorial Day weekend!

We are living in an age with a renewed commitment to conservation, and are frequently reminded to recycle, reduce and reuse. Earth Day is this Friday, April 22nd, and we thought this would a great time to discuss the things that Joseph Catania DDS does to conserve our natural resources and the environment.

Did you know that we offer patients account access 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Our office has convenient and secure online services with Sesame 24-7™. You can view all of your financial information online, and even pay bills through our website. Patients can also receive appointment reminders through email or text messages. Since this information is submitted electronically, we eliminate the use of large amounts of paper and printing materials.

Dr. Catania and our team would love to hear how you minimize your impact on the environment. Leave us a comment below or you can also visit our Facebook page and post something on our wall.

Happy Earth Day!

There are a variety of foods Dr. Catania recommends you avoid while you're wearing braces. Some foods can occasionally damage braces, but certain foods can bend the wires or even break the brackets on your braces. If you’re wearing braces, you should avoid starch, sugar and gummy foods, as these foods can be difficult to remove during brushing. Foods that are high in sugar and starch tend to cause plaque, cavities and even tooth decay.

Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw vegetables such as carrots and celery. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

Foods you should avoid include:

• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Also, chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why, we invite you to give Joseph Catania DDS a call or ask our staff during your next visit.

With spring here, many children, teens and adults in Fayetteville, New York will once again pick up the ball, bring the bat out of seasonal retirement, and lace up their cleats to hit the fields for the return of spring sports! April is National Facial Protection Month, and during this time, Dr. Catania and our dedicated team urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, high-school athletes and adults will have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events this year.

Here are a few ways to ensure your mouth’s safety this spring, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Dr. Catania. Stay safe and have fun!

Whether you're the parent of a child with braces or an adult with braces, Dr. Joseph A. Catania wants you to look forward to coming to his office. After all, Dr. Catania wants what you want — a big smile with beautiful, straight teeth.

And speaking of smiling, in a new poll conducted by Glamour Magazine, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?

Well, 44 percent of folks out there are choosing teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or AACD, conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of a person’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

Please give us a call today to schedule your orthodontic consultation with Dr. Catania!

If you ever sustain damage to your braces and need to call Joseph Catania DDS, we can help you more effectively if you can tell us exactly which piece is in trouble! Here’s a handy diagram and corresponding list of all the parts that make up your braces.

Elastic Tie: Tiny rubber band that fits around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Archwire: The main wire that acts as a track to guide the teeth along. It's changed periodically throughout treatment, as teeth move to their new positions.

Loop in Archwire: Frequently used for closing space left by an extraction. Many archwires don't have a loop.

Bracket: Small attachment that holds the archwire in place. Most often, a bracket is cemented directly onto the tooth's surface, eliminating the need for a band.

Headgear Tube: Round, hollow attachment on the back bands. The inner bow of the headgear fits into it.

Coil Spring: Fits between brackets and over archwire to open space between teeth.

Tie Wire: Fine wire that is twisted around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Band: A thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth and cemented in place. The band provides a way to attach the brackets to the tooth.

Hook: Welded or removable arm to which elastics (rubber bands) are attached.

Elastic (Rubber Band): Small rubber band that is hooked between different points on the appliance to provide pressure to move the teeth.

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions!

Dr. Joseph Catania, serving Fayetteville, NY and surrounding areas, strives to provide exceptional treatment in an informative and friendly environment. Have you had a great experience at our office?

Share your story with the world!

Just select the "Write a Review" button above to write a review on our Google Place Page. We look forward to receiving your feedback!

Thank you,
The team at Dr. Catania's office

It used to be that people were terrified to see the orthodontist. And Dr. Catania understands that some patients are still nervous. But fear not! The days of fear and loathing when driving to an orthodontist appointment are gone! And it’s all due to technology. That’s right, technology has allowed orthodontists everywhere to zero in on patient care and comfort.

For example, braces are much more comfortable and the treatment time has been reduced. In addition, the advances in the orthodontic field have permitted digital photos and X-rays of your mouth, patient charting and improved communications between doctor and patient.

If you have any questions about how Dr. Catania uses state-of-the-art technology, give us a call and ask!

If you recently completed treatment at Joseph Catania, DDS, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Catania will provide—or has provided you—with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Catania is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Here are some things to remember when you receive your retainers:

* Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise. Wearing your retainers at night ensures that your pearly whites won’t relapse.
* Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.
* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.
* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately.
* Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

We hope this helps! You can always contact our team if you have any questions!

Trust us when we say Dr. Catania and our staff know there are quite a few myths about orthodontics (and orthodontists) floating around these days. But before you buy into those myths, we think you should get the facts! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists set the record straight (no pun intended) and have provided some information that sheds some light on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here at Dr. Catania's office, feel free to give us a call.

Braces at Joseph Catania DDS are more fun than ever! With the Brace Painter, parents and children are able to “paint their braces,” and visualize how teeth will look with different colors of bands.

Would you like to try out pink and purple bands this February, without the commitment of an all-out Valentine’s Day look? The Brace Painter allows for you to select different colors, and then assign those colors of bands to certain teeth. Now, you can visualize your braces before you even come in for your appointment!

As always, please let Dr. Catania know if you have any questions about the Brace Painter, or your orthodontic treatment at Joseph Catania DDS. Have a great week!

Each February for the past 61 years, the American Dental Association (ADA) has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

For kids wearing braces, brushing and flossing can become more difficult, requiring extra time and vigilance to remove food particles that accumulate on and between the teeth and in braces. New options for braces such as Invisalign, which is removable, make it easier for you to maintain good oral health during orthodontic treatment.

If the health of your teeth is ignored during treatment with braces, the results can be significantly compromised. Dr. Catania is available and happy to explain why effective brushing and flossing is one of the most critical actions needed from patients during orthodontic treatment. Have you visited us lately? Give us a call and schedule an appointment!

Dr. Catania and our team are committed to making orthodontics convenient, affordable and gentle, while creating an atmosphere that is fun and positive. We are currently sponsoring the 4th annual Aeropostale Teens for Jeans, which is a program that empowers the community to take action on youth homelessness. All donated jeans will be donated to local homeless shelters and charity organizations.

Now through February 13 our office is a Teens for Jeans drop off location. We will be accepting gently worn jeans during our regular business hours, from both patients and community members. Be sure to ask us for a Aeropostale coupon when you make your donation- we are offering each donor a coupon for 25% off of new jeans at Aeropostale.

Thanks for your support!

The activism of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was integral to the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1950s and ‘60s. As the social justice leader once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” There are many ways that you may answer this question, whether it is by participating in a environmental impact project, volunteering through an education program, or serving veterans and military families. Are you in search of a Day of Service project? You can always ask Dr. Catania, or visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service website.

All of us here at Joseph Catania, DDS would love to hear what you’re doing for others in Fayetteville, NY community. We encourage you to share any pictures, videos, or information about your Day of Service project on our Facebook page. Happy MLK Day!

At Dr. Catania's office, our patients want to get as much out of their treatment as possible. That includes asking a lot of questions and making sure they take care of both their appliances and oral health.

Would you like to learn more about what to expect during orthodontic treatment, from someone with firsthand experience? Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently developed the Braces Brigade blog, where past, present, as well as future orthodontic patients from coast to coast document their (or their child’s) orthodontic journeys. The blog will serve as a source of guidance for others as the patients undergo orthodontic care.

Our team at Joseph Catania, DDS encourages you to visit the Braces Brigade blog to read these great and informative blogs—who knows, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two! As always, don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions about the Braces Brigade or your own orthodontic treatment with Dr. Catania!

Winter is upon us, and with it comes the dreaded cold and flu season. After recovering from your cold, Dr. Catania will tell you one of the most important steps you can take to avoid becoming reinfected is replacing your toothbrush!

Germs are known to linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

We hope these tips help! Feel free to call us at Joseph Catania, DDS if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook.

The 2010 holiday season is upon us, and our team at Joseph Catania, DDS would like to wish all our patients and their families the merriest of holidays and best wishes for the New Year.

We thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you looking forward to in 2011? Do you have a New Year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, from all of us at Dr. Catania's office!

Winter is officially here, and with it comes not only the holiday season, but also sometimes unpredictable and inclement weather. This week, Dr. Catania and our team would like to share a few winter safety tips that we found on the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry website. These tips include everything from what to wear outdoors to tips for winter snow sports. Enjoy!

• Older babies and young children should generally be dressed in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions
• Several thin clothing layers will keep an infant or child dry and warm. Warm boots, gloves, mittens, and a hat are necessities!
• A cold air humidifier, saline nose drops, and petrolatum will help a child that suffers from winter nosebleeds.
• It is important for children to wash their hands frequently, and to use the bend of their elbow if they need to sneeze or cough to prevent the spread of colds and flu.
• Never ski or snowboard alone. Adults should supervise young children participating in winter sports.
• When sledding, it is preferable to separate young children from older children, and to avoid crowded areas.
• The AAP recommends that children under age 16 not operate snowmobiles and that children under age 6 never ride on snowmobiles.

We hope that these tips help keep you and your loved ones stay safe and sound this winter season. Please give us a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your next appointment at the office of Dr. Catania.

Dr. Joseph Catania, your Fayetteville Invisalign provider, specializes in teen and adult orthodontic treatment. The state-of-the-art Invisalign system uses clear, removable aligners that are nearly invisible. For more information about Invisalign, watch this short patient video.

Don't hesitate to give Dr. Catania a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule a consultation at our office.

Last week, we asked you, our wonderful patients, what you most liked about your experience at Joseph Catania, DDS. Well, we received some pretty great reviews, and thought we’d share one with you today. Please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our office! Dr. Catania and team love getting patient testimonials!

"Everyone made us feel so welcome at our first consultation, I couldn't imagine anyone else taking such good care of my son."

Dr. Joseph Catania and our team enjoy creating smiles for a living, and we feel that it is important that both children and adults feel relaxed and comfortable at our office. We thought we’d ask you, our amazing patients: Have you had a positive experience with Dr. Catania? Did our team encourage you to take an active role in taking good care of your smile? Has your new smile changed your life?

Whether you or your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. There are many ways you can share your thoughts about our practice with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Place page and share your story. Thank you!

Here at the office of Dr. Joseph Catania, we are very thankful for all of our amazing patients! Our doctor and team would like to wish everyone a fun and safe Thanksgiving. We also want to remind everyone to brush and floss after indulging in the big meal.

If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we encourage you to post them on our Facebook page or give us a call!

Winter is a difficult time for many adults and children within Fayetteville, NY and surrounding areas that are unable to afford warm coats. Dr. Catania would like to invite all of our patients to participate in our 7th Annual Winter Coat Drive.

Now through Dec. 8, our office will be accepting any gently used winter items to support Catholic charities and other local closing closets.

Don't hesitate to stop by our office today and share the warmth! As always, feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about our Winter Coat Drive, or if you would like to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Catania.

Dr. Catania is excited to offer all of our patients, friends, and families in the Fayetteville, NY community the opportunity to exchange their Halloween candy for cash.

Many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through orthodontic treatment, and these treats may cause damage that could prolong your treatment time. The Candy for Cash event is a fun way for Dr. Catania and our team to reward patients for their efforts on Halloween. In addition, we are able to benefit area charities.

Some candies are okay for orthodontic patients. These treats include plain chocolate, peanut butter cups, mint patties, and candy corn.

Dr. Catania recommends that those who wear braces avoid hard, sticky, and chewy candy, such as gum, taffy, nuts, popcorn, caramel, gummies, and lollipops. Parents of children who wear braces may want to check their children’s Halloween candy and eliminate these potential braces-busters.

Dr. Catania’s candy buy-back program can help those with braces enjoy the holiday. And you don’t have to be a patient to join our fun buy-back!

Here’s how it works:
• Bring your Halloween candy in to Dr. Catania's office anytime between Nov. 1-11 during office hours

• You will receive $1.00 for every pound of candy

• For every pound of candy that you bring in, Dr. Catania will donate $1.00 to Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital

• Candy collected will be donated to local Food Pantries, along with a variety of food staples

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds simple and convenient, doesn’t it?

Patients at Dr. Catania's office enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages! Take a look at a few patient reviews about this service:

"I like it because I can check my information during the weekend and evening hours." ~Andrea

"Just having the appointments online is a big help, especially when I forget to print my schedule." ~Gary

"I believe this website will be a great service! I look forward to keeping up to date on my son this way. In the hectic life I lead this will allow me to check payment schedule, look at his progress, etc. when it is convenient for me! (usually that is late at night!) Thanks for doing this!" ~Diane

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!

Trick-or-treat! In the spirit of October’s sweet and spooky holiday, Halloween, Dr. Catania would like to remind all of our patients to be safe while celebrating with friends and family. The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has provided trick-or-treaters with some tips for a ghoulishly good time.

A few Halloween safety guidelines:
• Young children should always be accompanied by an adult
• Carry a flashlight
• Wear a light-colored or reflective costume
• Choose face paint over masks for young ghosts and goblins
• Have an adult inspect all treats before the children dig in

Many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through orthodontic treatment. If you happen to damage your braces, please give Dr. Catania and our staff a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved over the phone.

Did you know that October is National Orthodontic Health Month? Dr. Joseph Catania and our team know how tempting this time of the year can be for your sweet tooth. With all of the hard, sticky, crunchy, and chewy candy that is often passed around to trick-or-treaters, we know that it can sometimes be hard to find orthodontic-friendly options.

However, there is good news! Today, we would like to share a great braces-friendly Halloween recipe with all of our patients, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO. This Spooktacular Pumpkin Cake is delicious, and provided that you remember to brush and floss after indulging, this treat will not cause damage to your beautiful smile.

Spooktacular Pumpkin Cake

Ingredients:

1 pkg. yellow or white cake mix
½ cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
¾ cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
¼ cup water (add 2 tbl. of water if eggs are small)

Directions:

Put cake mix in a large bowl. Make an indentation in the center and pour in the oil and one egg. Mix using mixer, then add the rest of the eggs one at a time, beating after each one.

Add pumpkin, sugar, spices, and then water.

Bake in greased and floured tube pan in 350 degree oven for 60-70 minutes (depending on oven calibration). Cool before removing from pan.

Here in Fayetteville, NY, kids and parents are beginning to stock up on pencils, spiral notebooks, and binders because it’s back to school time! Because it is more challenging to work around school, sports, and after school activities, Dr. Catania wants to remind our patients about how important it is to plan in advance for your orthodontic appointments! Also, to best serve all our patients we ask that you please give us advance notice if you are unable to make an appointment, so that someone else has the opportunity.

As always, feel free to give us a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to reserve your next appointment at our office.

Happy learning!

-Dr. Catania and team

Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment? If yes, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting Dr. Catania, of course). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health, especially during orthodontic treatment.

Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in the greater Fayetteville, NY area!

The Style 'N Smile fashion show, sponsored by the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO, promotes self esteem, while displaying the newest back to school fashions. Most importantly, the fashion show emphasizes how a beautiful, healthy smile never goes out of style. To learn more about the Style 'N Smile fashion show, take a look at this short video clip from 90210 pop culture icon Jennie Garth. In the video, she shares how being self conscious is a rite of passage, and that’s why giving younger (and older) people the opportunity to improve their smile goes hand in hand with improving self esteem.

With SureSmile and The Damon System treatment options, Dr. Catania has what it takes to make you smile! Give us a call today if you have any questions about the Style 'N Smile fashion show, or if you would like to schedule your consultation!

This summer, as you and the family head to out to the ball game—whether it’s at a Major League park or the local tee ball game in Fayetteville, NY, it’s important to remember to make smart, healthy choices when it comes to snacks. Here are some tips from Dr. Catania and our team that you can use to avoid greasy, ballpark foods:

1. Eat before you go!

2. What are you drinking? Water is always a cheap, refreshing option. Gatorade, Powerade and VitaminWater work as well, though keep in mind their sugar levels.

3. Bring your own snacks. Remember that these must be in unopened packages when you enter the gates.

4. Before the game, get some exercise. You’ll be sitting for two- to three hours at the game, so be sure to take a walk or a light run before you head out.

5. Calories, calories, calories. From hot dogs to fries to pizza, the ballpark stands typically sell high-caloric foods. But most venues will also offer healthier options, such as crab cakes, chicken sandwiches, turkey wraps or soups and salads.

Enjoy the game!

-Joseph Catania, DDS

Hey, Moms! Have you signed the Moms for Mouth Guards Pledge?

Here at Joseph Catania, DDS, we care about your pearly whites, and we want to help keep you protected from sports injuries that can be damaging to your beautiful smile. As a way of ensuring that children are using proper facial protection equipment, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontics have introduced the Moms for Mouth Guards Pledge.

Dr. Catania will tell you that mouth guards are vital to protecting your teeth from sports related injuries while participating in sports, such as football, soccer, baseball, hockey and basketball, just to name a few. The Moms for Mouth Guards Pledge is a way for moms nationwide to make a commitment to protecting their children’s smile from facial injuries.

We’ve discussed the importance of using facial protection in the past. Today, we thought we’d invite moms to take action by visiting the Moms for Mouth Guards website and taking the Moms for Mouth Guards Pledge.

Let's say you just got your braces on, and Syracuse orthodontist Dr. Joseph Catania told you that you'll want to avoid eating anything sticky, crunchy, hard or chewy for the foreseeable future. What does this leave for you to eat this summer? Lettuce? Yogurt? Nothing?

Well, our pals at the American Association of Orthodontists made an appetizing (and braces-friendly!) summer dish that is sure to delight: soy-simmered chicken wraps. Remember, a healthy diet provides essential nutrients and helps you achieve the best possible result from your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Catania.

Ingredients:

• 3 boneless chicken breast halves
• 2 large onions, chunked
• Small flour tortillas (pkg. of ten) wheat or white
• (optional: 10-16 oz. of cooked chopped broccoli)
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup water
• 2 Tablespoons honey
• 1/8 teaspoon ginger
• 2 Tablespoons peach or apricot jam
• 1 Tablespoon cornstarch

Directions:

In a slow cooker, or a large pan on the stove, layer the onions and the chicken breast. Allow at least three hours in the slow cooker on medium, or at least one hour on the stove—the longer the better. Spoon out the chicken onto a cutting board, and with a knife and fork, shred the chicken as finely as you’d like. Then, stir all sauce ingredients together over medium heat until the mixture starts bubbling, and let it simmer for five minutes on low heat to thicken. In a serving bowl, stir sauce and onion into chicken; if you’d like, add cooked chopped broccoli. This dish makes about six to eight servings.

Our staff at Dr. Catania's office hope you enjoy this great summer dish! Have a phenomenal weekend!

Whether you're the parent of a child with braces or an adult with braces, Dr. Joseph A. Catania wants you to look forward to coming to his office. After all, Syracuse orthodontist Dr. Catania wants what you want — a big smile with beautiful, straight teeth. Dr. Catania is committed to making orthodontics convenient, affordable and gentle, even fun.

Whether you've visited Joseph Catania DDS for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our office is faring! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local page and post a review.

After all, reviews help Dr. Catania create more beautiful smiles in Fayetteville, Syracuse and surrounding communities.

You may write also post a review here.

Thank you and enjoy your week! Dr. Catania and team look forward to reading your reviews!

This is cool - SureSmile treatment was recently featured on the Science Channel! You've probably heard from friends or family members that wearing braces is a long-term commitment, taking two years on average. While that may be true of traditional orthodontic treatments, it's not true for SureSmile. Through the use of SureSmile's sophisticated 3-D imaging, treatment planning, and customized precision archwires, Dr. Catania can reduce treatment time compared to that of conventional braces.

At the orthodontic office of Dr. Joseph Catania, we love working with SureSmile technology. Take a look at the video, and be sure to let us know what you think.

Happy Wednesday!

Everyone loves fun facts. Fun, fun, fun! The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team at Joseph Catania DDS thought you might enjoy.

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.

• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.

• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.

• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.

• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.

• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.

• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.

• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

It may be just 24 degrees outside, but wouldn’t you believe it, it’s almost springtime! The spring months, however, bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of damaging your precious mouth and pearly whites. If you're planning on spring sports, it's important that you consult Dr. Catania for special precautions. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing spring sports such as baseball and soccer. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements we are trying to achieve.

In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, please schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible. Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Joseph Catania DDS.

At the office of Joseph Catania DDS, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative orthodontic treatments that we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern office conveniently located in Fayetteville and serving nearby Syracuse and other communities.

Did you know that patients of Dr. Catania have access to their account, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on our web site? You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

Just see what some of our wonderful patients have to say about this service!

"Very convenient to see what the account balance is and when last payment posted. Also it is an easy tool to check when appointments are." ~ Kerin M.

"In addition to the phone calls, this is another friendly reminder of upcoming appointments.; also it's nice to be able to access my account online." ~ Marsha S.

"I can monitor insurance payments efficiently. I can also keep track of my child's appointment easier." ~ Eric T.

You can sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please call the team at Joseph Catania DDS if you have any questions!

Joseph Catania, DDS, located in Fayetteville and serving Syracuse and surrounding communities, is situated around some pretty unique neighborhoods. Each is special with its own personality, created by the people and places (and our patients) living within.

Today, Dr. Catania and our team thought we'd ask: What are your favorite things about Fayetteville, Syracuse or our neighboring communities? Is there a local event you attend every year? Do you have a favorite eatery? Perhaps a favorite hang-out? Let us know!

Please feel free to share some information about your favorite local hang-outs, and everything you love best about “your neck of the woods.” And, who knows, we might post your response on our social networks! Or, you may give us a call!

Have a great rest of the week!

We've blogged about the advantages of The Damon™ System in the past, and today, thought we'd remind you about this revolutionary new braces system. A lot of our patients, (especially you parents!) come to Dr. Catania thinking traditional braces are the only answer. But with the Damon System, your child can get better results in less time!

Am I right for the Damon System?

Dr. Catania and our dedicated team will evaluate your eligibility for the Damon System, and the procedure can be performed for children and adults alike!

What makes Damon braces better?

Probably the biggest advantage of Damon braces over traditional brackets is the amount of time and effort involved. Dr. Catania can often cut months off of the total treatment time for patients using the Damon System, and less visits to our office are necessary to make adjustments.

In addition, the Damon System brackets are:

•Cleaner- Damon brackets don’t have the elastic of traditional brackets, and are less prone to all the plaque buildup that your dentist warns you about!
•Discreet- Damon braces are smaller and have fewer parts than traditional brackets, making them less noticeable and more comfortable.
•No tightening- With the Damon system, Dr. Catania can position your teeth and avoid frequent adjustments. This also reduces the need for complicated tooth extractions or surgery.

If you have been thinking about an orthodontic procedure, come see us at Joseph Catania DDS for an assessment to see if the Damon System is right for you!

Traditionally cold and flu season starts in Fall, but this year it seems to have started much earlier and with the number of patients canceling appointments because of flu and H1N1 symptoms our practice is taking additional precautions to help prevent the spread of germs.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, we give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our office at all times as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces.

For the protection of other patients and our staff, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

Maintaining and protecting oral hygiene equipment is also important this flu season. To protect your toothbrush from bacteria follow these steps:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace toothbrush after every cold or flu or every 3-4 months when bristles appear worn

Hope this helps and give us a call if you have any questions! Stay healthy!

--Dr. Catania and staff

October has come and gone, and—believe it or not—we’re almost in full holiday mode! But before we forget about the spooky month that just wrapped up, we’d like to know how you celebrated Halloween! What did you wear? How much candy did you get? Did you have fun?

If you have any photos or videos that you would like to share with us, please send them our way! Dr. Catania and staff hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween! Also, what are you up to this month? Anything exciting happening in your life? If so, we’d love to hear all about it.

--Dr. Catania and team

One of the things Dr. Catania and his staff tell patients every day is the importance of daily oral care. Whether it is brushing, flossing, or using mouthwash, good oral hygiene is important! We found an adorable video that helps illustrate our point, check it out below:

Whether you have seen Dr. Catania for a week, months or years, we'd love to hear your feedback about Dr. Catania and his team! Now with the Internet, it’s even easier to write your thoughts and share them with the world. We'd want to encourage you to write a review of us. It only takes a moment!

You may write your reviews here.

Thank you and have a great week! From Dr. Catania and staff

Many people know that Invisalign is a great solution to braces if you don't want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces. What few people know, though, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively. Good oral hygiene is highly important, even when you are wearing something in your mouth that you can take out to eat with. It's still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. When wearing your Invisalign aligners, ask yourself the following questions:

1.) Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.
2.) Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not a necessity for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky a soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.
3.) Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also easy: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits.
--Dr. Catania

Did you know that October is National Dental Hygiene Month? Fall is here, and Halloween is coming soon, but now it is more important than ever to maintain good oral hygiene.

All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats can damage your teeth and braces too! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! After eating these candies, be sure to wash your mouth out with water, drink milk or eat a few slices of cheese. These will help neutralize the acid in your mouth (wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth with toothpaste, as this can actually increase the effects of acid on your teeth)

Besides cavities and tooth decay, many people do not realize that good oral health and hygiene are important to your overall health too! Research is discovering the connection between periodontal disease and other major health concerns, such as heart disease! Therefore, it is important to maintain a good oral hygiene routine: see your dentist every six months, brush and floss daily and use an antibacterial mouthwash.

Make a resolution to improve your oral health for October, the National Dental Hygiene Month!

--Dr. Catania

Are you wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities? Will it slur your speech? Will people know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns! Following are a list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment.

How exactly does Invisalign work?

Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience pain during treatment?

Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

Can I smoke during treatment?

We discourage smoking while wearing the aligners as they may become discolored.

Are there any foods I cannot eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

What about chewing gum?

We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.

How often must I wear my aligners?

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing, and flossing.

Will my speech be affected by the aligners?

As with any orthodontic treatment, aligners may temporarily affect your speech. If this does happen, your tongue will adjust within a day or two and your speech should return to normal.

How can I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit your office during treatment?

For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. Dr. Catania will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan.

Piercing, like tattooing, is one of today’s popular forms of “body art” and self-expression. If you’re thinking about getting a piercing – or if you already have one or more – there are some health risks you should know about.

Your mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection is a common complication of oral piercing. Just touching your mouth jewelry (tongue barbells and lip and cheek labrettes) can lead to infection. Many people who have piercings tend to regularly touch them – which is a perfect opportunity for bacteria from hands to enter piercing sites. Also, food particles that collect around piercing sites can lead to infection.

Pain and swelling are other possible side effects of piercing. Your tongue – the most popular piercing site in the mouth – could swell large enough to close off your airway! Piercing also can cause uncontrollable bleeding or nerve damage. Damage to the tongue’s blood vessels can cause serious blood loss.

The hoop, ring, stud, and barbell-shaped jewelry can hinder your ability to talk and eat. Some people also develop a habit of biting or playing with their piercings – which can lead to cracked, scratched teeth; gum damage and recession; and sensitive teeth. There may also be a need for restorations, such as crowns or fillings, and additional dental treatment due to piercings.

Consider the potential pitfalls of piercing carefully before getting one. Keep in mind that it will be an added responsibility to your life, and will need regular upkeep. Make sure that you’re committed to the task of taking care of it for the full healing period and beyond.

If you have an oral piercing, pay special attention to it. Clean the piercing with antiseptic mouthwash after eating, and brush the jewelry when you brush your teeth. Of course, let us know if you have any questions.

--Dr. Catania

The answer is simple: both! It’s true; you can effectively brush your teeth with either a manual or an electric toothbrush, and still maintain a clean, healthy smile. While both toothbrushes do an good job of cleaning your teeth and gums, they each offer different advantages.

Picking the Right Toothbrush

An electric toothbrush is great if you have arthritis, or are unable to grip the smaller handle of a manual toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes also have a convenient two-minute timer, so that you know you are brushing long enough. Here are a few helpful tips to help you purchase the right electric toothbrush for your needs:

• Make sure it’s comfortable and easy to hold onto.
• A toothbrush with soft bristles is best for removing plaque without hurting your teeth or gums.
• Small headed brushes are recommended, since with a smaller brush head you will be able to reach all areas of your mouth, including the often hard to reach back teeth.
• Pick a toothbrush that fits your mouth. Brushing your teeth should always be comfortable.
• Always pick a toothbrush that has the seal of approval from the American Dental Association.

Whether you use an electric toothbrush or a manual toothbrush, it is recommended that you change the toothbrush (or just the head) every three months, or whenever it starts to show wear (such as bent, or fanned out bristles). It is also important to change your toothbrush after you’ve had a bad cold or illness. Your toothbrush can collect bacteria that may lead to infection if it’s not replaced.

As always, remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss at least once. Brushing after each meal and remembering to floss can maximize the health of your smile!

If you’re wondering which kind of toothbrush is best for you, be sure to ask Dr. Catania. Call 315-446-3360 to schedule an appointment.

If you have a favorite toothbrush, or some helpful advice about picking out the right toothbrush, we encourage you to share your opinions with other patients just like you! We welcome your comments - happy brushing!

Have you been trying to go a little greener these days? Maybe you spend more time comparing organic and non-organic products at the store? If this is the case, then perhaps you’ve noticed that organic and natural items have begun to pop up in more aisles than just produce!

The good news is that you can smile - you’ve got tons of choices, even when it comes to your dental health. Let’s start with toothpaste. There are so many different brands to choose from, and now you must make the choice between natural toothpaste and regular toothpaste.

Some of your natural toothpaste brands include:

• Tom’s of Maine
• Kiss my Face
• Jason Natural Cosmetics
• The Natural Dentist
• Nature’s Gate Organics
• Trader Joe’s All Natural Toothpaste

Regular toothpaste brands include:

• Colgate
• Crest
• Aquafresh
• Arm and Hammer
• Aim
• Oral-B

The good news for you is that both natural and regular toothpastes are good for you and your teeth. The main difference is that natural toothpaste does not contain saccharine (an artificial sweetener) or sorbitol (humectants used to give toothpaste its pasty consistency and keep toothpaste from drying out). Both natural and regular toothpastes contain fluoride, which is essential for protecting the health of your teeth. If you have any questions about a particular type or brand of toothpaste, ask Dr. Catania at your next checkup. You can also call our office at 315-446-3360 and we’re happy to answer any questions you may have about your dental heath.

There are quite a few myths about orthodontists circulating around. Before you buy into those myths, you should get the facts! We came across a great site that helps set the record straight. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts of orthodontists, check them out today!

Hope this helps,

--Dr. Catania

Its summer here for Dr. Catania & team, a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you are headed to a barbeque, a camping trip, or just having fun in the sun, we want to hear about it! Leave a comment on our blog and tell us about your summer!

Happy Travels,

-From Dr. Catania & team

Dr. Catania found a fun video on the importance of brushing, click play below to watch it!

We at Dr. Catania's office want you to know that as more families turn to bottled water and away from the tap, they may be missing out on one important ingredient that most brands of bottled water fail to include: fluoride!

As of 2005, bottled water is second only to soft drinks as the most popular drink in the United States, beating out milk, juice, and – more significantly – tap water. Between 2001 and 2006, the amount of bottled water sold in the U.S. rose an average of 10% per year. And many dental health specialists point to bottled water’s increased popularity as the culprit behind rising rates of cavities.

Because fluoride helps strengthen teeth, it is an important component of maintaining good oral health. The benefits of fluoride were noticed in the early part of the twentieth century, when researchers found communities with low levels of tooth decay. It turned out that these towns had measurable levels (around 1 part per million) of fluoride in their drinking water.

Beginning in the 1940s, communities have fluoridated their water supplies, and dentists have seen a significant decline in cavities ever since. The American Dental Association endorses both community water fluoridation and the use of fluoride-containing products as a safe means of preventing tooth decay. Between tap water and toothpaste, most of us get sufficient amounts of fluoride.

But if your family avoids fluoridated tap water in favor of ever-more-popular bottled water, you could be missing out on the levels of fluoride necessary to make a difference in your oral health.

If bottled water is your water of choice, check the label to make sure that your brand contains fluoride. As of a 2006 decision, the FDA allows bottled water containing .6 to 1.0 milligrams per liter of fluoride to carry a label stating that fluoridated water may reduce the risk of dental cavities or tooth decay. The ADA has backed this decision.

Of course, simply drinking fluoridated water is not a magic ticket to perfect teeth. To keep your choppers in tip-top shape, it’s important to brush and floss daily and avoid sugary sweets, in addition to maintaining your fluoride intake and visiting Dr. Catania regularly.

Whether you’re 5 or 50, your health depends on your awareness of what’s good for you. But in a world filled with fad diets, blaring advertisements, and unintelligible ingredient lists, we at Dr. Catania's office, we know it can be difficult to determine exactly what is good for you – and what’s not.

For straightforward guidance on how to live a long, healthy life, we recommend Brush Your Teeth! And Other Simple Ways to Stay Young and Healthy by Dr. David Ostreicher. The book sums up good health in six fundamental principles: hygiene, diet, attitude, exercise, sleep and personal safety.

Drawing on nearly three decades of experience as an orthodontist and professor of health and nutrition, Dr. Ostreicher definitively answers age-old debates, like the best way to prevent colds and flu (your mom was right: wash your hands). He provides straight talk on a variety of diet choices including salt, fats, carbs and organic food, and he documents the importance of regular sleep, stress reduction and positive thinking to your overall health. His suggestions throughout are simple, clear, and inexpensive.

Dr. Ostreicher advocates a back-to-basics, common-sense approach to staying young and healthy. We at Dr. Catania's office couldn’t agree more, and we’d like to repeat the title of his book as our favorite piece of advice: don’t forget to Brush Your Teeth!

At Dr. Catania's Office we see lots of patients concerned about their bad breath. So we want to educate you about what you can do to really keep your chompers clean and breath minty fresh!

Naturally, good oral hygiene is the first set. With proper brushing and regular dental checkups you can keep bad breath (halitosis) in check.

Certain foods, medications, smoking, sinus issues, or even gum disease cause most bad breath. If the stink lingers for longer than 24 hours, you should see us at Dr. Catania's Office. It might be something more serious, like dehydration, zinc deficiency, diabetes, liver failure, kidney failure, or even certain kinds of cancers!

In the meantime, here are some home remedies to keep you smiling bright from Dr. Catania's Office.

--Spice Up Your Life
Snack on some cloves, fennel, or anise after each particularly odorous snack.
--Don’t forget the tongue
Lots of people brush their teeth regularly, but leave the tongue alone. One of the main causes of bad breath is food and plaque residue on the surface of your tongue. So give it a nice gentle brush-over too!
--Watch your drinking habits
The worst options are coffee, wine, whiskey, and beer.
--Frequent brushing
Carry a toothbrush with you so brushing after each meal is convenient and refreshing! Trust us, you’ll love the way it makes you feel. If you can’t brush, still swish around a couple sips of water to remove any lingering food.
--Make your own Gargle
Gargling with a home mixture of sage, calendula, and myrrh gum extracts four times a day should ward off that bad breath potential.
--Parsley’s there for a reason
Finish your parsley after you finish your dinner and you’ll find a refreshing breath enhancer. Hate the texture? Throw a couple sprigs in a blender to sip after each meal.
--Sugarless Gum
Always a good idea to carry some mints or sugarless gum for that quick spruce up before you meet the boss.
--Don’t cut that cheese
The stronger the cheese, the stinkier your breath can become. Think about blue cheese and Roquefort? They really get the party started in your mouth and it’s hard to make them leave!

Dr. Catania's orthodontic office in Fayetteville is now an official Cell Phones for Soldiers drop off spot.

Bring in any cell phones you are no longer using and the parts will be recycled to purchase overseas calling cards for soldiers to keep in touch with their families and friends.

Just one cell phone can make a difference and bring some joy to our men and women overseas!

If you have any questions about this great program, give us a call or stop by Dr. Catania's office.

At Dr. Catania's office, we make every effort to make your orthodontic experience pleasant and enjoyable. We not only provide superior orthodontic care, but we have frequent contests. One of those contests is our Share-A-Smile Contest.

We would like to congratulate Samantha J. for winning our latest Share-A-Smile prize. Samantha won a 19" HDTV +DVD + PC Monitor!

Remember that you, too, can participate in Share-A-Smile!

--Just take one of the referral cards from our reception area

--Fill in your name

--Give it to a friend or family member before their initial exam with Dr. Catania

--Your friend or family member will bring it to the initial exam to enter your name into the current drawing

Good luck and thank you for sharing your friends and families with us at Dr. Catania's office!

Our end of August Share-A-Smile prize will be a $250 visa gift card! So start sending in your referral cards to increase the likelihood that you will win!

At Dr. Catania's office, we know how important it is to get kids brushing at an early age. So we found this great children's video to show just how fun oral hygiene can be. Watch it with the kids and stop by our office in Fayetteville, New York for a consultation.

Yes, it is, and that’s part of what makes it work. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we do at Dr. Catania's office is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next we use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And since the aligners are virtually invisible, nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Catania is a certified Invisalign provider. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, give us a call at 315-446-3360.

Bad breath can be a real downer, especially when you are out on a date with that girl or boy you’ve had a crush on all semester! However, at Dr. Catania's office, we want you to know that bad breath can be prevented!

Bad breath, or as your doctor may call it “halitosis,” is caused by odor-producing bacteria that grows in your mouth. This bacteria gathers on bits of food in your mouth and between your teeth and release sulfur compounds making your breath smell. Some foods, like garlic and onions, may contribute more to bad breath because of oils the food the food releases, and smoking is also a major cause of bad breath.

There are several myths around bad breath. Here are some common myths and the truth behind it all:

Myth #1: Mouthwash will make my breath smell better

Mouthwash will make your breath smell better, but it is only a temporary fix. If you use mouthwash, just know that you will still need to brush and floss when you get the chance as mouthwash alone will not kill all of the bacteria producing germs in your mouth. When choosing a mouthwash, pick an antiseptic with plaque-reducing compounds. Also make sure any dental products you choose comes with the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of approval!

Myth #2: I brush my teeth; I will never have bad breath

Brushing your teeth will save you from having breath, but the truth is most people only brush their teeth for about 30-45 seconds! You need to brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, twice a day to give your teeth a thorough cleansing. It’s also important to brush your tongue, which is where a majority of odor causing bacteria like to hang out. Lastly, flossing to remove food and plaque between the teeth will also help reduce your chances of having bad breath!

Myth #3: If I don’t smell it, then my breath is fresh

This is a false assumption in every sense of the word! The truth is that the breath you breathe out is not the same breath coming out when you talk to someone. When you breathe you are not using your throat as you do when you are talking; and when you talk more breath moves over the back of your mouth where bacteria is causing bad breath.

#1 TRUTH: Brush your teeth twice a day (for at least 2 minutes), floss at least once and visit your dentist every six months…this way your breath will always be fresh! Not letting your nerves get the best of you on your date? That’s up to you!!!

Hope this helps! From Dr. Catania's office!

There are so many questions about orthodontics that we never ask, so Dr. Catania took some time to explain the most common concerns.
At what age should orthodontic treatment occur?

Orthodontic treatment can be started at any age. Many orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected at an early age before jaw growth has slowed. Early treatment may mean that a patient can avoid surgery and more serious complications. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child first visit an orthodontist by age seven or earlier if a problem is detected by parents, the family dentist or the child's physician.

What is Phase I and Phase II treatment?

Phase I, or early interceptive treatment, is limited orthodontic treatment (i.e. expander, Herbst, Facemask, headgear, or partial braces) before all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Such treatment can occur between the ages of six and ten. This treatment is sometimes recommended to make more space for developing teeth, correction of crossbites, overbites, underbites, or harmful oral habits. Phase II treatment is also called comprehensive treatment, because it involves full braces when all of the permanent teeth have erupted, usually between the ages of eleven and thirteen.

Would an adult patient benefit from orthodontics?

Absolutely!! Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. Everyone wants a beautiful and healthy smile. Between 30-40% of our patients are adults.

How does orthodontic treatment work?

Braces use steady gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into their proper positions. The brackets that are placed on your teeth and the arch wire that connects them are the main components. When the arch wire is placed into the brackets, it tries to return to its original shape. As it does so, it applies pressure to move your teeth to their new, more ideal positions.

How long does orthodontic treatment take?

Treatment times vary on a case-by-case basis, but the average time is from one to two years. Actual treatment time can be affected by rate of growth and severity of the correction necessary. Treatment length is also dependent upon patient compliance. Maintaining good oral hygiene and keeping regular appointments are important in keeping your treatment time on schedule.

Do braces hurt?

The placement of bands and brackets on your teeth does not hurt. Once your braces are placed and connected with the arch wires, you may feel some soreness of your teeth for one to four days. Your lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to get used to the braces on your teeth.

Will braces interfere with playing sports?

No. It is recommended, however, that patients protect their smiles by wearing a mouth guard when participating in any sporting activity. Mouth guards are inexpensive, comfortable, and come in a variety of colors and patterns.

Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments?

No. However, there may be an initial period of adjustment. In addition, brace covers or wax can be provided to prevent discomfort.

Should I see my general dentist while I have braces?

Yes, you should continue to see your general dentist every six months for cleaning and dental checkups, or more frequently as recommended.

Got more questions? Give us a call at Dr. Catania's office. We'd love to hear from you.

We at Dr. Catania's office know that it is important to take care of your teeth and sometimes it's confusing to know when you need a dentist and when you need an orthodontist. So we had Dr. Catania explain orthodontics.

What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities (i.e. "bad bites" and "crooked teeth").

What is an orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a specialist who has completed an advanced education program following dental school, to learn the special skills required to manage tooth movement and guide facial development.

What are some possible benefits of orthodontics?

--A more attractive smile
--Reduced appearance-consciousness during critical development years (improved self-esteem)
--Better function of the teeth
--Increased self-confidence
--Increased ability to clean the teeth
--Improved force distribution and wear patterns of the teeth
--Better long-term health of teeth and gums
--Guide permanent teeth into more favorable positions
--Reduce the risk of injury to protruded front teeth
--Aid in optimizing other dental treatment

What are some signs that braces may be needed?

Below are some of the more common signs that orthodontics may be needed:

--Upper-front teeth protrude excessively over the lower teeth, or are bucked
--Upper-front teeth cover the majority of the lower teeth when biting together (deep bite)
--Upper-front teeth are behind or inside the lower-front teeth (underbite)
--The upper- and lower-front teeth do not touch when biting together (open bite)
--Crowded or overlapped teeth.
--The center of the upper and lower teeth do not line up.
--Finger- or thumb-sucking habits which continue after six or seven years old
--Difficulty chewing
--Teeth wearing unevenly or excessively
--The lower jaw shifts to one side or the other when biting together
--Spaces between the teeth

If you have any of these conditions and you would like a consultation, give us a call today at Dr. Catania's office. We would love to chat with you.

Everybody knows that smoking causes lung cancer, but did you also know that smokers and tobacco are susceptible to a variety of oral health problems at a faster rate than non-smokers?

It’s true! Smoking is responsible for almost 75% of gum disease in adults; and, similar to smokers, adults who smoke pipes and cigars, as well as those using smokeless tobacco, are just as susceptible to gum disease and other tobacco related health problems.

As soon as you use tobacco products, you become more likely to experience any of these oral-health problems:

• Oral cancer
• Gum disease
• Tooth loss
• Loss of bone in the jaw
• Gum recession
• Delayed/impaired healing process after oral surgery or any other treatment
• Decreased success rate of dental implant (tooth replacement) procedures
• Mouth sores
• Loss of your sense of taste and smell
• Bad breath
• Tooth and tongue stains

If you are interested in protecting your oral health we strongly recommend you quit using tobacco products! The following steps are recommended by the Surgeon General to help you quit smoking and using tobacco:

• Get ready – set a quitting date and remove all materials from your home, car and office
• Get support
• Learn new skills and behaviors
• Get medication and use it correctly
• Be prepared for relapse or difficult situations

For support, start with Dr. Catania! We can help by recommending different options to help you quit, and above all we will support you throughout the quitting process. We are dedicated to helping you protect your oral health – and quitting smoking is significant step in the right direction.

We at Dr. Catania's office would like to congratulate Giovanni M. for winning our Share-A-Smile prize! Giovanni won a Nintendo Wii for referring Elizabeth O. to our office!

Remember that you, too, can participate in Share-A-Smile!

* Just take one of the referral cards from our reception area

* Fill in your name

* Give it to a friend or family member before their initial exam with Dr. Catania

* Your friend or family member will bring it to the initial exam to enter your name into the current drawing

Our next prize is a 19' LCD TV with DVD player and the winner will be randomly picked April 2009.

Good luck and thank you for sharing your friends and families with us at Dr. Catania's Office!

A tooth’s duty is to chew food, but often we at Dr. Catania's Office see patients whose teeth have picked up an undesirable side job – chewing nails.

A familiar habit, nail biting is common in childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood. Teenagers are the most frequent culprits, boys tend toward nail biting more than girls, and most adults have dropped the habit by the age of 30.

Adults can beat the nail-biting habit with a little will power. Follow these tips:

* Keep nails trimmed and filed. Paying positive attention to your nails can help you overcome the urge to bite.
* Have regular manicures or paint nails regularly. Polish serves as a visual reminder to avoid biting, or a reward after a week of abstinence.
* Cover nails with a bitter-tasting polish. It’s difficult to bite your nails when they taste like pepper.
* Snap a rubber band on the inside of the wrist when nail biting occurs. Train yourself to stop biting with a negative physical response.
* Ask a family member for help. If you find yourself biting your nails without thinking about it, a family member can (kindly) point out your behavior to you.
* Carry a nail file and clippers. When the urge to bite strikes, file or trim instead.

You can help your children quit with some patience. Follow these tips:

* Be clear about the problems with nail biting. Explain that you don’t like nail biting because it’s unhealthy and it makes nails look bad.
* Provide simple alternatives to nail biting. When you find your child biting, suggest a different, age-appropriate activity.
* Avoid negativity. Children can respond to punishment or criticism by nail biting to spite parents.
* Embrace positive reinforcement. Designate a fun activity after a day without biting, and a larger reward for a week without biting.
* Get your child involved in the process. Ask him his opinion on the best way to quit.
* Make use of physical barriers. Use bitter-tasting nail polish during the day or bandages or socks on the hands at night to remind your child not to bite.
* Be patient. Habits don’t appear overnight, nor do they disappear quickly. Be prepared to handle relapses calmly.

Regardless of age, nail biting is often a stress-induced activity. Pay attention to your patterns or your child’s patterns. If nail biting regularly occurs in response to a stressful situation, it’s more useful to focus on removing or dealing with the stressor.

No matter what the underlying cause, nail biting is a habit best avoided or overcome. Aside from a set of beautiful nails, a recovered biter enjoys a hearty sense of accomplishment. And your teeth will thank you too! Give us a call at Dr. Catania's office if your teeth need a little extra TLC.

Joseph Catania prides himself on providing the upmost in orthodontic care. Just listen to what his patients are saying about his superior services.
>Dr. Catania always makes us feel special (like we're his only patient). He never rushes during appointments and takes a "wait and be patient approach" before applying braces. I also like that he collects winter clothing for the less fortunate.
-Andrew G.

They have very friendly employees, fun games like which pet belongs to which employee, and how much money is in the jar. You also have the wooden nickle for brushing and a gift certificate to target which my son strives for.
-Colleen K.

My daughter really likes the staff and atmosphere. She just had her first visit the other day and loves the office and how they make her feel.
-Cheryl M.

He did a great job with my older child's teeth and is doing the same with my younger child. He has a good disposition and is not condescending.
-Eric T.

Dr. Catania has a commitment to public health and a strong academic background.
-Peter B.

He is very nice and I understand him when he talks about my treatment.
-Thomas P.

Everyone on Dr. Catania’s staff is extremely friendly and accommodating, he is comfortable to speak to, takes the time to explain to his patients about their orthodontics, always asks if I have any questions, and he always has a SMILE! You can't get that everywhere you go.
-Marsha S.

He is very friendly and helped to calm down my nervous and overly excited child.
-Gary C.

He is kind, talented and always on time!
-Linda L.

As the winter months drag on you may be running out of ideas to keep your little ones occupied. Why not use a fun and simple science experiment to focus their attention for a while? This one includes a lesson about why it’s important to brush teeth to make plaque go away.

Gather the items you will need for this experiment:

* 1 hard-boiled egg with the shell on
* 12 ounces of Coke, Pepsi or other dark-colored cola
* 1 container large enough to hold the cola and egg
* 1 plastic bowl
* 1 toothbrush
* 1 drop of fluoride toothpaste
* Clean-up supplies

Explain to your child that plaque is a sticky layer of germs that collects on her teeth. If she doesn’t brush, plaque can cause serious problems for her teeth, for example holes in the teeth (cavities) or swollen gums (gingivitis). Tell her that you are going to do an experiment to see how plaque coats her teeth, and why brushing twice a day is important for healthy teeth and gums.

Conduct the experiment:

1. Make the comparison between the white color of the egg and the white color of your child's teeth.

2. Place the egg into the container and pour the cola over it, so that it completely covers the egg.

3. Let the egg sit in the cola for 24 hours.

4. Remove the egg from the cola. The egg will be stained and yellowish.
5. Explain to your child that the colored layer that has appeared on top of the eggshell is just like the layer of plaque that occurs on her teeth.

6. Place the egg in the plastic bowl and give your child the toothbrush with the drop of toothpaste on it.

7. Let her brush the "plaque" off of the egg. The yellowish film will disappear, exposing the white eggshell. Explain that the same thing happens when she brushes her teeth.

There are so many ways you protect your teeth throughout your orthodontic treatment. You brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly and protect your mouth and appliances from being damaged. But did you know there is another, often forgotten about, way to keep your teeth clean and healthy during your treatment? Fluoride – a mineral that helps prevent cavities and tooth decay – can help keep your teeth strong! Fluoride comes in two varieties, topical and systemic. Topical fluoride is applied directly to the tooth. Topical fluoride includes toothpastes and mouth rinses. Systemic fluorides are swallowed in the form of a dietary supplement. Dentists and orthodontists use in-office fluoride treatments to help protect the oral health of adults and children undergoing dental/orthodontic procedures.

Fluoride used in the our orthodontic office is often times a stronger concentration than in toothpaste or mouthwash, but is available at some drug stores or a pharmacy (ask your doctor how to purchase professional strength fluoride). A fluoride treatment typically takes just a few minutes. After the treatment patients may be asked not to rinse, eat or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride. Depending on your oral health or doctor’s recommendation, you may be required to have a fluoride treatment every three, six or 12 months. Your doctor may also prescribe a fluoride product such as mouthwashes, gels or antibacterial rinses for at-home treatment.

When choosing your own fluoride product be sure to check for the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of acceptance. Products marked with the ADA seal of approval have been carefully examined and have met the criteria of the ADA for safety and effectiveness. Take care of your teeth, and smile bright!

One question we hear all the time is “When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?”

You should begin regular cleanings even before your baby has teeth. After each breast feeding – or bottle-feeding – use a clean, damp washcloth to gently rub your baby’s gum tissue. You can wrap the material around one finger to make it easier to remove any food bits from your baby’s mouth.

When your baby’s first tooth comes in switch to a baby toothbrush. Look for special baby toothbrushes in your drugstore – they have just a few bristles and are very soft. There are even brushes shaped like finger puppets that fit over the tip of your pointer finger! All you need at this point is water – no toothpaste yet.

After a few more teeth appear, you can start using toothpaste, but you only need a tiny bit, and make sure it doesn’t contain fluoride for the first three years. From the beginning, have your little one practice spitting the toothpaste out after brushing. That way, he or she will already have the good habit of spitting when you switch to fluoride toothpaste, which should never be swallowed.

If you have any questions about caring for your baby’s teeth, please contact Dr. Catania.

Vending machines are a quick way to satisfy hunger. You put in $1.50 and you get back a candy bar, bag of chips or even a soda…but that’s not all! Vending machines not only dispense sweet treats and caffeine bursts, but they also dispense cavities!

Every time you chow down on that chocolate bar the bacteria in your mouth have a party feasting on the sugar. The sugar quickly turns into acid; that’s right, ACID!!! The acid sits on your teeth and eats away at the tooth’s natural enamel (the stuff that protects your tooth from decay). When this enamel is eaten away by the acid on your tooth, you get a cavity! Brushing your teeth after eating a sugary treat can help prevent cavities; but before you indulge remind yourself: “can’t brush? Hold the sugar!”

When choosing a snack, consider these nutritional options that will not only satisfy your hunger and that “sweet tooth”, but won’t cause acid build up resulting in cavities:

• Fresh Fruits (berries, oranges, melon, pears, etc)
• Soft Bread
• Milk (low or non-fat)
• Cheese (low or non-fat)
• Sliced meat