Are There Teeth Grinders in Your House? - Dr. Joseph Catania

Grind, grind, grind, grind. If you live with a teeth grinder, especially a night grinder, you may be familiar with this unpleasant sound. Other symptoms of teeth grinding (technically called “bruxism”) include:

• Sensitivity in the teeth
• Tightness or pain in the jaw
• Dull headaches, earaches, or facial pain
• Chipped, worn down, or loose teeth

People frequently grind their teeth in response to stress, so taking measures to reduce or eliminate stress can help solve the problem. Here are some things you can try to stop grinding:

• Cut back on caffeine and alcohol
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
• Relax right before bedtime with a warm bath or shower
• Help your jaw learn to relax by quitting any chewing habits (pens, pencils, gum)
• When clenching or grinding happens during the day, place your tongue between your teeth to serve as a reminder to avoid the habit

If grinding goes untreated, it can lead to chipped teeth, worn enamel, chronic pain, or even TMJ, a painful jaw disorder. If the teeth-grinder in your house can’t stop, make an appointment to see us by calling 315-446-3360. Dr. Catania can help determine the cause of the problem and possibly even prescribe a custom mouthpiece to help break the habit.

Dr. Catania Dispels Some Bad Breath Myths!

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, 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!!!

Understanding Cavities - Dr. Joseph Catania

One word nobody wants to hear when they visit the dentist is Cavity! That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do they happen? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by your dentist, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily
• Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)
• Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach
• Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink
• Be sure to visit your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up

Gum Disease Can Sneak Up on You!

It’s easy to tell when you have a cavity; but unfortunately, gum disease can exist in your mouth without you even knowing. In fact, you can have the beginning stages of gum disease without noticing any pain or discomfort. Since gum disease can be undetectable, it’s important to watch for warning signs in order to prevent the disease from worsening!

Signs to watch for:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position
• Any change in the way partial dentures fit

If you or someone in your family is showing these signs, make an appointment right away by giving us a call. We can diagnose the problem and begin treatment to save your teeth and give you back a healthy mouth!

Regular Checkups Are Important!

Are you brushing your teeth twice a day? If yes, that’s great; but, don’t forget that it’s also important to visit the dentist every six months in addition to your orthodontic visits. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Your dentist can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth

During an oral exam the doctor will 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, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment!

What's So Special About an Orthodontist?

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Catania started out in dental school and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Catania decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics; which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

Moooove Over Gum Disease!

Is dairy a major part of your diet? If not, it should be! A recent study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease).

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and jaw. Gum disease results in a loss of teeth and bone, and has been connected to certain cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis.

Results of the study show that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease. Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Next time you reach for a quick snack, choose some cheese, or a glass of milk, and remember with each bite, and every sip you are preserving your teeth for a lifetime of smiles and good oral health!

For more information about keeping your teeth healthy, call us at 315-446-3360 or visit www.bracesandmore.com.

When Is Thumb-Sucking a Cause for Worry?

Lots of you have asked us about whether it’s healthy for children to suck thumbs (or, less frequently, fingers). If you’ve got a thumb-sucker in the house, you are not alone. Research tells us that between 75% and 95% of infants suck their thumbs. Is this anything to worry about?

In most cases, no. Sucking is a natural reflex for an infant, and can provide security and contentment as well as relaxation for your little one. It’s a habit that most children grow out of between the ages of 2 and 4.

However, if your child keeps sucking after he’s gotten his permanent teeth, it’s time to take a closer look. If your child sucks his thumb aggressively, putting pressure on the inside of his mouth or his teeth, it could cause problems with tooth alignment and proper mouth growth. If you’re worried, give us a call at 315-446-3360 and we will help assess the situation, and provide tips for how to help your child break the habit.

Why Is it So Important to Have Straight Teeth?

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.

Halloween Candy Buy-Back - Dr. Catania Fayetteville, NY

Halloween Candy Buy-Back will be here before you know it!

Remember to bring in all of your hard, sticky, and chewy candies (as well as any other candy) between November 3rd - 13th! More info will follow via snail mail!

* Receive $1 per pound of candy you bring in

* Dr. Catania will donate $1 per pound to United Way to help others in need

* Candy received will benefit local food pantries for holiday treats

Also get ready for our annual Coat Drive! When you bring your candy, you can also bring in your no-longer-needed gently used coats, hats, mittens, scarves, snowpants, and boots.

We will accept all coat drive items November 3rd-December 11. All items will benefit Catholic Charities women's, children's, and men's shelters.

Gummy Tummy

We know the rumors going around – mostly among young people – that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will stake a claim and take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing!

Everybody Benefits from Braces!

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore!

Anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic care; whether it is correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry!

You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a consultation and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, and your life!

Cost of Orthodontic Treatment

The cost of treatment depends on the severity of the patient's problem. You will be able to discuss fees and payment options before treatment begins. We have flexible payment plans to suit different budgets, including a no-down-payment option. We also accept assignment from most insurance plans, and file the necessary papers to the insurance company. The balance not paid by insurance will be arranged for you to pay. We work hard to make orthodontics affordable. Let our administrative staff show you the many ways that braces can fit in your budget.

Fees
In an effort to keep orthodontic fees down while maintaining the highest level of professional care, we have established this financial policy:

* If full payment is made at the onset of treatment, we will offer a fee discount. (If you have insurance, we will offer a discount for payment of your portion of the fee that will not be covered by insurance.)
* To fit your individual needs, financial arrangements can be made to extend your payment over a period of months. These arrangements include no interest and low interest options.
* For your convenience, we accept payment by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover.
* In cases of serious delinquency, treatment will be discontinued, although we will make every effort to accommodate patients with temporary difficulties.

Insurance
If you have insurance, we will help you to determine the coverage you have available. We will help in every way we can in filing your claim and handling insurance questions from our office on your behalf.

Meet our Team

Carlene, Board Certified Orthodontic Technician

Carlene's duties at Dr. Catania's office include chairside patient care, ordering, and roles as Budget Coordinator and OSHA Coordinator. She has worked in the field of orthodontics since 1987 and with Dr. Catania since 1989. Her favorite thing about working with Dr. Catania is his level of caring about his patients, and she loves how happy the final result makes the patients and how it affects their self-confidence.

Karen, Dental Assistant

Karen serves as Records Technician and takes care of sterilization in the office. She has worked in the field of orthodontics since 2002 and with Dr. Catania since 2002. Her favorite thing about the practice of orthodontics is watching patients' progress and seeing the results of their treatment. She says Dr. Catania is a friendly, outgoing person who is great with patients. Karen is a native of Syracuse, NY, and has lived in Cicero, NY since 2004. She has a 16-year-old daughter, Kayleigh and enjoys running and pilates.

Kimberly, Board Certified Orthodontic Assistant

Kimberly's duties include chairside patient care, cleanup, sterilization, and inventory control. She has worked in the field of orthodontics since 1988 and has worked with Dr. Catania since 1989. Kimberly's favorite thing about the practice of orthodontics is the change in someone's personality and self-esteem after braces come off. Her favorite thing about working with Dr. Catania is that he jokes with his patients and makes them feel at home. She enjoys working with the children, making friendships with adults, and watching patients grow up and then see their children come into the office for treatment. A native of Chittenango, Kimberly has lived in Kirkville since 2003. Her family includes her husband, Allen, and her son, Alexander (age 3-1/2). When away from work she enjoys swimming, knitting, and gardening.

Midge, Dental Hygienist

Midge's clinical duties include assisting with the placement and removal of braces and all it entails. She has worked in the field of orthodontics since 1978 and with Dr. Catania since 1987. Her favorite thing about orthodontics is the fantastic smiles that are created during treatment and often seeing positive personalities blossom due to the increased confidence a better smile can give patients. Midge is proud of Dr. Catania's research for "better orthodontics" — using new technologies to move teeth in a kinder and gentler manner. She loves the people she meets at work and has always told people, "Everyone has a story." She finds it enriching to meet people and learn who they are and what fantastic lives they lead. A native of Waterville, NY, Midge has lived in Syracuse since l987. Her family includes her son, Adam (age 14), and dog, Cleo. When away from work she enjoys co-ed recreational volleyball and SU sports (football and basketball).

Rose, Office Manager

Rose's role at Dr. Catania's office includes supervising employees, handing collections, serving as Computer Administrator and backup Treatment Coordinator, and overseeing Accounts Payable, billing, and insurance. She has worked in the field of orthodontics since 1974 and with Dr. Catania since 1989. She loves learning new technology advances regarding treatment and appreciates the fact that the doctor is great with kids and wonderful at wanting to implement latest techniques to improve treatment. Rose's favorite part of her job is seeing the wonderful changes in patients' self-confidence and being able to help families with financial problems obtain orthodontic treatment. Rose is a native of Syracuse, NY, and lives with her husband, Peter, and cat, Einstein. Away from work she enjoys working out, walking, sewing, reading, knitting, crocheting, and traveling.

Sara, Treatment Coordinator

Sara's duties around the office include welcoming new patients and families and educating patients and parents regarding their individual treatment plans. She guides patients through initial visits and assists them with financial and insurance processing. Sara has worked in the field of orthodontics since 1988 and with Dr. Catania since 1989. Her favorite thing about practicing orthodontics is that Dr. Catania and his team are a family. "Our patients sense this," she says. "Adults and children actually look forward to coming to our office because we make having treatment so much fun." She appreciates that Dr. Catania relates well to each patient, whether a child, teen or adult, and finds it very satisfying to see the benefits of orthodontics, knowing that she contributed to the result.

When Are Two Phases of Treatment Necessary?

Usually patients in orthodontic treatment already have their permanent teeth – they are pre-teens, teens and adults. But in some cases we have to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. We call this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat. Examples include an upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly, or a mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in, or what we call a “severe malocclusion” (the orthodontic word for “bad bite” which means the jaws don’t fit together correctly).

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has “baby teeth.” Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent teeth are in place. Generally phase two involves standard braces.

In order to catch any early problems, we recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontics). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit our office even sooner.

Everybody Benefits from Braces!

Everybody Benefits from Braces!

Braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic care; whether it is correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! You’re never too old for a beautiful smile. Set up an appointment for a consultation and find out how adult orthodontics will transform your smile, and your life!

Toothbrush Trivia

Toothbrush Trivia

Before the toothbrush was invented, many people actually brushed their teeth with sticks!

The first time in history that people actively cleaned their teeth was between 4000 and 3000 BC in ancient Babylon (the site where Iraq is now). The Babylonians used “chew sticks” – thin twigs or tree roots that were chewed at the end to loosen the fibers and then used like brushes.

Between 2000 and 1000 BC the ancient Chinese used similar twigs to clean their teeth. But the Chinese took it one step further and used twigs from trees with a nice smell. (Perhaps this was an early attempt at breath freshening?)

The next time you brush your teeth, take a moment to be thankful that you have a nice, clean toothbrush with soft bristles – instead of a stick!

Payment & Office Policies - Dr. Catania

Cost
The cost of treatment depends on the severity of the patient's problem. You will be able to discuss fees and payment options before treatment begins. We have flexible payment plans to suit different budgets, including a no-down-payment option. We also accept assignment from most insurance plans, and file the necessary papers to the insurance company. The balance not paid by insurance will be arranged for you to pay. We work hard to make orthodontics affordable. Let our administrative staff show you the many ways that braces can fit in your budget.

Fees
In an effort to keep orthodontic fees down while maintaining the highest level of professional care, we have established this financial policy:

• If full payment is made at the onset of treatment, we will offer a fee discount. (If you have insurance, we will offer a discount for payment of your portion of the fee that will not be covered by insurance.)
• To fit your individual needs, financial arrangements can be made to extend your payment over a period of months. These arrangements include no interest and low interest options.
• For your convenience, we accept payment by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover.
• In cases of serious delinquency, treatment will be discontinued, although we will make every effort to accommodate patients with temporary difficulties.

Insurance
If you have insurance, we will help you to determine the coverage you have available. We will help in every way we can in filing your claim and handling insurance questions from our office on your behalf.

SureSmile® Fayetteville, NY - Dr. Catania

You're getting braces. And while you're excited about having that great smile, you may be nervous about wearing the wires and brackets. Well, there is a new orthodontic system that makes straightening your teeth with braces a lot faster and easier compared to conventional orthodontic treatment. It's called SureSmile and it's changing the way people feel about their braces.

Through the use of SureSmile technology, your orthodontist can offer you a "braces experience" that provides:

• Shorter treatment times
• Fewer office visits
• Less overall discomfort

Our technology-driven orthodontic process offers several important benefits that make the whole "braces experience" much easier for patients than conventional orthodontics!

Shorter Treatment Times

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, your orthodontist can reduce treatment time compared to that of conventional braces.

Fewer Office Visits

In addition to shortening treatment times, the greater efficiency of the SureSmile system also helps reduce the number of wire changes and adjustments you'll need, and that means fewer trips to the orthodontist. The SureSmile system's 3-D software lets your orthodontist analyze how to effectively and efficiently align your teeth. Through this software, personalized archwires are designed to move your teeth into proper alignment smoothly and directly, reducing the number of maintenance visits.

Less Overall Discomfort

Anyone who has worn braces will probably tell you that wire adjustments and changes were the least favorite part of the process because they usually caused discomfort. Fortunately, the SureSmile system is engineered to maximize therapeutic efficiency of each wire, significantly reducing the number of adjustments needed. This means fewer episodes of discomfort over the course of your treatment.

Contact us to learn more about SureSmile®

The Damon™ System Fayetteville, NY - Dr. Catania

We are pleased to offer our patients The Damon™ System. Damon braces allow your teeth to move more comfortably and easily than traditional braces. Thanks to these innovative new braces, achieving your perfect smile will be faster and easier than you ever thought possible.

Better Results in Less Time

With the new Damon braces, we can achieve terrific results and finish your treatment faster. Depending on your case, this may mean a savings of many months. After analyzing your specific needs, we will be able to provide you with a treatment plan that will have you smiling soon!

Elastic ligatures create friction and require more force and more frequent adjustments.

Damon braces allow freedom of movement, resulting in faster results with gentler forces.

Simplified Procedures

Damon braces are very precise and effective. With this system, we can reduce the need for many of the time-consuming and complicated procedures that are used with traditional braces.

Fewer Visits to the Office

Because Damon braces work more efficiently, fewer adjustments are required. As a result, your appointments will be faster and fewer in number.

Greater Comfort

Due to the unique design of this new braces system, we can move your teeth into their correct positions with much less discomfort than traditional braces. Also, Damon braces are small, very comfortable, and easy to keep clean.

View our Damon™ System page to see videos!

Invisalign - Fayetteville, NY - Dr. Catania

Dr. Catania is a Certified Invisalign Provider

Consider Invisalign to get the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted – without braces. A complimentary consultation with Dr. Catania can determine if Invisalign is right for you.

What is it?

Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable, and comfortable aligners that are nearly invisible so you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Invisalign is made with 3-D computer imaging technology, and has been proven effective.

Why would I want it?

Not only are the aligners nearly invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also more comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. No metal and wires usually means you spend less time in your doctor's office getting adjustments. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start, so you can see a pretty good estimate of how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

How does it work?

You wear each set of aligners typically for about two to four weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week – until they have straightened to the final position Dr. Catania has prescribed. You'll visit Dr. Catania about once every three to eight weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages eight to twenty months but will vary from case to case.

Contact our office today to learn more!

Orthodontist Job Shadowing and News - Dr. Catania

Congratulations to:

Andrew Gurka !!

He is our latest "A" Team winner. Andrew won a $20 gift card to Target just for keeping his teeth clean!

* Many thanks to all of our great patients who participated in our Summer Food Drive! Dr. Catania matched all item donations as well as cash donations! Distributions were made to benefit Minoa's Heaven's Pantry, Tully Pantry, LaFayette Outreach, and the Fabius Pantry.

* We were fortunate to have several teenagers shadow Dr. Catania this summer. Shariq Shaikh, Ashley Smith, and John Mortelliti all gave up some of their valuable time to learn more about orthodontics as a career choice! Thank you all for your interest and we hope you learned a lot and enjoyed yourselves.

More about Shariq:

Shariq is now a freshman at the University of Buffalo. He graduated from Fayetteville-Manlius High School and will be taking pre-dental courses in anticipation of attending dental school in Buffalo or Connecticut followed by an orthodontic curriculum. He spent a lot of time in our office and is looking forward to focusing on college. In addition to shadowing this summer, Shariq is our patient and has a patient's perspective as well!

Shariq was originally interested in pursuing a career in medicine and then shifted gears toward dentistry. He thinks being an orthodontist will be interesting and fulfilling (Dr. Catania can confirm that it is)!

He enjoyed his time observing and asking questions in our office. He learned how the certified orthodontic assistants and doctor interact with each other as well as communication skills with patients. He likes how our office is friendly and jokes around a lot - he said this makes it fun for the patients and helps them relax. He was very helpful by assisting us in seating patients and learning sterilization techniques.

Shariq, known as "Shark" to some, says that shadowing is "a good way to figure out if it is really what you want to do." He recommends that if you want to learn, you have to make sure to ask a lot of questions!

We wish Shariq the best of luck in his endeavors to become an orthodontist!

Sarah Huggins - Share-A-Smile Contest Winner - Fayetteville, NY

We would like to congratulate Sarah Huggins for winning our Share-A-Smile drawing. Sarah won a $250 visa gift card for referring Carly Cox 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 Wii and the winner will be randomly picked on December 23rd

Good luck and thank you for sharing your friends and families with us!

Wooden Nickels and SureSmile

Remember your wooden nickels. Each "A" grade in your brushing earns you a wooden nickel.
Five (5) wooden nickels = $5 gift card
to your choice of Barnes & Noble or Target!


SureSmile technology is here! More efficient treatment yields shorter treatment time!

Congratulations to:

McKenzie Kallquist - saved 6 months

Taylor Procopio - saved 7 months

Patrick Burke - saved 8 months

Christine Sypher - saved 12 months

Contest Winners! - Dr. Joseph Catania

Congratulations to:

Alec Beaton!
Zoe Meighan!
Kirsten Russell!

They are our latest "A" Team winners. They each won a $20 gift card to Target just for keeping their teeth clean!


* Many thanks to Ally Egan's mom, Janice, for offering her personal training skills at Fitness Forum as a contest prize. Jacob and Karen Larosche's mom, Patty, won the personal training sessions!

* Kyle Zimmer's mom, Cynthia, won our Mother's Day drawing for a Spa day at Visage!

* Andrew and Emma Powlin's dad, Michael, won our Father's Day drawing for a car detailing!

Our Share-A-Smile program is a great success! Joshua Goddard was the excited winner of a 20" LCD TV with built in DVD player!

Contact us for more informations about are Share-A-Smile program!

A little about me

"I suppose that you could say I create beautiful smiles for a living. That may be true, but I've always really felt like I change people’s lives. The work I do is as important as many medical procedures and certainly as important as most cosmetic ones. I know this is so because I have patients who have told me they felt better physically and emotionally and some whose self-esteem was greatly improved through orthodontics.

"It's important that both children and adults feel relaxed and comfortable with their orthodontist. People will do important activities such as brushing their teeth if it's fun, so we do all we can to make everyone feel at home.

"I believe the positive experiences our child and adult patients enjoy in our office encourage them to take an active role in taking good care of their smiles for the rest of their lives."

Committed to the special needs of smiles of all ages

"My education provided me with the background I needed to start creating beautiful smiles for my patients. I am uniquely qualified because I have experience as a general dentist, too. That experience has proven invaluable to my patients and me."

Certificate in Orthodontics: Eastman Dental Center, Rochester, NY
Certificate in TMJ Disorders: Eastman Dental Center, Rochester, NY
DDS: Columbia University, New York, NY
MPH: Columbia University, New York, NY
General Dentistry: National Health Service Corps

Staying in touch with his peers

"My professional associations are a way to learn new techniques and keep abreast of the latest technology. But, the other incentive to professional associations is the knowledge that something I may contribute will help put a beautiful, straight smile on the face of a child in another part of the country whom I’ll never meet. That gives me great satisfaction."

Member:
American Association of Orthodontists
Northeastern Society of Orthodontists
American Dental Association
Onondaga County Dental Society
Fifth District Society of the State of New York
New York State Dental Association
American Cleft Palate Association – Cleft Palate Team
Upstate Medical Center Angle Society, Pierre Fauchard Academy

Teaching others the art of beautiful smiles

"One of my favorite professional activities is my work as a teacher. Working with others and showing them what I have learned through research and my years of private practice is very rewarding."

Clinical Instructor of Orthodontics and TMJ: Eastman Dental Center, University of Rochester Graduate Orthodontics Department
Instructor: St. Joseph's Hospital Dental Clinic
Medical Faculty: Cleft Palate Team, Upstate Medical Center

Certifications and research

Certified: Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders via Fellowship at the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Dental licenses: New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania
Author and Lecturer on orthodontics and TMJ