The Powerful Impact Behind A Smile
By Katrina Musto
Dr. Anthony Terrana knows the pain (both physical and mental) that is associated with braces and is here to change that mindset. He opened his boutique practice, Terrana Orthodontics in the fall of 2020 and enjoys being hands-on when treating children, adolescents, and adults.
After graduating from Rutgers School of Dental Medicine and completing his orthodontic residency from Seton Hill in Pennsylvania, he treated thousands of cases before deciding to open his own practice. As a Board-Certified Orthodontist, he takes pride in encouraging parents to be present chair-side at every visit, preferring to keep them up to date on where he’s going with treatment. “We offer metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign, and Phase 1 interceptive treatment,” he says, adding, “Our practice is completely digital. We don’t use conventional gooey impressions.” All are taken using a digital Itero scanner, eliminating the discomfort of traditional impressions. Our models are all 3-D printed.”
Terrana Orthodontics also employs self-ligating braces, which are newer to the market. Unlike conventional braces, these are friction-free, which allow the wire to slide easier in the slot of the braces. They allow quicker treatment time, more accurate results, and less pain throughout treatment. They are also smaller than traditional braces, leading to more comfort and the ability to be discreet. The most rewarding aspect of Dr. Terrana’s job is the day he is able to remove the braces completely. “Just being there to witness someone’s reaction after removing them and seeing their new smile for the first time brings tremendous joy and gratification to my life,” he says. “Orthodontic treatment is life-changing for so many people. I’ve seen the shyest of children walk through my door and leave after treatment with so much happiness and confidence. It’s truly amazing to be able to go to work every day and change people’s lives!”
Dr. Terrana wasn’t always a fan of the dental chair, which helps him relate to his patients even further. “As a child, I was bullied for having buck teeth with a huge gap,” he recalls. “I was so self-conscious to smile, and many times even avoided social gatherings.” Compounded with this was the fact that he was also terrified of doctor offices. In the fourth grade, his parents took him to the orthodontist and it completely changed his life. “It was such a warm, friendly, non-intimidating environment. It was the first doctor’s office I was not afraid of,” he adds.
Once treatment was done and his gap was closed, his bite was perfect and he was never afraid to smile again. He proudly recollects, “It gave me a sense of confidence I never had. I knew at that point it was always a passion of mine.” That passion resurfaced in dental school when he attended a mission trip to an orphanage in Nicaragua to volunteer free dental service to underprivileged children. The reaction of these children after fixing their teeth provided such tremendous gratification, which further solidified his decision to become an orthodontist and make a powerful impact.