Leslie's Before & After

This is cool! Check out the transformation of Leslie's smile during her treatment at Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics!

Spring Invisalign special at Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics!

Take advantage of our Spring Invisalign special now through May 6 and smile confidently during and after treatment with Invisalign. Smooth, clear, comfortable aligners gradually move your teeth toward the smile you’ve always wanted.
We are proud to offer $500 off Invisalign treatment through May 6th ONLY. You deserve the beautiful smile of your dreams. Call our office today and we’ll evaluate your smile at a no-charge Invisalign consultation with Dr. Greenberg.

Please give us a call at (626) 768-7766 to set up a complimentary consultation so you can discuss the specifics of your treatment with Dr. Greenberg.

See you soon!

Dr. Vickie Greenberg, Pasadena's premier Invisalign provider

Have you ever considered getting the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted — without braces? A complimentary consultation with Dr. Vickie Greenberg can determine if Invisalign treatment is right for you.

So, what is Invisalign?

Invisalign uses a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. 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. More than 70% of orthodontists in the US and Canada are certified to treat with Invisalign, including Dr. Greenberg.

Why would I want Invisalign?

Not only are the aligners 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 comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

How does Invisalign work?

You wear each set of aligners for about 2 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. Greenberg has prescribed. You'll visit Greenberg Orthodontics about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.

If you have any questions about Invisalign treatment with Dr. Greenberg, or have questions about your treatment, feel free to give us a call!

Ask Dr. Greenberg: What's the deal with retainers?

If you recently completed treatment with Dr. Vickie Greenberg, we’d like to congratulate you! Again! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Greenberg 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. Greenberg 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 on Facebook!

How important is your smile? From Dr. Greenberg

At Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics, we offer a different kind of orthodontic experience! Yes, we do provide the highest quality care in the Pasadena and Altadena area by using state-of-the-art equipment and treatments procedures to create for you a gorgeous smile.

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.

When you're ready to experience the benefits of orthodontic care, contact Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics! Our practice is located in Altadena, North of Pasadena, providing morning, afternoon, and evening appointments, and complimentary consultations for new patients and their families. Call (626) 798-7645 to schedule an appointment.

See you soon!

Get to know your braces! From Dr. Greenberg

Should you need to call Dr. Greenberg's office in case you sustain any damage to your braces, 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 or ask Dr. Greenberg during your next visit!

Connect with Dr. Greenberg on Facebook!

At Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics, we value the relationships we have developed with our patients in New Altadena, Pasadena, L.A. and surrounding communities. Even if you only see Dr. Greenberg for your appointment on a regular basis, did you know that you can now connect with us on Facebook?

There, we share office news, announcements and any updates, so check it out! By Liking our page, you will receive updates from our office automatically in your news feed!

See you on Facebook!

Talkin' fluoride with Dr. Greenberg

There are so many ways you protect your teeth throughout your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Vickie Greenberg - 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.

Fluoride used in the dentist’s office is often times a stronger concentration than in toothpaste or mouthwash, but is available at some drug stores or a pharmacy (ask Dr. Greenberg 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!

Invisalign testimonial [Video]

We came across this video not too long ago, and realized that it's just what people considering Invisalign need to see. Invisalign gets a ton of promotion online (including here on our blog), but people rarely get the see a clear cut, unbiased, point of view from someone who actually has chosen to straighten their teeth with Invisalign. As an orthodontist in LA, I get quite a lot of requests for Invisalign. I always let my patients know about the stages of Invisalign as well as how one might first react to it. But, to hear it from someone else, checkout this video of a patient who has been wearing her aligners for 10 minutes:

Tell us what's on your mind!

By now, you know the drill: each week, Dr. Vickie Greenberg and our dedicated team blog about important topics pertinent to orthodontic care and your well-being. This week, however, we thought we’d step back a little and ask you, our great patients: what’s on your mind?

What would you like to know about the always-changing field of orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog? Perhaps there’s something you’ve been wanting to ask us for a while now? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook fan page!

So… take it away and our team at Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics will try to answer any questions you may have!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

At Dr. Greenberg's office, February Marks National Children's Dental Health Month

With February being National Children's Dental Health Month, our team at Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics thought we'd share a few good oral hygiene tips with our patients, courtesy of the American Dental Association, or ADA.

• Teeth brushing techniques: It takes only two minutes to properly brush, using short, gentle strokes and devoting extra attention to the gumline, areas around fillings and hard-to-reach areas such as the back teeth.
• Flossing: hold the floss snugly between thumbs and index finger and place between each of the teeth, making sure to go beneath the gumline and curving the floss around the base of each tooth.
• Snack wisely: choose healthy snacks such as vegetables, fruits and cheese and avoid sticky, chewy candies that can stick to the teeth. If you eat these snacks, make sure to brush after doing so.
• Carbonated or sugary drinks: these beverages create acids that can damage the teeth when mixed with saliva, so they should be avoided altogether. When drinking one of these beverages, avoid sipping on it throughout the day. Rather, have a drink and then brush your teeth.
• Regular dental visits: in addition to seeing Dr. Vickie Greenberg, you should visit your dentist regularly (approximately every six months).

National Children's Dental Health Month, now in its 61st year, aims to increase awareness about the importance of kids' oral health. If you have any questions about keeping your mouth healthy, or about your treatment with Dr. Greenberg, please feel free to give us a call!

Ask Dr. Greenberg: What are "Dentofacial Orthopedics"?

You may have noticed that Dr. Vickie Greenberg specializes in "Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics." While most people have heard of orthodontics, many are confused by the "dentofacial orthopedics" part of the title.

Not to worry - we can explain!

You probably know that orthodontists like Dr. Greenberg straighten teeth, and indeed: "ortho" comes from the Greek for "straight" or "correct," and "dontic" from the Greek for "teeth." But what about dentofacial orthopedics? "Dentofacial" is "teeth" plus "face" while "ortho" again means "straight" and "pedic" is from the Greek for "child."

Essentially, while orthodontics entails the management of tooth movement, dentofacial orthopedics involves the guidance of facial growth and development, which occurs largely during childhood. In both cases, appliances are frequently used – the more familiar braces for orthodontics, and other specialized appliances like headgear and expanders depending on what facial abnormalities are present. Sometimes orthopedic treatment may precede conventional braces, but often the two are accomplished at the same time. So if your child gets braces and headgear, he's undergoing orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics!

Because Dr. Greenberg is skilled in both areas, he is able to diagnose any misalignments in the teeth and jaw as well as the facial structure, and can devise a treatment plan that integrates both orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic treatments.

We hope that helps! Contact our office and schedule a complimentary consultation for your child. Our practice is located in Altadena, North of Pasadena, providing morning, afternoon and evening appointments, It’s never too late to get a great smile, and we can’t wait to help you get started.

What are happy patients saying about Dr. Vickie Greenberg?

Once in a while, Pasadena orthodontist Dr. Vickie Greenberg and our team get patient testimonials that make us really proud to do the work we do: creating beautiful smiles. Recently, we received testimonials from patient, whose awesome reviews made US smile! Please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our office!

"I had a great experience!! All the staff here are amazing!! They are patient with everyone and make the whole braces experience so much easier and more enjoyable. I really enjoyed getting my braces here nad recommend everyone to come here!!‎" ~ Gitty

"I am very happy and satisfied with my results. It was defently worth the time. I did not think that just with two years and a half my teeth could change so much. I am no longer ashame to smile as big as I can and show my teeth!" ~ Ashley S.

"I cannot believe the amazing transformation of my teeth over the past couple of years! All of the staff here are so nice and caring that I was actually excited to come to my appointments! When I first started coming here, I was a little hesitant because I was only about 13 and was scared of what they would do to my teeth. Then I met Dr. Greenberg and she was so nice to me about it and assured me that everything would be fine. She's always had such a joyful spirit and I trusted her because she knows exactly what she's doing! Due to the excellent service here, my teeth are just as perfect as I wanted them to be. I can't stop smiling!" ~ Christy M.

"Dr Greenberg, you changed my life - I finished my orthodontic treatment in August 2007. I am truly so happy with the results. I would highly recommend Dr Greenberg to everyone. The girls in her office are friendly and nice. I believe I have known them for over 6 or 7 years. My daughter Diana was the first one to get braces and soon after that I started my treatment. I am happy to say that now my daughter Ashley will be starting her treatment in 2008. Thank you, Dr Greenberg and your wonderful staff." ~ Olivia R.

Zoom!® your way to a brighter smile at Dr. Greenberg's office

A whiter smile is one just one visit away! ZOOM!® Smile Whitening brightens and whitens your teeth in just 45 minutes. Once you have gone through the Zoom!® treatment we will send you home with an at home whitening bleaching kit with custom made trays. Using the take home trays will allow you to maintain your desired level of whitening over several months.

While Zoom!® Smile Whitening is a great way to enhance the appearance of your smile, it's not always for everyone. Those with deep, dark stains that remain unaffected by whitening treatments and patients with regular tooth sensitivity may not be good candidates. Zoom! is a professional teeth whitening treatment that gets your teeth an average of eight shades whiter — in just one hour at Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics. The treatment is safe, simple, and relaxing! Plus, Zoom! is championed by dentists, orthodontists and patients as a pain-free process.

Find out more about Zoom!® Smile Whitening at our website; and when you are ready to have a whiter, brighter smile give us a call at our Altadena office for an evaluation with Dr. Greenberg! We also serve Pasadena, Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley.

Enjoy your weekend everyone.

Here comes the Braces Brigade!

Last summer, you may remember, Dr. Vickie Greenberg and staff blogged about the AAO's Braces Brigade. Well, now the blog is up-and-running, and boy do they have stories to tell!

If you'd like to learn more about what to expect during orthodontic treatment, from someone with firsthand experience, the Braces Brigade blog, where past, present, as well as future orthodontic patients from coast to coast document their orthodontic journeys, is a great place to start.

Dr. Greenberg and team encourage 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 at our Altadena office if you have any questions about the Braces Brigade or your own orthodontic treatment with Dr. Greenberg!

Have a great weekend!

What is your New Year's Resolution?

2011 is here—and what a year 2010 was at Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics! Dr. Greenberg and our staff thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you most looking forward to this year? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Also, we’d like to wish a Happy New Year to all our patients, friends, family and all our dental and medical colleagues—see you all soon!