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!