Leslie's Before & After

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

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!

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!

What puts you at ease at Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics?

Dr. Vickie Greenberg and our staff completely understand that not everyone is always thrilled about visiting their orthodontist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff or Dr. Greenberg herself?

Let us know because we just love getting patient reviews!

Have a safe and happy New Year, to all our patients, friends, family and all our dental and medical colleagues in Altadena, Pasadena and surrounding communities – see you all in 2011!

Season's greetings from Dr. Greenberg and team!

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as Dr. Greenberg and our 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 2011? 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!

The trouble with soda pop, from Dr. Greenberg

At Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics, we know that when you sit down to dinner or grab a sandwich for lunch, you wouldn’t have a side of nine teaspoons of sugar. But that’s exactly what you’re taking in when you pair a meal with a 12-ounce can of soda pop.

Soft drinks are a poor choice for your overall health, since they have no nutritional value, and they contain sugar and caffeine. And when it comes to your teeth, soft drinks can cause big trouble. The steep servings of sugar create the perfect condition for cavities to form, while the phosphoric and citric acids in soda pop can erode and weaken your enamel – the outer coating on your teeth – making it tougher for your teeth to withstand the onslaught of sugar.

Both the Canadian and American Dental Associations recommend limiting your intake of soft drinks. And if you do occasionally indulge in a fizzy beverage, it’s a good idea to drink it with a straw, to reduce exposure to your teeth. Brushing your teeth afterward, or at least swishing with water, can help remove the sugar from your teeth.

Having trouble cutting back? Try these tricks to help wean yourself from a steady diet of soft drinks:

--Don’t quit cold turkey: Start by swapping one soda each day with an alternate drink, preferably water. Gradually increase your swaps until you’re down to one soft drink a day, then one every two days, then one a week, and so on.

--Switch to tea: If you’re looking for a source of caffeine, tea is much healthier than soda pop. Just remember not to add nine teaspoons of sugar to it.

--Switch to seltzer: If it’s the fizz or the flavor you’re after, try a sugar-free flavored water or seltzer.

--Remember your goals: If you’re wavering in your commitment to cut back on soda pop, remember the health problems it can cause.

--Be patient: Adjusting a habit doesn’t happen overnight. Give yourself a reasonable amount of time to change your diet.

Write a review of Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics!

Has your experience at Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics been GREAT?

Would you like to let others know?

Then we invite you to write a review on our Google Places Page! Do you already have a Google account? Great! Just click write a review to leave your message for Dr. Greenberg and our team.

Don’t have an account? Sign up for one–it’s easy and takes only a minute or two!

Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience! We really appreciate it!

Talking retainers with Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics

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!

Dr. Greenberg & Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics, honoring our veterans

Happy Veteran's 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.

In celebration of Veteran’s Day, Dr. Greenberg and our entire team at Pasadena's Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics would like to share a few fun facts about our flag, our national holiday, and our country’s history!

-Veteran's Day, a day that was originally called Armistice Day, is a time to thank and honor the men and women who have served in our military.

- President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the official legislation for Veteran's Day on June 1, 1954, changing the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veteran's Day

-There are 23.2 million veterans in the U.S.

-The flag was first approved by Congress on June 14, 1777

-Each of the flag’s colors signify different American values - red is for valor and zeal, white is for hope, purity, and cleanliness of life, and blue is for heaven, loyalty, sincerity, justice, and truth

-Research by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) helped develop the CAT Scan, the cardiac pacemaker, and the “Seattle Foot” to give those hurt the ability to run and jump

-When the flag is displayed next to another flag against a wall, the U.S. flag should be on its own right (on the left side when facing the wall).

-Veteran's Day is often confused with Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a time for remembering and honoring the men and women who died while serving our country, or as a result of injuries that incurred in battle. Veteran's Day honors and gives thanks to all veterans who served in our military.

-There are five states with over 1 million veterans in their population – California, Florida, Texas, New York and Pennsylvania.

Thanks again to our veterans! We are so thankful for all who have and are currently serving in the U.S. and abroad.

Ask Dr. Greenberg: Why visit the dentist during my orthodontic treatment?

Dr. Vickie Greenberg wants to know: Are you brushing your teeth twice a day during your orthodontic treatment? If the answer happens to be yes, that’s what we want to hear! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every six months, in addition to brushing your teeth a couple times a day (and, of, course, seeing Dr. Greenberg during your treatment). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health while you're in braces!

A 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 doctor 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 any questions, feel free to give us a call, ask Dr. Greenberg during your next visit or ask us on Facebook! We'd be happy to recommend a dentist in Pasadena, Altadena and the greater San Gabriel Valley!

Ask Dr. Greenberg: Am I too old for braces?

Absolutely not. At the orthodontic office of Dr. Vickie Greenberg, no one is "too old" for braces. Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. In fact, one out of every five patients in orthodontic treatment is over 21 and - not only that - but our staff recently read a statistic that the number of adults getting orthodontic treatment has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996!

Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: people want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—wisely, we might add—to invest in orthodontics.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Greenberg would love to have you visit for a consultation at our convenient Altadena office. Please give us a call at (626) 768-7766 to set one up!

October is National Orthodontic Health Month!

For those of our patients who don't know, October is National Orthodontic Health Month. This month-long event is organized by our pals at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

Dr. Vickie Greenberg and our staff realize this is a great opportunity for us and to raise awareness about the importance of oral hygiene. National Orthodontic Health Month also aims to recognize the dedicated work of orthodontists like Dr. Greenberg and other dental professional in Pasadena.

The AAO recommends patients avoid the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients:

• Caramel
• Nuts
• Popcorn (including un-popped kernels)
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Licorice
• Bubblegum
• Taco chips
• Ice

If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call, ask us on Facebook or ask Dr. Greenberg during your visit this month!