Patient testimonial: Isabella G.

We love Isabella! Watch as she talks about her expander and even gives some sage advice to our patients at Otay Lakes Orthodontics!

Get to know your braces! From Dr. Poggio

We hope you're having a great weekend! Should you need to call Otay Lakes Orthodontics 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! Let Dr. Poggio know if you have any questions during your next visit or on Facebook!

Who benefits from wearing braces?

Ask, and Dr. Valeria Poggio will tell you braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment at Otay Lakes Orthodontics, whether it’s 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 recommend 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 at Dr. Poggio's Chula Vista, CA office. Set up an appointment for a free consultation with Dr. Poggio and find out how orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!

Patient testimonial: Ernesto

Ernesto, who is one of our many adult patients at Otay Lakes Orthodontics, shares his experience at Dr. Poggio's Chula Vista, CA office. These days, Ernesto smiles more and feels more confident and can't wait to get his braces off! Your smile is going to be great, Ernesto!