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!

President's Day Fun Facts

Tomorrow marks Presidents’ Day, a day known for celebrating of both George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s combined Birthdays. Presidents’ Day was created in 1971, when President Richard Nixon combined the birthdays of two of our most well-known presidents into one single federal holiday. Presidents' Day also marks a hard-earned day off from work and school for a lot of our patients at Otay Lakes Orthodontics.

Here are a few fun facts about our nation’s presidents:

*Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, carried letters, bills and notes in his tall stovepipe hat.

*George Washington is the first president to be featured on a postage stamp.

*Ronald Reagan, our 40th president, broke the so-called "20-year curse," in which every president elected in a year ending in 0 died in office.

*Abraham Lincoln was the tallest of the U.S. presidents measuring 6’ 4” tall.

*Virginia is the birthplace of more United States presidents than any other state, followed by Ohio and Massachusetts.

*Harry S. Truman was the first president to have his Inauguration and speeches televised.

Maliana gets her braces off!

Maliana, who recently had her braces removed by Dr. Poggio, talks about how happy she is with her new smile and her overall treatment at Otay Lakes Orthodontics. Maliana sings and acts, so we know having her braces off will make it that much more special for her!

We look forward to working with you to make your treatment a relaxing and meaningful experience; call us today to make an appointment with our conveniently-located Chula Vista, CA orthodontic office!

Dr. Poggio & team, supporting National Children's Dental Health Month

At Otay Lakes Orthodontics, February marks National Children's Dental Health Month, as well as National Dental Health Month, and Dr. Valeria Poggio and team thought we’d promote good oral hygiene among our patients with a few tips and tricks, courtesy of the American Dental Association.

• 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 insert it 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 cheese, fruits and vegetables and avoid crunchy, sticky, chewy candies that can stick to the teeth. If you eat these snacks, be sure to brush after doing so.

• Carbonated or sugary drinks: these drinks create acids that can damage the teeth when mixed with saliva, so they should be avoided altogether. If you’re going to drink one of these beverages, don’t sip on it throughout the day. Rather, drink it and then brush your teeth.

• Regular dental visits: in addition to seeing our team at Dr. Poggio's Chula Vista, CA office during your orthodontic treatment, you should visit your dentist for professional check-ups and teeth cleaning appointments about every six months.

National Children's Dental Health Month aims to increase awareness about the importance of our patients' oral health. If you have any questions about keeping your mouth healthy, or about your treatment with Dr. Poggio, please feel free to give us a call or ask us on Facebook!