Emergency care with Dr. Poggio & Otay Lakes Orthodontics

At Otay Lakes Orthodontics, we know true orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call our Chula Vista orthodontic office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can't take care of yourself. We'll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem.

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you schedule an appointment with Dr. Poggio or our team. When working with your appliances, you need to know the names of the parts of your appliances so you are able to identify what part is broken or out of place. After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions in your treatment plan. Click here for instructions or give us a call to learn more! We hope you're off to a great Halloween season!

"Dentists, Orthodontists ... What's the Difference?"

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Poggio started out in dental school and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Poggio decided she wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So she stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics, which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert here at Otay Lakes Orthodontics to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

In love with your smile? Tell Dr. Poggio & team about it!

Serving the Eastlake area of Chula Vista, orthodontist Dr. Valeria Poggio and our team are dedicated to excellence in child and adult orthodontics. Our goal is to provide our patients and their families with personalized care, exceptional service, and amazing results.

Whether you have visited our office for a week or for years, we'd love to hear your feedback about Dr. Poggio and Otay Lakes Orthodontics! Now with the Internet, it’s even easier to write your thoughts and share them with the world. We'd want to encourage you to write a review of us on our Google page. It only takes a moment!

You may share your story here.

Thank you and have a great rest of the week!

Back to school with Dr. Poggio

Now that many of the schools are back in session, Dr. Poggio would like to remind all of our patients about the importance of scheduling appointments in advance. With school, clubs, sports and family duties to consider, we know that it can be challenging to find time to visit Otay Lakes Orthodontics this fall. In order to accommodate all of our patients’ busy schedules, it is important that you plan ahead for your appointments so that we are able to provide you with an appointment time that is convenient for you.

As always, please remember to give us advanced notice if you’re unable to make your regularly-scheduled appointment. If we receive enough notice, we might be able to schedule another patient for that time. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your fall appointment.

We’ll see you soon and hope summer is winding down nicely for all our patients!

Dr. Poggio patient testimonial: Isabella

Isabella, who got her braces just 6 weeks ago, talks about her experience with orthodontic treatment at Dr. Poggio's office. She's already getting compliments about her smile and is already seeing improvement! We think that's great, Isabella, and can't wait to see your beautiful smile!

Smile Week at Otay Lakes Orthodontics

It’s National Smile Week, and a GREAT time to remind our patients at Otay Lakes Orthodontics to practice good oral hygiene to keep those teeth shining during your orthodontic treatment!

Here are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Week for many, many years to come:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth and braces.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during your orthodontic treatment
* Visit your dentist regularly (every 6 months or as recommended by your dentist)!

And remember to smile at people you come across throughout the week, whether you know them or not. Smiles are contagious, and are a good thing to give and to get. We hope you’re all having a relaxing summer!

- Dr. Poggio and team

Happy patients at Otay Lakes Orthodontics

Dr. Poggio and our team at Otay Lakes Orthodontics love showing our work and creating beautiful smiles! Lately, we've been posting a lot of patient testimonials to our YouTube page, and encourage you to check out some of the clips!

Please feel free to visit us at our family-friendly Chula Vista orthodontic office for a complimentary evaluation in order to determine the most appropriate orthodontic treatment for you or your children. We look forward to working with you to make your treatment a relaxing and meaningful experience; call today to make an appointment with our conveniently located Chula Vista

The importance of visiting your dentist during orthodontic treatment

Dr. Poggio wants to know: Are you brushing and flossing daily properly during your orthodontic treatment? If your answer is yes, that’s wonderful! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing (and visiting our office, of course).

Summer is a great time for a checkup, which can help you maintain good oral health, especially during your orthodontic treatment at Otay Lakes Orthodontics. Your general 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 dentist 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 not visited the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit with Dr. Poggio and we will provide a few great references in Chula Vista or nearby communities!

Dr. Poggio and team proudly offer complimentary consultations!

Serving the Eastlake area of Chula Vista, Dr. Valeria Poggio and our team at Otay Lakes Orthodontics are dedicated to excellence in child and adult orthodontics. Our goal is to provide our patients and their families with personalized care, exceptional service, and amazing results.

One of our commitments is meeting with you to help you explore all or the options available to you or your child. We offer complimentary consultations for those interested in orthodontic treatment. During this time, you'll have time reserved with Dr. Poggio, who will assess your particular needs as well as discuss treatment options available and answer any questions you may have. We place a high value on making sure you have complete information before beginning treatment.

Please feel free to visit us at our family-friendly Chula Vista office for a complimentary evaluation in order to determine the most appropriate orthodontic treatment for you or your child. We look forward to working with you to make your treatment a relaxing and meaningful experience; call us to schedule an appointment soon! We hope you're having a relaxing summer.

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!

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!

More than a day off from school, from Dr. Poggio

Tomorrow, the nation will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was a thinker, leader and civil rights champion. In the 1950s and ’60s, King recognized the need to bring about social justice, and worked tirelessly to instill tolerance in our nation, strengthen America’s communities and move the nation forward. This weekend, tens of thousands of people of all ages and races in Chula Vista, greater San Diego and across California spent their time building, giving and renovating our communities to help celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend. Do you have the day off on Monday? If so, what do you plan to do to help your local community?

We’d love to know about your activities and events this MLK Jr. Day. If you have any video or pictures you’d like to share, please pass them along! If you’re not sure how, give us a call!

Dr. Poggio and our entire team at Otay Lakes Orthodontics are proud of all our patients, families and colleagues who continue to make a difference in our community!

Getting social with Otay Lakes Orthodontics

At Otay Lakes Orthodontics, we embrace technology, whether it’s through the innovative treatments we offer, our high-tech office in Chula Vista or our Facebook fan page. As you can probably tell, we love connecting with our patients online, whether it’s by sharing news on our blog or communicating ideas on our fan page. For social media to work, we understand that conversation is vital, and that’s why we invite you to join in and tell us what’s on your mind. Although social networks are hugely popular these days, we know they’re unpredictable and ever-changing.

While Dr. Val Poggio and our staff take a little time to research how to best use social media, we thought we’d ask you, our loyal patients: How would you like us to use our social networks? What would you like us to share on our blog? Please post your thoughts or give us a call!

What is your New Year's Resolution?

2011 is here—and what a year 2010 was at Otay Lakes Orthodontics! Today, we 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?

We would love to see what you come up with, share with us by commenting on this post or on our Facebook page. Whatever your New Year’s Resolution, we wish you the very best for 2011!

What helps you or your child relax at Otay Lakes Orthodontics?

Dr. Val Poggio and team understand not everyone is thrilled about visiting their orthodontist. But here at Otay Lakes Orthodontics, we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each of your visits. Today, we’d like to know: What is it about our office that makes you comfortable or puts you or your child at ease? Is it something about our pleasant environment? Our courteous staff? Dr. Poggio herself?

Let us know by posting on Facebook or by giving us a call! Have a safe and happy New Year, to all our patients, friends, family and all our dental and medical colleagues in Chula Vista, Eastlake and the greater San Diego area!

See you all in 2011!

Christine discusses her children's orthodontic treatment at Dr. Poggio's office

Watch as Christine, whose two sons have undergone orthodontic treatment with Dr. Poggio, explains why she chose to bring her two boys to our office. At Chula Vista's Otay Lakes Orthodontics, our goal is to provide our patients and their families with personalized care, exceptional service, and amazing results. Thanks for sharing, Christine!

Please feel free to visit us at our family-friendly Chula Vista orthodontic office for a complimentary evaluation in order to determine the most appropriate orthodontic treatment for you or your children. We look forward to working with you to make your treatment a relaxing and meaningful experience; call us today to schedule an appointment!

Season's greetings from Otay Lakes Orthodontics

The holidays are here, and as Dr. Poggio 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? 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 on our Facebook page. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

Happy Holidays from Dr. Poggio and all of us at Otay Lakes Orthodontics!

Featured patient review for Dr. Poggio & Otay Lakes Orthodontics!

Last week, you may remember, we shared patient reviews with you before, but this one—a personal note from a mother of one of our patients—made us proud. Here's what Christine had to say about her experience with Dr. Poggio and Otay Lakes Orthodontics:

My boys and I have had the pleasure of getting to know Dr. Poggio and her staff. Dr. Poggio has used her knowledge, skill and attention to detail to create an absolutely beautiful smile for my older son. As a Mom I only wanted the best care for my children.

Finding the right Doctor to make their teeth look great was not easy. However, after the evaluation visit and all the time Dr. Poggio spent with us I knew she was the perfect person to care for my boys. It was not just her explanation and obvious knowledge of how to do the job but also her friendly, caring demeanor that made me confident in choosing Dr. Poggio as their Orthodontist. Right from the start Dr. Poggio and her staff have been professional, helpful and friendly. We always feel welcome when we arrive and Dr. Poggio is great at keeping me up to date on how things are going with their care.

When it came time for my youngest son to get braces I didn't have to think twice about whose care I would entrust him to. Dr. Poggio and her staff are truly a great team of people and I am delighted with the beautiful smiles my boys have.

Christine

Serving the Eastlake area of Chula Vista CA, Dr. Poggio and our team are dedicated to excellence in child and adult orthodontics. We look forward to working with you to make your treatment a relaxing and meaningful experience; call today to make an appointment with our conveniently-located Chula Vista office!