Happy Holidays from the Valeriano Crew!

Wishing our wonderful patients, families and friends a very happy Holiday season. We hope your New Year will be filled with long last memories and beautiful smiles!




We had our annual Christmas lunch at Red Rocks this year- it was delicious and filled with Holiday spirit. Thanks Dr. V!!

Dr. V opening his gift from us...tickets to see Jerry Seinfeld!

CONGRATULATIONS are in order for....

John Demas- who was the proud winner of our Panther Contest. Can you find the 10changes?





Could you find all of the changes? If not, here they are:
1-Panther on helmet is gone
2- #17 is now #89
3-Yard line by left arm is now gone
4- Person walking by left arm is gone
5-Panther on jersey has a red bow
6-Superbowl logo on jersey is gone
7- Stadium light on top right is gone
8-Strips on pants of person next to the right arm are gone
9-Red flag is removed from bench
10-White logo on black collar is gone

Great job to all of our patients who played! Be on the lookout for our next contest!

New faces in braces!

Dr. V is the proud owner of a new set of braces!

Interested in a New Smile? Come see us for our Special Invisalign Day!

So, what are you waiting for? Call us today, 704.364.6544 to reserve your special consultation to discuss your options!

Announcing our Flat Dr. V Winners!!

Flat Dr. V once again had a fabulous summer vacation- thanks to you our great patients...

Here are our winners!

The Funniest- Despina did a great job creating Flat Dr V from memory, so he didn't miss out on a great vacation!
-Despina Giotis

Most Historical- The signing room in Independce Hall (The Declaration of Independence was signed here)
-Katherine Burkart

Longest Distance Traveled- Taj Mahal,India
-Ro Panuganti

Best Animal Photo- Miss Lily
-Cameron Maibodi

Most Adventurous- ATV in Wyoming
-Brittany & Alexandra Halberstadt

Best Celebrity- Richard Petty (they also sent in photos of Richard Childress & Rusty Wallace!)


-Drew & Sara Hebeisen

Coldest Location- Switzerland

-Alex & Mia Kosarek


We also had more fabulous entries- thanks to all of our patients who submitted their photos. Flat Dr. V had an awesome summer vacation! Keep on the look out for more photos!

We are pleased to Announce...

Dr. Valeriano has once again been voted by his peers as one of Charlotte's Top Dentists! Because topDentists™ is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which hundreds of dentists and specialists throughout the Charlotte area cast thousands of "votes" on the abilities of other dentists and specialists and also because listings cannot be purchased, inclusion in topDentists™ is considered a singular honor. Be sure to check the November issue of Charlotte Magazine or www.usatopdentists.com to see Dr. Valeriano listed as one of Charlotte's Top Dentists!

Help Dr. V Intercept Crooked Teeth!

Its time for our new game! In celebration of a new football season, Dr. V has decided to join the Panthers this year to intercept crooked teeth! So, next time you are in the office for your visit- take a moment to try your luck at our new game. You could be the winner of 2 tickets to a Panthers Game!!

Orthodontic Emergency

What is an Orthodontic Emergency?

A blow to the face or jaws causing loose or broken teeth

and soft tissue trauma is a medical emergency and

should be seen immediately in an emergency room or by

their general dentist. Our office is not equipped to handle

these situations and we will only want to make

“repairs” to orthodontic appliances after the true

emergencies are treated.

Fortunately orthodontic emergencies are very rare.

Loose bands, brackets or wires are only an emergency if

they are causing excessive discomfort or swelling which

cannot be relieved with wax or other home cures.

Should you have an orthodontic emergency–

please contact us to schedule an appointment

for us to make you comfortable.

Also you may visit our website:

http://www.valerianoorthodontics.com/

for further information.

Harry Potter....A SUCCESS!

We had a fabulous time with all of our great patients during the premiere of Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince! Here are a few photos from this great event...and be on the look out for more photos soon!

Meet our Winners!

Every May and June there is a special day reserved for celebrating caring Mothers and Fathers. This year we recognized our patients devoted parent by asking our patients to tell us what makes there Mom or Dad so special. The winning mom received a gift certificate to spend a day at the spa and the winning dad received a gift card to Lowe's!

Out of the great entries that were submitted, two were chosen as our winners!

Congratulations Jack and Haley!

Come with us to the movies!

You and a special friend are invited to the premiere of

Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince

hosted by Dr. Valeriano and Team!

When: Friday, July 17th 2009

Where: Regal Cinema's- Phillips Place

Time: 9:30-12:00

Please sign up for this event as soon as possible as space is limited and they are filling up quickly!

To sign up for this fun premiere, you may fill out an invitation that can be found in our office or call us at 704.364.6544

In order for us to reserve a spot for you and your special friend, we will need the following information: The patients name, Email for the reservation confirmation and ticket to be sent to, a primary phone number and the name of the friend that you would like to bring! Please note this film is rated PG-13.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Valeriano Orthodontics Is Greening Their Practice!

There are so many things we do at Valeriano Orthodontics to make sure you are taken care of every step of the way throughout your orthodontic treatment. And you know what else? We take care of the environment too!

We are a chartless/paperless office! This helps us manage our patients progress together, as well as provide them with the best orthodontic care possible.

All of our x-rays are digital in our office, which is less radiation for our patients which is very important, and it is less toxins for the environment too!

We also have an in house lab, that makes a lot of our appliances and a lot of our retainers. This is a great benefit to our patients (and their parents) as they do not have to wait for a long turn around time to receive their appliances, and it saves on fuel too!

So if you are looking for an orthodontist in North Carolina who cares about our patients and cares about the environment too! Then Valeriano Orthodontics is the place for you!

Hope to see you soon.

More Exciting News About Valeriano Orthodontics Patients

At Valeriano Orthodontics, we are so excited about all the advancements in our patients life. So lets congratulate them!

Maren D., raced her mountain Bike at Renaissance Park. Her Season is 6 weeks long and she recently took home First Place!
Great Job Maren!

Artist Alert! Our patient Anne N. is an extremely talented artist. You can see her work at www.anneneilsonfineart.com

Did you know...Only 5 percent of boys who start out in Cub Scouts achieve Eagle
Scout by age 18? We are proud to announce that several of our patients, including Charlie M., Kevin L, and Brian and Clark O. have all become Eagles! Great Job guys!

If you are doing something exciting or new with your life, let Valeriano Orthodontics know! We would love to feature your achievements.

Valeriano Orthodontics' Patients In The News

We have so many outstanding patients at Valeriano Orthodontics who are doing exciting things with their lives. So we want to take a moment and congratulate a few who have shared their experiences with us!

Mary G. and Margaret P. both recently donated their hair to Locks of Love. This generous act will help children suffering with cancer, and let them know that people care.

Nicole L. is broadening her horizons and is part of a student exchange program. She will be traveling to Limoges, France in October.

Stephanie S. is in the ACIS art competition for her school this year.
Good Luck Stephanie!

Molly S. is in a student exchange program and will be traveling to Paris and
Limoges for 2 weeks. Au revoir!

As always, if you are doing something exciting in your life, share it with Valeriano Orthodontics! We would be thrilled to feature you in our Patients in the News!

Valeriano Orthodontics Support The Charlotte Reads Program

At Valeriano Orthodontics, we know that children love to read.

But unfortunately, there are many children and adults out there who don’t know how to read or have never experienced the joy and wonder that comes with getting lost in a good book.

That is why we at Valeriano Orthodontics support the Charlotte Reads program and we are again collecting new
and gently used books...which can be anything from a nursery rhyme to a John Grisham novel!

Upcoming Mother's and Father's Day Contest at Valeriano Orthodontics

Every May and June there is a special day reserved for celebrating our caring Mothers and Fathers. At Valeriano Orthodontics this year, we plan on recognizing our patients devoted parents.

During the next couple months, we want you to write us a paragraph expressing what makes your Mom and Dad so special. Be creative! It can be a poem, a song, a story.

We will post our winners throughout the office, on our web site and in our newsletter.

Plus your Mom or Dad will receive a special prize from Valeriano Orthodontics.

Keep an eye out at your next appointment for the details and get ready to tell us why you have the best parents around!

Invisalign Day at Valeriano Orthodontics

Dr. Greg Valeriano will be providing Invisalign treatment consultations to answer your questions about Invisalign treatment, the clear way to straighten teeth. If you have wondered if Invisalign is right for you, ask our scheduling coordinator to schedule your appointment for this special event.

For eligible* Invisalign Day patients:
Either $400.00 off your Invisalign treatment or
24 month, no interest financing.
Space is limited to the first 20 appointments.

Call today about Invisalign Day patient eligibility.
Gregory F. Valeriano, DDS,PA (704)364.6544

Congratulations to Kate and Andrew for Winning the Second Harvest Food Drive at Valeriano Orthodontics

Awhile back, Valeriano Orthodontics held a Second Harvest Food Drive to raise food for the food bank and help families in need. We had a great turn out and were able to make a difference in our North Carolina community.

Thank you to everyone who participated. The winners for the contest were Kate B. and Andrew M! Here are photos of the winners themselves.

Congratulations to Margaret from Valeriano Orthodontics

Announcing Valeriano Orthodontics' newest VIP Club winner! Margaret S!

Our VIP's are patients who are currently being monitored in our Growth and Development Program. They become our VIP members and are entered into drawings by showing us their VIP cards at their appointments.

So Congratulations are in order to….. Margaret S!

From Valeriano Orthodontics

Guess How Many? David Did at Valeriano Orthodontics

Remember back a couple of months when we had that delicious jar full of treats at the front desk? It was Halloween time and we asked you to guess how many pieces of candy were in the jar? Well someone guessed it right, the winner? David M!

Congrats, David! From Valeriano Orthodontics

1.50 for a Cavity -- Valeriano Orthodontics

Vending machines are a quick way to satisfy hunger. You put in $1.50 and you get back a candy bar, bag of chips or even a soda…but that’s not all! Vending machines not only dispense sweet treats and caffeine bursts, but they also dispense cavities!

Every time you chow down on that chocolate bar the bacteria in your mouth have a party feasting on the sugar. The sugar quickly turns into acid; that’s right, ACID!!! The acid sits on your teeth and eats away at the tooth’s natural enamel (the stuff that protects your tooth from decay). When this enamel is eaten away by the acid on your tooth, you get a cavity! Brushing your teeth after eating a sugary treat can help prevent cavities; but before you indulge remind yourself: “can’t brush? Hold the sugar!”

When choosing a snack, consider these nutritional options that will not only satisfy your hunger and that “sweet tooth”, but won’t cause acid build up resulting in cavities:

--Fresh Fruits (berries, oranges, melon, pears, etc)
--Raw Vegetables (broccoli, celery, carrots, etc)
--Bread
--Pretzels (low salt)
--Milk (low or non-fat)
--Cheese (low or non-fat)
--Nuts and seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc)
--Sliced meat

Hope these tips help from Valeriano Orthodontics

Molasses Cookies from Dr. Valeriano

The wisdom of the ages tells us that necessity is the mother of invention. Brenda Waterman, age thirteen, offers new proof of this proverb. When getting braces mandated cutting a list of foods out of her diet – including her much-loved treat of caramel apples – she devised a work-around recipe that let her indulge her craving. This clever replacement for caramel apples was the inspiration for The Braces Cookbook: Recipes You (And Your Orthodontist) Will Love, which Brenda created along with her mom, Pam Waterman.

Get a sneak peak with the following recipes:

Marvelous Molasses Cookies

They smell wonderful even before baking, they melt in your mouth, and they never harden up. Yum – the best of gingerbread and ginger snaps in one!

* 1 cup shortening
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 1 egg
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 1/2 cup molasses
* 1/2 cup warm water
* 1 tsp baking soda
* 1 tsp cinnamon
* 1/2 tsp ginger
* 2 1/2 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Baking time 11 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine shortening, brown sugar, egg, salt and molasses, using an electric mixer and beating until fluffy. Add cinnamon and ginger. In a small bowl or measuring cup, stir the baking soda into the warm water; add water mixture to the molasses mixture alternately with the flour until well blended.

Drop by tablespoons onto greased cookie sheets. Bake for 11 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes about four dozen. Store in a covered container.

Enjoy from Valeriano Orthodontics

Digital Imaging at Valeriano Orthodontics, More Results with Less Radiation

At Valeriano Orthodontics, we use digital imaging for all of our x-rays. This exposes our patients to much less radiation than previous x-rays used!

We are also able to view the patient's x-rays at any workstation in our office, so that we can manage the patient's progress together. It's a great way to show our parents and patients the x-rays so they can monitor their progress. At Valeriano Orthodontics we care about our patients and want them to be involved in the treatment process so they can watch their smile evolve!

Our Philosophy at Valeriano Orthodontics

At Valeriano Orthodontics, we have a Philosophy we would like to share with you. We believe wholeheartedly in providing our wonderful patients with the best care possible.

• We treat the face first. While traditional orthodontic treatment has focused primarily on “a good bite,” we believe that our primary objective is to create a beautiful smile and enhance facial esthetics to improve the bite.

• A beautiful smile is more than just straight teeth. We always evaluate and treat the smile on a “micro level.” We reshape teeth and change their proportions, evaluate smile lines and recontour gingival with a laser.

• We create beautiful faces for a lifetime. Orthodontic treatment affects how the face looks today and how it will look in the future. Our goal is to do what is best for the “aging face.”

• We can achieve great results in most patients without extraction of permanent teeth or jaw surgery. Extractions are done when it is an enhancement to the facial features. We never remove teeth just to “fix the bite.”

• We use low force and low friction braces with high tech wires to move teeth as quickly and with as little pain as possible.

• Since it is a vital component to great orthodontic treatment, we strive to provide our patients with excellent communication. We believe that our “Patient Manager System” is the best way to continually improve and enhance communication.

• We believe in positive motivation and are always looking for new ways to keep our patients involved.

• We combine the latest technology with excellent clinical skills and expertise.

• We believe in lifetime retention and we will do everything possible to make that an easily achievable goal for our patients.

• We are truly grateful for all of our wonderful patients and parents that have given us the opportunity to serve them. We hope that orthodontic treatment will do more than create beautiful smiles—we believe that we can positively change lives!

Say Cheese! Valeriano Orthodontics

Have you ever wondered why we take so many photos as a part of our orthodontic treatment? Quite simply, it’s all about the face! Traditional orthodontics uses plaster teeth molds and focuses primarily on the teeth and "bite." While a good bite is an important part of treatment for my patients, at Valeriano Orthodontics, my primary objective is to create beautiful faces and smiles. As you probably know, we take digital photographs of the face and teeth as part of every new patient exam and periodically throughout treatment. These photos help me evaluate the teeth and jaw position as it relates to the entire face. I can then use all the tools of modern orthodontics to create the best smile for each patient. Here are some examples:

Expansion versus extraction
--For many years, extraction of permanent teeth was the primary treatment plan for most patients with moderate to severe crowding regardless of their facial shape. While extraction is still a good choice for full and protrusive facial features, it can have an undesirable effect on most patients who exhibit a flatter profile. For these patients, a wider, fuller smile is a more desirable outcome and extracting teeth will not produce the desired effect. With the help of Damon and other low-force, self-litigating braces, we are able to perform treatment with fewer extractions. The changes and enhancement to the face of these patients is nothing short of remarkable.

Gummy Smile and the Soft Tissue Laser
--With photographs, I also evaluate the gingival (gum) tissues and contours and how they relate to your smile. Simple soft tissue procedures can often be accomplished to eliminate a "gummy smile" or uneven gingival tissue. With the addition of a soft tissue laser, we will soon be able to perform some of these procedures in our office. These laser procedures can be done with a simple topical anesthetic and no injections! The soft tissue laser will be a great benefit to our patients and their smiles.

Tooth Positioning in preparation for cosmetic dentistry
--Patients who seek veneers and other "quick-fix" cosmetic dental procedures are sometimes disappointed with their outcomes. Often these patients would have benefited from orthodontic treatment done in conjunction with their cosmetic dentistry. I am fortunate to work with many talented cosmetic dentists who send their patients to Valeriano Orthodontics for an orthodontic evaluation before starting cosmetic procedures. With patient photographs, X-rays, and the internet, I can communicate with my dental partners in an extremely efficient and timely manner.

While my staff and I are not professional photographers, we are experts in using photography and modern orthodontic techniques to create beautiful smiles and faces for our patients.

Remember to Always Smile for the Camera!

Dr. Greg Valeriano

Valeriano Orthodontics Patient Reviews

At Valeriano Orthodontics, we provide superior orthodontic services to meet the individual needs of each of our patients. Just see what our patients are saying!Everyone is so friendly. Dr V. is great and really knows what he is doing. I like seeing the same person every time I go. They understand you and your situation. My manager Leslie is so sweet and takes her time to get to know you. It’s great customer service.
-Carrie B.

What I like best about Dr. V. is that he is soooo nice to kids and he makes a scary braces visit turn into a visit that I enjoy going to.
-Brian G.

Valeriano Orthodontics is high tech, with lots of nice people, and fun all over the place. It is animated, not just a typical orthodontics office. I love it!
-Carol G.

Dr. V. is patient and explains treatment plans clearly. The front office staff is warm and great!!! They have quick and convenient appointment hours, a game room for kids, and a variety of magazines.
-Nwamaka E.

Dr. Valeriano is very informative and straight to the point. He is very gentle and made the braces transition easy.
-Janice M.

Dr. V. is very considerate of my daughters. He treats them with respect and kindness - he's easy for them to talk to. They are comfortable asking him questions. He explains procedures so that they understand without making them feel like they asked a stupid question. He doesn't compare my daughters to each other. They are individuals (one is more sensitive to pain then the other, one never seems to have problems, the other always has something going on. Thanks Dr. V!
-Karen E.

Friendly, technologically advanced office and prompt is what you find at Valeriano Orthodontics. We love them!
-Willow R.

Valeriano Orthodontics Learns New "Tricks of the Trade" at the Damon Forum

To end January and start the New Year off right, my staff and I attended the Annual Damon Forum in Phoenix, Arizona. I was accompanied by our patient managers, Dana and Kim, and our treatment coordinator, Sheena. We were thrilled with the experience and the ability to learn more about the Damon System. With our continued education and passion for orthodontics, we continue to better your smile year after year!

As you may know, Damon braces offer many benefits compared with conventional braces. Their advanced technology creates less tension, which eliminates much of the discomfort associated with conventional braces. This leads to shorter treatment times with fewer appointments and the end result is a quicker, brighter smile.

We are eager to share this information with you and happy to answer any questions you may have. You can ask us at your next visit, or give us a call at anytime at 704-364-6544. We’d love to hear from you!

Get to Know the Valeriano Orthodontics Team

Sheena - Treatment Coordinator
Sheena has been with Valeriano Orthodontics for the past year as the Treatment Coordinator and has over 7 years of Orthodontic experience. She came to Charlotte from Phoenix, Arizona about 2 years ago with her husband. When she isn’t welcoming new patients into the practice, she remains busy playing mom to her 3 year old Yorkie-Pomeranian, Bella and traveling to see her family in Arizona and Kentucky. Sheena’s understanding nature along with her high level of professionalism, allow her to extend great customer service to all of our patients.


Dana - Patient Manager
Dana has been with Dr. Valeriano and our team for 11 years as one of our patient managers. She currently resides in Charlotte with her cat Snowflake. When she isn’t working with patients, she spends much of her time traveling, naming Wilmington, Charleston and any Caribbean Island as her favorite places to visit. Dana’s vast experience combined with her superior orthodontic skills, make her an invaluable asset to our team.


Leslie - Patient Manager/Growth & Development Coordinator
Leslie has been with our team since 2006 but has over 10 years of orthodontic experience. In addition to her role as a Patient Manager, she also monitors our young patients before treatment as our Growth & Development Coordinator. She is a native of Rock Hill, South Carolina but recently relocated to Charlotte with her two cats, Mr. Mollie and Tonya. Leslie has a true outdoorsy side and she enjoys camping, hiking and canoeing. Our patients feel they are coming to visit a friend thanks to Leslie’s infectious smile and genuine personality.


Mary Jo - Scheduling Coordinator
Mary Jo, the sweet voice you hear when calling our office, has been with Valeriano Orthodontics since 2001 and has over 30 years of orthodontic experience. She currently resides in Lancaster, South Carolina with her two boxers, Rocky and Alex. She is the proud mother of 3 daughters and loves to be “Mimi Jo” to her grandchildren. We know that you will recognize her the next time you come to our office, as she is the smiling face with that great southern charm, ready to welcome you into our orthodontic family.


Tracey - Patient Manager
Tracey is one of our newest team members and we are thrilled to have her. She is a Charlotte native and a graduate of Charlotte Catholic High School. After working several years in the Insurance industry, she has since completed the Dental Assisting program with CPCC and is now energetically learning the world of orthodontics. When not at the office she loves to travel, play with her dog- a Springer-Spaniel named Maggie and enjoys supporting The Panthers! With Tracey’s enthusiasm and caring nature, she makes a great patient manager who is eager to coach her patients through treatment.


Jennie - Patient Manager
Jennie has been with Valeriano Orthodontics since 2004 and has over 11 years of Orthodontic experience. She is a proud wife and a mother to her two children. They have 2 cats, Rascal and Gabby, and also 3 dogs, Stumpy, Maggie and Patches- it’s no wonder she stays busy! When Jennie isn’t at the office, she can usually be found at the ball field or on the road to the beach to visit family. With Jennie’s genuine and supportive qualities, she is a significant part of our team.


Kim - Patient Manager
With over 15 years of experience in orthodontics and 3 years with our team, Kim has all the skills of a terrific patient manager. She is a wife and a proud parent to her teenage daughter and little Chihuahua, Bailey. Kim is a rabid hockey fan and can usually be spotted banging on the glass at the hockey rink cheering for the Checkers. With Kim’s passion for orthodontics and love of her patients, she quickly becomes a part of their family.


Janie - Financial Coordinator
Janie is our Financial Coordinator and has been part of the Valeriano Orthodontic Team for 10 years. She is a North Carolina native and has lived most of her life in Charlotte. When she is not busy raising her 3 active children, Janie is our office “Dare Devil.” Scuba Diving, Para-sailing, Mountain Climbing- she will do anything that is dangerous! Janie “wears several different hats” for our team and excels in all areas. Whether it is navigating through the difficult Insurance world or facilitating flexible financial arrangements, our patients find Janie to be an indispensable member of our team.


Kelly - Patient Manager
Kelly joined the Valeriano Team in 2004 as one of our patient managers and has over 10 years of orthodontic experience. She is a Washington native who moved to the Charlotte area in 2004. She is a wife and a proud mother to her rambunctious 2 year old son. When she isn’t busy being a mom, she can be found spending time outdoors, whether it be biking, hiking or even canoeing! Kelly’s terrific clinical skills combined with a soft and caring personality make her a star on our team.