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.