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