Dr. Annya Marie Vela-Soto, DDS, MS

Dr. Annya Marie Vela-Soto, DDS, MS

Orthodontics and Maxillofacial Growth and Development. Expert in Management of Aesthetic and Functional Braces, Brackets, and Removable Aligners (Invisalign) for Children and Adults.

Clinic: DENTAL DESIGN, PERI-DENTAL, ALINEA
Dental Design: Diagonal 6 zone 10, Tower II #1004
Peridental: Peri-Roosevelt Commercial Center zone 7, #401
Alinea: Integra Medical Center, Tower 1 #308

Design Center Building | Diagonal Six 12-42 | Tower 2, Office #1004 | Zone 10 | Guatemala City

The Design Center towers are across the street from the Oakland Mall, at 13th Street.

Waze link to the office:
APPOINTMENTS IN ENGLISH:

Email: [email protected]

Whatsapp: +502 5470 4001

Clinic Phone : Receptionist in Spanish: (502) 5055-5555 & 2215-2300

Email: [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00am to 6:00pm. Saturday 8:00am to noon.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Dr. Annya Vela has been specialized in orthodontics – oral & dental alignment – in Guatemala City since 2012. She is an expert in all aspects of straightening teeth with aesthetic braces, Invisalign brand materials, and high-tech, globally successful orthodontic methods to reach your perfect result: a perfectly formed smile, balanced and beautiful.

As a university instructor and certified expert in Invisalign, Doctora Vela teaches young dentists about the most sophisticated techniques in orthodontic technology in the world. She has integrated that data and developed a personal protocol that allows for faster and more effective placement of aligners, which is part of her training curriculum.

Conventional orthodontics in children and adolescents use ceramic or metal braces (called brackets in England), plus retainers to guide growing teeth to develop fully formed into the proper position. Dr. Vela has extensive experience with dental, orthodontic, and maxillofacial management for the long-term, achieving desired results in less time and with better accuracy than most other dentists in the field, guaranteed.

Adults who are suffering with crooked or crowded teeth, an uneven bite, or spaces between teeth are concerned with aesthetic orthodontics. They want to know that their teeth and jaw will be in perfect alignment, healthy, and functioning correctly so that chewing, eating, and talking happen smoothly without discomfort. Ask Dr. Vela about your concerns and expectations for removable aligners like Invisalign, or conventional braces. Perhaps a night guard can protect against bruxism or grinding your teeth at night. Using up-to-the-minute diagnostics, you and your orthodontist can discuss a treatment plan together that works for both your time and budget. Without good tooth position and bite, it is impossible for the chewing system to function as designed. That is why one of the pillars of oral health is orthodontics, and without a comprehensive diagnosis, nothing done in the mouth will have a successful long-term prognosis.

Dr. Vela says, “I chose to be an orthodontist because I am convinced that poor chewing function is the root cause of dental problems. I find a purpose in my work when I know that I am truly HEALING, while improving the patient’s aesthetics. Aesthetics without function is a “bandaid” type treatment, which will fail in a short time. With me, you can be sure that we will get to the root cause and make authentic healing of dental problems.”

Extra-oral imaging, like panoramic or cephalometric x-rays and 3-D digital scans help the doctor to visualize the position of the teeth within the bony structures, making it easier to identify impacted teeth or malocclusion in the overall lower facial development. A “ceph” x-ray is taken from the side and includes your entire oral structure, including the nasal and sinus passageways. A panoramic x-ray shows a two-dimensional view of the entire jaw and its supporting structures in one single image.

Dr. Vela talks about “3-D Digital Flow and Orthodontics with Artificial Intelligence” in her clinical practice. The National Center for Biotechnology Information at the NIH in Washington, DC describes Dr. Vela’s system of orthodontic digital workflow as:

  • “The digital technology to improve and simplify diagnosis, treatment planning, and execution in orthodontics… Specialty performance using available resources and clinical applications of CAD/CAM in orthodontics highlighting installation of fixed appliance, clear aligners and customized retainers fabricated in the digital environment. … It directly reduces treatment time and increases predictability.
  • And: “Even with all the benefits arising from the digital workflow, few orthodontists [in the United States] have adopted this technique in their clinical practice, most due to high cost and lack of technical preparation for proper execution.”

There are many clinics world-wide where a patient is told that their only choice of treatment is orthognathic surgery, or that the case is too complicated to be resolved with removable aligners. That’s because other orthodontists don’t have enough experience handling complex cases. Dr. Annya Vela and her team have been able to successfully resolve these malformations using the combination of mini screws with Invisalign or brackets.

The doctor says, “The management of innovative systems allows us to solve the most complex cases without surgery and correct not only the aesthetics but also the function. Such is the case of Brenda Perez, who had gone to several dental offices and all of them told her that only surgery could resolve her case. I solved it without surgery and in less than two years by using extra-alveolar mini-screw mechanics to move bones and teeth.”

“The mouth is more than a pretty smile for the photo. It is an entire system that is the gateway to nutrition and therefore to health in general. Hole filling procedures are only temporary relief, but good dental treatment should be comprehensive. That is why correcting your oral function should be the main pillar of every dental procedure. This is achieved by straightening and correcting the position of the teeth. I will be your best ally in achieving aesthetics and healing, in a single treatment, in a natural way and without side effects.”

Clearly, Dr. Annya Vela is dedicated to excellence in all aspects of oral and dental care. She depends on a highly skilled team of various dental specialists to perform integrative dentistry, working together with her orthodontic skills to ensure proper function and aesthetics. That is the key to choosing your next dental provider: Look for cooperating specialists who actively discuss your dental care solutions from a variety of viewpoints.

She says, “I am always available for emergency cases via phone and chat. Patients can count on me as an ally and a friend.”

PROFESSIONAL & ACADEMIC

World Federation of Orthodontists
American Association of Orthodontists
Active International Member.
Invisalign ® Brand Clear Aligners
Certified “Top Doctor”.
Universidad Intercontinental, Mexico City
Full Professor, Master’s Program in Orthodontics & Maxillofacial.
Guatemalan Association of Orthodontists & College of Specialists
Active Member and Instructor.

ARTICLES AND VIDEOS

REVIEWS FROM PATIENTS

Dr. Annya Vela did my braces, and she was amazing – well worth the trip to the City. Two of my adult friends chose to get braces with her after seeing my results. I’m so grateful to have my beautiful and perfectly balanced smile back.

Izy Berry de Ovalle, Aug. 2024

Before talking to Dr. Vela, I had the idea that it was not necessary for me to have orthodontic treatment because I thought it only serves to straighten. However, she explained to me the different types of bites that exist and the benefits that a treatment would have for me, both for the change in my bite and in my facial profile.

She was very detailed when explaining the entire process, from the estimated duration (between 18 and 24 months), the different types of braces that exist that could work according to my budget and the specific that would give best results in my case.

My treatment lasted the expected 24 months, just like I was told in the beginning. The truth is that I am enormously grateful to her because after being reluctant to start the process, now that I see the fantastic results. I would have liked to be able to start sooner because my smile and my facial profile have changed, so I like the person who smiles back at me in the mirror much more.

I recommend that anyone who is interested in starting orthodontic treatment should consult Dr. Vela, because you will not regret it. I hope my experience has been useful, any questions are welcome.

Claudia Porras, Guatemala

I had one crooked upper tooth bothering me for a long time and Dr. Contreras told me the healthiest way to correct it was to push it back in place with braces. As we age, teeth tend to slide forward, so I knew it would get worse if I didn’t make the move soon, and during the pandemic with everyone wearing a medical mask was a perfect opportunity.

Dra. Vela carefully explained to me about the methods, costs, and milestones to expect. Then, I went to the clinic for all the periodic adjustments, and everything worked out perfectly. I still use a retainer at night to maintain straight teeth and have my regular check-ups at Dental Design. Dra. Vela was always kind and patient, working quickly and accurately to give me the least amount of discomfort.

Lori Shea, Editor of GT Medical Directory

I want to thank you for being a great orthodontist for my children during the entire time the orthodontic process lasted. I am very satisfied with the work, and both of their teeth turned out very nice, they look beautiful.

Lucia de Muñoz, Guatemala

You don’t know how super grateful I am to you for everything, I love my teeth now and I am very happy with them.

Vivian Monterroso

Special Introductory Offer

Invisalign Brand Clear Alignment Braces. Full treatment Plan
15% discount
Prices vary depending on the patient’s treatment plan.

Payment by Credit card, electronic transfer, or cash.
Call today for your first consultation: +502 5470 4001