When Are Two Phases of Treatment Necessary?

Usually patients in treatment at Rey Orthodontics already have their permanent teeth – they are pre-teens, teens and adults. But in some cases our team at Rey Orthodontics have to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. We call this “two-phase treatment.”

When Dr. Maria Rey has patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat.

Examples include:
•An upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly
•A mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in
•A severe malocclusion, or bad bite, which means the jaw doesn’t fit together correctly

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has their baby teeth. Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent teeth are in place. Generally phase two involves standard braces.

In order to catch early problems, we recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontics). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit Rey Orthodontics even sooner.

We hope this helps! Please give us a call if you have any questions or ask Dr. Rey on Facebook!

Ask Dr. Rey: What is TMJ/TMD?

At Rey Orthodontics, we know millions of Americans suffer from chronic facial and neck pain as well as recurrent headaches. In some cases this pain is due to Temporomandibular Disorder, or TMD.

Your temporomandibular joints, or jaw joints, connect your lower jawbone to your skull. As you may imagine, these joints get quite a lot of use throughout the day as you speak, chew, swallow, and yawn. Pain in and around these joints can be unpleasant and may even restrict movement.

Symptoms of TMD are known to include:

* Pain in the jaw area
* Pain, ringing, or stuffiness in the ears
* Frequent headaches or neck aches
* Clicking or popping sound when the jaw moves
* Swelling on the sides of the face
* Muscle spasms in the jaw area
* A change in the alignment of top and bottom teeth
* Locked jaw or limited opening of the mouth

Should you notice any of these symptoms, let us know by calling Rey Orthodontics! At our convenient Washington DC office, we can help advise you as to whether they indicate the presence of TMD, and what sort of treatment is appropriate for you.

At Rey Orthodontics, access to your account any day, any time

Did you know patients at Rey Orthodontics enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

"I like having access to my own appointments and my financial information." ~ Karen G.

"I was able to confirm my appointment online against my Outlook calendar without calling the office." ~ Dale G.

"With my travel schedule - it is easier to access my appointment information from anywhere at any time." ~ Muriel G.

You may sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button at the top of our homepage. Give us a call at our Washington D.C. office if you have any questions about getting started and enjoy the rest of your week.

Connect with the Braces Brigade!

At Rey Orthodontics, we know our patients want to get as much out of their treatment as possible. That includes asking a lot of questions and making sure they take care of both their appliances and oral health.

Would you like to learn more about what to expect during orthodontic treatment, from someone with firsthand experience? Well, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently developed the Braces Brigade blog, where past, present, as well as future orthodontic patients from coast to coast document their (or their child’s) orthodontic journeys. The blog will serve as a source of guidance for others as the patients undergo orthodontic care.

We encourage you to visit the Braces Brigade blog to read these great and informative blogs—who knows, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two! As always, don’t hesitate to give us a call at our Washington D.C. office if you have any questions about the Braces Brigade or your own orthodontic treatment with Dr. Maria Rey!

Happy New Year everyone!