Back to school is a psychological, mental and sometimes FINANCIAL new beginning.  Many times orthodontic treatment has been recommended , but delayed due to financial reasons.  We can provide some real flexibility with initial down payments, monthly payments, insurance copays, and health flex accounts.  There is never interest charged and retainers, retainer checks and other perks thrown in . Call us for a complementary exam!

With job market rebound of late, investment in ourselves for confidence, apperance and marketability from an employment competition standpoint is skyrocketing.  Nothing shows your " winning spirit " better than a beautiful bold smile.  Now is the time to get on the team!

Holidays and new braces!  Why is it possibly the best time to start orthodontic treatment?  Its the best time for a number of reasons. Starting around Halloween there are a number of days off from school including fall breaks, teacher retreats, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Hannukah and Christmas as well. This is not the complete list however, these days allow a new patient to experience the braces or appliance being applied for the first time and also have a day off from school to get used to them with the rest of the family. This is significant.  In addition the end of the football, field hockey and soccer seasons are also a benefit to the new orthodontic patient at this time of year. These sports are " mouth guard intensive".  They must be worn to be allowed to play. Biting incorrectly or shoving the mouth guard in without care can lead to broken braces.  This can be a little discouraging.  Now is a great time for that complimentary new patient visit.

Summer in Frederick is hot weather, Keys Baseball and new braces. Yes, summer is the time when many families and patients begin the time honored process of Orthodontic treatment. Clear Braces, bright new colors and almost totally invisible retainers are as hot as the sun this summer. Monthly payment plan with low initial down payments and no-interest on monthly payments, insurance participation discounts, and flex-spending help to get things started. Make your complimentary First visit today by calling 301-694-7100 for that Grand Slam Smile!!

National Football League Players Association - Former Players Club

Redskins Legends Meet & Greet
American Taproom
Arilngton, VA - June 2012

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMRj71RXbEk&feature=player_embedded

I have been personally involved with the National Football League players association since my playing days in 1981. This organization has evolved from a predominately players union rights advocacy group to what is new a powerful volunteer community social projects effort. The specific group is called the Former Players Committee and is headed by Cal Snowden. Former Redskins great Brigg Owens has been a force in establishing government and community partnerships with the DC Chapter. Projects include housing for wounded war veterans, high school essay scholarships and concussions/depression evaluations for retired players. Many other initiatives are evolving. See my recent tweet for video of our "Redskins Legends Meet and Greet" at the American Tap Room, Arlington VA, June 18th, featuring former greats Ron McDole, Clearance Vaughn, Virgil Seay, Larry Brown, Pat Fisher and many others.

The Frederick Keys are looking forward to an exciting and successful 2012 Campaign. Opening day was Friday, April6,at Grove Stadium-a breezy cool evening start. All sponsors were invited to another wonderful Matress Warehouse Club (mezzanine)buffet before game time where many new and renewed friendships took place.Frederick is a great town for a minor league team and stadium. The big hits this year are Ravens QB Joe Flacco's, brother, Mike Flacco, at first base and a new concession offering of a 3lb pretzel to be shared. Anew triple decker ham,swiss, tomato, lettuce and pickle sandwich is also in the offering, as well as a great new line up of fireworks nights. I will throw out the opening pitch as usual in late August. I want to see all those "grand slam smiles" at Grove Stadium this year, my 13th year as a sponsor!

New Smiles

When we complete an orthodontic case in my office, we allow our patients to show off their beautiful results. We video the patient stating their name and school, and then we zoom in on their new smile. The patient with the new smile loves it, and their friends and even family from out-of-state can see immediately the finished product. Visit our gallery by going to www.dr-pierce.com and click on link to UTube!

Economic improvement has allowed a noticeable upturn in the number of new patients starting treatment since July. Many, many adults and young people are seeing firsthand the magic that Orthodontics promotes in an attractive smile and healthy bite. Ceramic, and true invisible or lingual braces can help erase that stigma that many older patients feel subconsciously, It is often these thoughts of the braces "showing" or "hurting" that undermine a lifetime connection. Let us show you all the improvements and options that will change your opinion of braces forever.

Happy Holidays to all our patients new and old from our team at Dr Pierces office!

Our Annual Keys Game Night UpDate

On Friday night Aug 26 , I threw out the opening pitch in front of a fully packed Grove Stadium. The excitement was intense, and the keys went on to tie the game in regulation. In the end , it was a loss in inning 11. Family and friends enjoyed the game, good food and excellent fireworks at the close. I have some great photos and video with Miss Maryland, Miss Teenage Maryland, and our entire group on Facebook,website and tweet. Don't forget to join us next year!

Keys Baseball Even

It's that time of year again for our staff, family and friends to enjoy a night out at Grove Stadium-Frederick Keys baseball and Fireworks! As a billboard sponsor for over 12 years with the Keys, my staff and I take a lot of pride in our support and affiliation with this team and town. It is a good partnership as you will find in any small-medium city in America. Friendly, family-focused and quality minor league play all combine with imaginitive promotions for a great in expensive evening of fun. Come join us again, on Friday night August 26th behind the backstop on the first base side. Get on film for our website, and yell at Dr Pierce when he throws out the opening pitch!

Summer Orthodontics

Summer is traditionally the time of year for many new orthodontic patients to experience for the first time an appliance, retainer, or fixed braces. Often the summer visit to the general dentist results in the referral to the orthodontic specialist for a look at what's happening to the smile or bite. It's not a bad thing for kids (or adults) to get used to the feeling and maintenance of braces in the summer before school starts or when work vacations are frequent. No doubt the decision of when to start usually has a lot to do with flexible schedules and free time --and that is why we are so busy from July 4th 'til Thanksgiving. The younger patients (Phase I) who have removable bite plates or growth appliances can learn the responsibilities involved with new appliance care during summer. We are motivational experts at working with you and/or your child's ability to achieve your greatest results. Come and see us this summer!!!

Frederick Keys Opening Day and Lingual Braces

Opening night this year, April 12th, with the Frederick Keys was rainy and dreary weather-wise, but was an exciting social and culinary get-together with all the major supporters and advertisers. The club skybox was the site of an incredible buffet spread (see YouTube link on homepage) with everything from steamship round roast beef and sushi, to great drinks and dessert. The stadium lights came on early, and the grounds crew removed the infield tarp. The Keys lost a close game, but things bode well for 2011!
The only truly invisible braces that allow full control of each tooth are applied on the tongue side of the teeth, and are called "lingual braces." Many patients are trying the new "tray aligners" to straighten teeth without traditional fixed braces, but are often disappointed at the case finish. Check out an unusual video of the step-by-step process of bonding lingual braces! Simply click the YouTube link on our homepage!

Early Treatment is Sometimes Necessary

Seven years of age is an important structural and statural landmark in a child's life when it comes to correcting bones and teeth. Often, an overbite or underbite is due to jaw bones, not teeth, growing in disharmony. The correction of the bones must begin very early while the bones are changing rapidly. Bones can be stimulated to grow more, expanded with a palate spreader, or impeded with different treatment modalities. This is why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends seven (7) years old for the first visit to the orthodontist for every child in the U.S. whether referred by the general dentist or not. Early intervention (called Phase I) can sometimes be the difference between extracting adult teeth and jaw surgery or not. Many families are moving off the sidelines and getting into the ballgame with the strengthening economy.

Get started today!!!

This is a busy time of year for new orthodontic treatment. The new calendar year brings many new dental plans with orthodontic benefits for the first time. Flex spending plans begin again for the year allowing new patient records and down payments to finally be covered for case starts. With these financial incentives and a flexible, no-interest monthly payment plan getting started is so much easier than it has ever been before. Let my treatment coordinator and I work out something special for you to make that dream begin today--that magical smile and healthy bite that you maybe have been putting off. Call us today!

TMJ Symptoms

TMJ symptoms can vary from jaw pain, neck pain, headaches, clicking& popping, grating sounds or locking of the jaw. Fall and Spring can be the worst time of the year because changes of temperature to somewhat cold can cause the water to contract in muscles. The contraction can cause the muscles in the neck, jaw, and even inside the mouth to ache and become stiff. Most people are prepared for cold temperatures in the middle of winter, and cover the jaws and head appropriately. Fall sometimes can catch you off-guard when the jaw and face muscles are exposed to cold, wind, etc. Plus your body tends to accommodate itself to cold temperatures as the winter progresses.

TMJ and TMD

The combination of oral appliance, joint physical therapy, and stress management is the current standard of care for jaw joint treatment that is called "conservative TMJ or TMD therapy." TMJ stands for Temporo-Mandibular Joint, and is where the temporal bone meets the mandible bone at the jaw joint. TMD stands for Temporo-Mandibular Disorder. TMJ and TMD are pretty much interchangeable. When temperatures begin to change dramatically like they are now is when many TMJ problems begin, and when many old ones begin to come back or get worse. Conservative TMJ therapy is a large part of my practice and a sub-specialty that I have practiced for 22 years. More on symptoms and treatment next time...

Making you happy...

Our practice philosophy/mission statement: Practicing excellent orthodontic and TM-Joint therapy with care and professionalism. Leadership, optimal oral health and aesthetics are the goals of our team.
This is more than just words. In our practice we believe that you, our patients and families, are our biggest priority. YOU ARE VALUED. We want to make sure that your every visit is a pleasant one--that you have confidence in our team, and feel comfortable in our office. Nothing is more important than earning and maintaining your trust. Dr. Pierce or a highly-trained team member communicates with each parent after every appointment or adjustment. Questions are best handled on the spot, at the time of the in-office visit, and in a private area. Our entire team constantly works on all of this.