My profession is a way for me to make a positive and meaningful contribution to my society. At times, we also see patients with severe malocclusions that cause speech impediments, difficulty eating, or even breathing. For these patients, braces are life changing, and seeing that change and how it affects their quality of life makes my work extremely rewarding.

Education and Continuing Education

I was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and soon after moved to The Hague, Netherlands, where my father, a manager for Venezuela’s oil company, was relocated for his job. I attended the American School of The Hague, where I learned piano at a young age and became an active member of the Girl Scouts, achieving the title of Junior Scout. At age 12, my family moved back to Caracas. Here, I graduated high school from the Unidad Educativa Academia Washington, where I was a competitive swimmer on the school’s team. It was also during this time when I met my orthodontist Dr. Gisella Contasti, who inspired me to become an orthodontist.

I was accepted into the prestigious Universidad Santa Maria for dental school, where I completed a five-year program and had the opportunity to go on mission trips to serve the indigenous population of the Amazon region. Here, I received firsthand experience seeing untreated cleft lip and palate patients that solidified my wish to become an orthodontist and one day treat these kinds of cases. Once out of dental school, I shared my time between private practice, volunteering in underprivileged areas, researching, and shadowing my mentor and own orthodontist, Dr. Contasti, where I learned many basic principles of orthodontics.

In the summer of 2012, I started an orthodontics preceptorship at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where I was admitted to begin as an orthodontics resident in the summer of 2013. It was during this time that I learned many different orthodontic treatment systems, techniques, and philosophies, and gained experience using the most innovative technology such as orthodontic mini-implants, 3D radiology (CBCT), and lingual braces, all to the benefit of my patients. It was also during this time that I met my husband, and classmate, Dr. Ryan Reyes. It still amazes me that out of four students chosen from more than 200 students who applied for our positions, we were chosen together. Talk about fate!

I graduated in May 2016 with my Certificate in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, as well as a Master of Science in Orthodontics for my research in the area of craniofacial growth and development.

I understand that orthodontics is constantly evolving to provide patients with faster and more comfortable treatment. Through hands-on courses, scientific lectures, and demonstrations of the latest techniques used in orthodontic treatment, I stay up to date in order to give my patients the best experience and the most beautiful and healthy smile achievable.

Professional Memberships

Beyond the Practice

Dr. Ryan Reyes and I have been married for almost two years. We have a daughter named Sophia Victoria, but we call her Sophie for short. She is our little bundle of joy. We work together to maintain a balance between family and work.

When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family. I love the outdoors and nature. Hiking is one of my favorite activities, as well as biking. I am passionate about cinema. I love watching new TV shows and movies, as well as classics. I can also find myself immersed in Pinterest, thinking of the next project I will do. I like trying new restaurants and going to stage productions, and am fond of photography.

In the Community

Being active in the community is also important to me as a mother. I am encouraged every day when I see my daughter. We are helping to build her future, as well and the future of all the children in Laredo. We support local businesses, participate in fundraisers, contribute in school activities such as career day, and are always looking for new ways to benefit our hometown.