Siegert Dental

10/13/2026

A TMJ dentist can help patients understand jaw pain, clicking, stiffness, and other symptoms linked to the temporomandibular joints.

A TMJ dentist can help patients understand jaw pain, clicking, stiffness, and other symptoms linked to the temporomandibular joints. These joints connect the lower jaw to the skull and support chewing, speaking, and yawning. When the joints, muscles, teeth, or jaws do not work together well, patient...

10/09/2026

Before taking the bite record for my nighttime appliance, Abby Jean walked me through the TENS step—what she was doing and why it’s part of my fitting.

After 15 years alongside Dr. Jake, she knows how to make the process feel a little less mysterious—even when the patient is me. 🤍

A little behind-the-scenes education as I move my own health higher on the to-do list. Still slightly in denial about the aging part. 😉

10/09/2026

Another beautiful trip around the sun ☀️ And one health to-do I’m finally making time for: my sleep.

I’ve tracked my sleep for a while, but I decided to take it a step further with a sleep study. My reported light and REM sleep looked reassuring, while my deep sleep deserved a closer look.

And as much as Dr. Jake loves hearing me talk about perimenopause… here we are. 😂

Hormonal changes during this season can disrupt sleep and increase the risk of sleep-related breathing problems. When we sleep, muscles relax, and in some people, the jaw and tongue can settle backward, narrowing the airway.

Why does deep sleep matter? It supports physical recovery, tissue repair, and the release of growth hormone—even in adults. Every sleep stage has a purpose, and deep sleep is an important part of feeling restored.

So today, I’m in the patient chair, getting fitted for a custom nighttime positioning appliance. 🦷

This type of appliance holds the lower jaw slightly forward to help keep the airway open during sleep. For appropriately evaluated patients, it can be an option for treating obstructive sleep apnea. The process includes a custom fit, adjustments, and follow-up testing to check how well it’s working.

An appliance isn’t prescribed based on a deep-sleep number alone. Understanding your breathing, symptoms, and complete sleep-study results helps guide the next step.

At Siegert Dental, we offer home sleep studies through our office. Our team is trained to help you understand how sleep fits into your overall health and wellness—and help you take the next step toward answers.

Come along for a behind-the-scenes look at my fitting. This year, I’m moving my own health a little higher on the to-do list. 🤍

Curious about your sleep? Let’s start a conversation.

10/08/2026

Your child’s breathing deserves a closer look. 👃

At Siegert Dental, we pay attention to how children breathe, sleep, and use the muscles of their mouth—because these all matter to a growing smile.

The nose helps filter, warm, and humidify the air we breathe. Mouth breathing bypasses much of that preparation.

Occasional mouth breathing during a cold is common. Persistent mouth breathing deserves an evaluation. Here’s why:

🦷 Oral health: Mouth breathing can dry the mouth, and persistent dryness increases the risk of tooth decay.

🌱 Developing smiles: Difficulty breathing through the nose may contribute to changes in tongue posture, dental arch development, and bite alignment. Growth is influenced by many factors, and breathing is one piece of the picture.

💤 Sleep and daytime well-being: Mouth breathing—especially alongside snoring or restless sleep—can signal a sleep-related breathing disorder. Those disorders can affect attention, behavior, and growth.

Where do early interception, airway orthodontics, and myofunctional therapy fit?

Early evaluation helps us recognize concerns while children are growing. Airway-focused orthodontic care considers jaw development, bite, and breathing together. For selected children, treatment may include expansion to address a narrow upper jaw.

Myofunctional therapy works on tongue resting position, lip closure, and swallowing patterns, supporting nasal breathing once airway obstructions have been addressed. Care may also involve a pediatrician, ENT, or sleep specialist. (aapd.org, aapd.org, asha.org)

At Siegert Dental, Dr. Jake and our team start by understanding your child’s individual needs.

Noticing frequent mouth breathing or snoring? Bring it up at your child’s next visit. Earlier awareness gives us the opportunity to make thoughtful decisions together. 💙

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10/06/2026

Sleep apnea can affect breathing, energy levels, and overall health, and a dentist may play an important role in supporting treatment.

Sleep apnea can affect breathing, energy levels, and overall health, and a dentist may play an important role in supporting treatment. While a physician or sleep specialist provides the diagnosis, a general dentist can identify possible signs during routine exams and provide oral appliance therapy w...

10/05/2026

Help us celebrate 15 years with Abby! 🎉💐

Abby has been alongside Dr. Jake since he took over the practice. They’ve learned together, grown together, and shared so many milestones along the way—and she’s been an important part of the Siegert Dental story ever since. ❤️

Over these 15 years, we’ve had the joy of celebrating her wedding, watching her start her own family, and seeing her continue to expand her skills, including earning her expanded function dental assistant certification!

Abby, thank you for all you’ve contributed to our patients, our team, and our practice. We are so fortunate to have you and grateful for everything these 15 years have held.

Please join us in wishing Abby a happy work anniversary! 🦷✨

10/04/2026

Dr. Jake has experienced the MARPE journey firsthand. Now, we’re supporting Ethan as he begins his own.

We’re back at Dr. Ting’s office! With Dr. Jake’s MARPE treatment complete, this visit was an opportunity to support Ethan, continue learning, and collaborate on his care.

What brought Ethan to Siegert Dental to explore MARPE?

💤 Poor sleep, snoring, and daytime fatigue
🦷 Tooth wear and loss of tooth structure
😁 A smile he felt was too narrow

These concerns prompted him to ask questions and explore his treatment options—and we’re grateful he invited us to be part of that process.

Having been through treatment himself, Dr. Jake brings a personal understanding of what it feels like to take that first step, navigate the process, and anticipate the changes ahead.

Thank you, Dr. Ting and team Ting Orthodontics for sharing your knowledge and welcoming us back. And Ethan, thank you for trusting us and allowing us to share your story!

Follow along as we document Ethan’s progress, his experience, and what we learn along the way. ✨

09/30/2026

A little turn, a little teamwork, and lots of encouragement! 🦷💛

Wondering what it’s like to turn an expander? Our sweet patient and dental assistant, Victoria, are giving you a peek!

Something that feels unfamiliar at first can become a manageable part of your routine with a little practice and guidance. That’s why we take time to demonstrate, answer questions, and help our families feel confident before heading home. ✨

We’re cheering this girl on—one turn at a time! 🌈

Already on an expansion journey? Follow your child’s prescribed turning schedule, and reach out whenever you need a little extra support. We’re here for you!

09/30/2026

Little turns. Colorful milestones. A smile worth celebrating! 🦷🌈

Our sweet patient is making her way through her expansion journey—one turn and one colorful shape at a time! 💛

Her Expansion Adventure tracker gives her a fun way to mark each completed turn and see her progress along the way. Because being involved in your own care can be empowering, even when you’re little!

At Siegert Dental, we love celebrating the small steps, encouraging our patients, and partnering with parents throughout the process.

We’re so proud of this sweet girl and grateful her family trusts us with her care. Help us cheer her on! 🎉👏

09/23/2026

“But they still have baby teeth… shouldn’t we wait?” 🦷

It’s a question worth asking—especially when you notice an underbite or teeth that don’t seem to fit together.

For some children, treatment while the jaws are still growing can help improve the bite. The right timing starts with understanding what’s developing.

In this patient’s case, we identified a narrow upper jaw and a developing Class III bite, often called an underbite.

Their personalized plan included:
✨ Expansion to widen the upper jaw.
✨ A facemask appliance to help bring the upper jaw forward.
✨ Myofunctional therapy to practice tongue posture, lip seal, and swallowing patterns.

At Siegert Dental, we look at how the teeth, jaws, and oral function work together. We also ask about breathing and sleep concerns that may need coordination with a child’s healthcare team.

These photos show progress in this child’s treatment. We’ll continue monitoring as adult teeth erupt and growth continues; additional orthodontic care may still be needed.

💙 An early evaluation doesn’t automatically mean early treatment. It helps us decide what to address now and what to watch over time.

Save this for your child’s next dental visit, and ask: “How is their bite developing?”