Tongue Tied – Can Your Dentist Help?

Tongue-tie is a medical condition otherwise known as ankyloglossia. It occurs when the tissue (frenulum) that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short or tight. It is many times congenital and hereditary, which can produce a challenge to the breastfeeding infant.

“Sometimes the frenulum will recede on it’s own, but in some that is not the case and it can cause other challenges long term,” says Dr.Denine Rice from her Riverside Periodontal and Implant practice. “When the tongue is unable to move freely, there is the possibility it could cause lisping.”

A lisp is a speech impediment where a person has difficulty pronouncing certain sibilants, such as ‘th’, ‘s’, ‘d’, ‘l’ and ‘t’. A lisp is not the only challenge that can come from being tongue-tied. A tongue-tie might also prevent a person from being able to play certain wind instruments or it could cause a gap between the lower front teeth, which might mean an orthodontic referral.   

The good news is the treatment for tongue-tie is easy. “Previously, many dentists would treat tongue-tie by clipping the tissue and freeing the tongue. Now we can do it using the laser, which means little discomfort, less bleeding and immediate results,” adds Dr. Rice. 

Denine Rice, DDS

Dental Implants – Why Should I Consider Them?

While having a tooth missing in your smile may be unsightly, there are other very important reasons for you to consider an implant to replace missing teeth.

First, what is a dental implant? “A dental implant is a fixture that is placed into the jawbone, many times with only local anesthetic. This fixture acts like a tooth root. It maintains the level of bone and creates a stable foundation for a crown or bridge to be placed upon it,” says Dr. Denine Rice from her Implant and Periodontal practice in Riverside, California.

The success rate for implants is impressive. “We’ve seen 99% of our dental patients do quite well with their implants,” adds Dr. Rice. “And with proper care, they can last a lifetime.”

And the advantages are numerous:

1.     Better health – the stability provided by dental implants means that patients can eat a normal and varied diet.

2.     Improved speech – when teeth are missing or when a poor-fitting denture is the only option, speech may suffer.

3.     Greater comfort – many patients, particularly, find that the wearing of dentures is uncomfortable.

4.     Improved appearance – because the implant can replace a single tooth or be used to replace an entire arch of teeth, a lovely smile can be achieved.

5.     Increased options for replacement – when an implant is used to replace a missing tooth, a dental bridge is no longer necessary. This is a positive as dental bridges rely on adjacent teeth for stability.

Contact your dentist today and see if you are a candidate for an implant to replace your missing teeth!