1.Tongue-tie / short lingual frenum / restrictive tethered oral tissue is an embryological tissue leftover present at about 8 weeks of gestation. It can manifest as tissue that extends to the tip of the tongue, or as a short band of tissue or somewhere in between. Assessment is nuanced; an experienced tongue-tie provider will assess not only what the tongue-tie looks like, but the function of the tongue.
When it comes to a tongue-tie, looks are not everything. If you are told that its only a small tongue-tie, your child will outgrow it, or it does not look too bad, that does not mean that you should ignore it. You/baby would undoubtedly benefit from an assessment from Dr. Santiago the skilled diagnostician and clinician.
2.The genetic component of tongue-tie is in the gene(s) that regulate methylation and allows for programmed cell death. This is a natural embryologic process for deleting unneeded cells. In other words, it is not an inherited feature like hair color or eye color.
4.It is estimated that up to 50% of the population has some anatomical restriction of the tongue, limiting movement, and optimal function. The incidence is grossly underestimated in older literature cited by medical professionals who denounce the presence of tongue-tie. Many old teachings and studies did not have a standardized assessment/classification tools for either anatomy or function.
5.There is more clinical efficacy in treating a tongue-tie than to circumcising a male baby. Surgical discomfort is minimal in comparison to other early childhood surgeries. More importantly, the long-term health benefits will be substantial and long-reaching for a baby, child, or adult.
6.There are many detrimental effects of not treating a tongue-tie. There can be potential difficulties with breastfeeding, latch problems, oral issues, improper swallowing, higher risk of choking, difficulties with speech, underdeveloped jaws as well as other dental challenges. It also increases the risk of developing breathing-disordered sleep, the potential for headaches/neck pain/poor posture, and more.
7.Tongue-tie assessment and treatment requires proper education, proper positioning, proper training, and surgical skill. To properly assess an infant, the provider has to physically examine the baby over the top of the head and lift the tongue with their index fingers. They also need to have optimal lighting (a headlamp) when performing the examination. They should know the difference between an anterior and posterior tie.
Dr. Kimberly Santiago was born and raised in the Los Angeles area, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brandeis University with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. She spent a year skiing the slopes of Colorado and then moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington School of Dentistry. Dr. Santiago was the top-ranked female dental student, graduated third in her class, was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon dental honors society and received just about every possible award University of Washington School of Dentistry gives out annually.Her free time is spent as Supermom to Simona, Alessandro, and Eliana. Dr. Santiago enjoys family time, lazy weekends, culinary arts, traveling, the Seahawks, skiing, and binge-watching awesome shows.
Dr. Santiago is earnestly committed to helping enrich and improve the lives of her patients. She firmly believes in healing the patient by treating the root cause of disease/health problems, rather than treating symptoms. This integrative wellness model is a departure from conventional medicine and dentistry; it looks for and treats the smoke before the fire.Every individual deserves to have the option to heal themself.Dr. Kimberly has developed one of the first all-encompassing airway-centric dental practices in which a patient receives a global diagnosis and comprehensive treatment options to help restore them to health, functionally and structurally,andfor the long-term. She believes every individual deserves to make the choice to be the best version of themself.
Not only does Dr. Kimberly Santiago take 200-300 hours of continuing education each year, but she also is passionate about educating the community at large about the ubiquitous nature of dysfunctional breathing, dysfunctional sleep, tongue-tie, and underdeveloped jaws. She spends many hours monthly instructing speech language therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, lactation consultants, pediatricians, sleep physicians (and more) on how to identify children and adults who are showing the smoke signals for impaired breathing and sleep. She believes that we can make an impact on humanity and significantly reduce the rates of chronic disease.
Dr. Kimberly Santiago: Brandeis University - BA Psychology, 2000 University of Washington School of Dentistry, 2005 Dr. Jed Santiago University of Washington - BS Biochemistry, 1995 University of Washington School of Dentistry, 2002 Kois Center Graduates - 2010Pikos Implant Institute - 2011, 2012, 2014Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique - 2015 Tufts University Infant Tethered Oral Tissues Training - 2016Bale Doneen Preceptorship - 2017Airway Mini-Residency (AMR) - 2018 MyoBrace Activities Group/Member - since 2018 Airway Mini-Residency 2.0 - 2020The Breathe Institute Functional Frenuloplasty and Sleep Course/TBI Ambassador Distinction - 2018, 7/2019, 11/2019Vivos Integrated Practice - since 2018Surgically Facilitated Orthodontic (SFOT) training with Dr. Rick Roblee - 2018, 2020 SFOT Personal Mentorship with Dr. Rick Roblee, 2020 - presentALF Education with Dr. Ljuba Lemke- 2019, 2021AGGA training with Dr. Steve Galella of The Facial Beauty Institute - 2019, 2020 MARPE/MSE/DOME education with Dr. Audrey Yoon - 2020 MARPE/MSE education with Dr. Marianna Evans - 2020 Vitamin D RightSleep Protocol Clinical Training with Dr. Stasha Gominak MARPE/MSE education with Dr. Won Moon - 2020, 2021 University of Kentucky College of Dentistry TMJ Mini-Residency 2020 ASAP Pathway (Airway, Sleep, & Pediatrics) Founding Member, since 2020 Postural Orthodontics Advanced Continuum and personal mentorship with Dr. Simon Wong - 2020, 2021 MARPE/MSE education with Dr. Won Moon - 2020, 2021 Homeoblock Personal Mentorship with Dr. Ted Belfor ALF InterFACE Academy Advanced Continuum: ALF Foundations, ALF Genesis, ALF Grow, ALF Guide BabyLase/SmileLase Training MyoMentor Graduates - Michelle, Nicci, and Kate Periodontal-Orthodontics Beyond The Limits with DSD and Dr. Todd Scheyer MSE Advanced Education with Dr. Richard Ting Digital Smile Design Residency I AIR Institute Mini Residency Part 1 NightLase, NaseLase, SmoothLase, TonsilLase Training w. Fotona
ADA/WSDA/SKCDS: American Dental Association, Washington State Dental Association, Seattle King County Dental SocietyAGD: American Academy of General DentistryAAOSH: American Academy of Oral and Systemic Health MemberAAPMD: American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry, General Member and Community Liaison, Seattle ChapterAmerican Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine: Active Member ICAP: International Consortium of Oral Ankylofrenula ProfessionalsMyoBrace Membership ProgramThe Breathe Institute AmbassadorKois Center GraduatesAMR GraduatesFoundation for Airway HealthWeston A. Price Foundation ASAP Pathway Founding Member Airway Circle Member Health:Latch Circle Member Childrens Airway First Foundation (CAFF) Advisory Board
Dr. Jed Santiago is from Silverdale, Washington. He graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry. He conducted protein folding research at the UW for three years before returning to the University of Washington to earn his DDS degree. He is a Husky through and through.
His love of learning and the science behind dentistry led him and Dr. Kimberly Santiago to the prestigious Kois Center. They are both Kois Center Graduates having completed the rigorous advanced certification. His drive for continuous self-improvement has led him to learn from all the leaders in his field. He has participated in the entire curriculum of the Pikos Institute where advanced implant and surgical techniques are taught. He was not satisfied with just that and has continued to learn from other leaders in that field like Drs. Norm Ickert and Dean Kois. He has also participated in advanced courses taught by a leader in root canal therapies, Dr. L. Stephen Buchanan. With all of this knowledge he can provide most, if not all, a patients treatment needs. Through Digital Smile Design, even before Dr. Santiago touches your teeth he can show you how beautiful and harmonious your smile will look after comprehensive treatment.
Both Drs. Kimberly and Jed Santiago realized that most of dentistry and healthcare in general are kept in separate silos. Every specialty has a silo. This is not right since we are all part of a whole human body. This drove them to find the links between the mouth and the rest of the human body. Through continued learning from the likes of cardiologists, Amy Doneen and Bradley Bale, they learned the links between inflammation in the mouth and heart attack and stroke. Learning from Dr. Doug Thompson and Dr. Tom Nabors the most effective way to rid patients of mouth inflammation has become an essential part of Airsync Integrative Dentistry. This has opened many doors to help people find answers to their other health problems. Drs. Kimberly and Jed Santiago work collaboratively with many area physicians, naturopaths, chiropractors, physical therapists, and other specialists. All of these specialists are like minded in that they understand their silo does not have all the answers and through a combined approach their patients will live their healthiest life.
During his time off he enjoys spending as much time as he can with his lovely wife and their equally lovely children Simona, Alessandro and Eliana. They are Seahawks fans through thick and thin. They enjoy traveling together, playing with the kids, seeing movies, and eating at all the fabulous Puget Sound restaurants.
Chelsea manages scheduling at AirSync Integrative Dentistry and is a big reason why clients love coming to the office. Her favorite part of her job is becoming close with all the families and watching the changes happen as patients go through treatment. The AirSync team works as a close office family which makes each day a good one. Outside the office, Chelsea loves to garden and her favorite flowers are roses. Shes had a cheery outlook her whole life and was a cheerleader for the Cedarcrest Red Wolves in Duvall, Washington. She was born and raised in Washington state which means she has some local restaurant favorites. One of them is Scotts Dairy Freeze in North Bend where she and her husband had many dates when they first met.
Chelsea works with all tongue-tie and airway patients; the best thing she likes about her job is celebrating the improvements as her patients progress through treatment. She feels a sense of fulfillment when a patient shares that theyve stopped snoring, their speech has sudden clarity, they can sleep again or dream again. She loves being able to get to know the patients often seeing them come out of their shell. Chelsea is loyal to her Mississippi roots and her favorite flower is Magnolia, the State flower. When shes outside the office she loves to visit Cycle Dogs in Seattle because of their plant-based food thats also comfort food.
Andrea oversees all at AirSync Integrative Dentistry and loves meeting all the new people coming to the practice. She finds her passion for getting patients started with their treatment because theyre able to find solutions to their health challenges. And just like her favorite flower, the Plumeria, Andrea embodies positivity. You might recognize this flower as one frequently used in Hawaiian leis. Its known for its fragrant scent and uplifting colors. Her favorite restaurant in Seattle, Caf Turko, is equally vibrant serving Turkish dishes and colorful decor.
Nicci loves that she gets to work with an amazing team as they collaborate to coach and support the patients with the goal of optimal health, starting with their mouths. She loves seeing her patients on a regular basis and developing genuine relationships with them. When shes not in the office she can be found at Fresh! for what she calls hands down the best acai bowls on the Eastside!. When shes ready for a splurge she goes for her favorite ultimate burger indulgence at Black Duck.
She focuses on helping them reach there optimal oral and systemic health while at the same time helping them overcome any dental phobias. When shes not at the office shes enjoying nature. Her favorite flower is the lilac which you can find all over the Seattle area and smell its fragrant scent. She also loves birds and has feeders at home that attract the state bird of Washington, the American Goldfinch. Michelle also shares a love for the acai bowls at Fresh Juice Bar, simply the best!