Ridgeland Dental

General and Airway Dentistry Bartz and Bartz Dental was founded by our Father, Raymond A. Bartz, in 1947. Denis Catholic Church for four decades.

Dad opened his practice in the Chicago Lawn area and served that community for more than 40 years. Dad also worked with The Knights of Columbus, Holy Cross Hospital Advisory Board and Veterans of Foreign Wars, and served as an usher at St. He passed away in 2000, leaving his wife of 56 years and four children. Dad loved his family, worshiped his Lord and would sing songs of joy while he worked at the profession he cherished. We are grateful for his legacy and we honor it-and our patients-by working diligently to meet our Practice Mission Statement:

To promote the finest state-of-the-art dental treatment that we can provide utilizing seminars, workshops and dental courses to keep our skills highly honed. To give each patient the education and guidance to obtain optimum dental health. To strive for perfection, focus on excellence and dedicate ourselves to service. To serve the aesthetic needs of our patients, helping them to develop an attractive, healthy- looking smile. To practice in an atmosphere of happiness and friendship, each day celebrating the gift of life. To build a quality relationship with our patients based on trust, understanding and mutual health values.

03/19/2026

A tongue release is not the finish line.

It’s the starting point.

Before and after a tongue frenectomy, myofunctional therapy retrains the tongue and orofacial muscles to create new neuromuscular patterns for:

✔ Speaking
✔ Chewing
✔ Swallowing
✔ Nasal breathing
✔ Proper rest posture

Without re-education, old compensation patterns return.

And that can affect:
• Orthodontic stability
• Long-term retainer dependence
• Airway function

Stabilizing the tongue before completing orthodontics can reduce relapse and support long-term results.

We focus on function first - so your results last.

03/17/2026

A healthy tongue should be able to gently suction against the hard palate at rest. When this ability is limited, the tongue is more likely to fall back and obstruct the airway during sleep.

Poor tongue suction is associated with an increased number of nighttime breathing obstructions and more frequent, severe snoring. Myofunctional therapy improves tongue strength, coordination, and suction ability, helping support better airflow and quieter sleep.

03/12/2026

Your jaw shape isn’t just about your smile - it’s about your airway.

A narrow upper jaw or high-arched palate is strongly linked to more breathing interruptions during sleep. Why? Because your tongue lives inside your upper jaw. When the jaw is small or narrow, the airway has less room to stay open.

Jaw development + tongue posture = airway health.

If you snore, mouth breathe, or struggle with sleep, your bite may be part of the bigger picture.

03/10/2026

Out with the old, in with the fresh ✨

March is the perfect time for a little spring cleaning - and that includes your smile. A professional dental cleaning removes buildup you can’t reach at home, helps prevent cavities and gum disease, and leaves your smile feeling bright and refreshed.

Let’s start the season with confidence. 🌷

Call to schedule or book online today!

03/05/2026

Your tongue is one of the strongest muscles in your body.

And it rests against your teeth 24/7.

If it’s in the wrong position, it can contribute to:
• Open bites
• Deep bites
• Flared teeth
• Narrow upper jaws

Narrow and high palates are strongly associated with obstructive breathing patterns during sleep.

That means orthodontics alone may not solve the root issue.

If the tongue posture isn’t corrected, teeth can shift back.

Muscles win.

We evaluate tongue posture, palate development, and airway - not just alignment.

📞 Schedule an airway-informed orthodontic consultation today.

02/26/2026

Sleep apnea is far more common - and far more overlooked - than most people realize. Many patients struggle for years with poor sleep and fatigue without understanding the role tongue and airway muscles play in breathing during sleep.

Myofunctional therapy focuses on strengthening and retraining these muscles to help support the airway naturally. When used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, it can significantly improve sleep quality, oxygen levels, and daytime energy.

Better sleep starts with understanding the root cause.

02/19/2026

🦷 Meet Emilia 👋
Emilia is our office manager and a dedicated dental professional with over 13 years of experience in the dental field.

🎓 She holds a Bachelor of Science degree and has built her career around dental insurance expertise, patient care coordination 📋, and practice operations ⚙️.

With her strong understanding of insurance processes and commitment to efficiency ✅, Emilia is an invaluable resource for both patients and the team. Her goal is to support and lead her colleagues while ensuring the practice runs smoothly and every patient has an excellent experience 🌟.

Outside of the office, Emilia enjoys walking her dog Rambo 🐕 and spending quality time with her family 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦💫.

AirwayDentist

02/12/2026

Snoring isn’t just noisy - it’s often caused by excess soft palate tissue blocking airflow during sleep.

This quick, in-office soft palate collagen tightening procedure helps shrink and tighten that tissue, reducing vibration and improving breathing - often immediately.

✨ No injections
✨ Topical anesthetic only
✨ About 10 minutes
✨ Minimal side effects (usually just a mild sore throat)

Patients often notice a difference right away - and their sleep partners definitely do 😉

📩 DM us to learn more or schedule a consultation.

Address

12500 S Harlem Avenue
Palos Heights, IL
60463

Website

http://www.ridgelanddentalpalos.com/

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