Tongue and Lip Tie Treatment

What is Tongue and Lip Tie (Frenulum)?

Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) and lip tie are thin tissue connections under the tongue or under the upper lip. These connections can restrict the free movement of the tongue or lip. Tongue tie can cause sucking problems in babies, while lip tie often affects the proper closure of the teeth and oral hygiene. Both conditions can negatively affect speech, feeding and oral health.

Symptoms of Tongue and Lip Tie:

• Suction and Feeding Problems: Babies may have difficulty sucking and inadequate weight gain.
• Speech Disorders: Children with tongue-tie may have difficulty making certain sounds.
• Dental Health Problems: A lip tie can prevent teeth from aligning and closing properly.
• Oral Hygiene Challenges: Lip tie can make it difficult to clean the teeth properly and may cause gum disease.
• Pain and Discomfort: Lip ties can put pressure on the teeth, causing discomfort and creating gaps between the teeth.

How is Frenectomy Performed?

Frenectomy is a simple surgical procedure performed to release the tongue or lip tie. It is usually performed under local anesthesia and the patient does not feel any pain during the procedure. The procedure can be performed using a laser or a scalpel. Laser frenectomy minimizes bleeding and recovery time. In traditional surgical methods, the tissue is released by making an incision. In both methods, the procedure is quick and usually requires a short recovery period.

Post-Treatment Recovery Process

The recovery period after frenectomy is quite short. The patient can usually return to normal functions within a few days. There is a rapid improvement in tongue or lip movements, and feeding or speech problems are largely eliminated. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene during the recovery process; this reduces the risk of infection. Tongue exercises can also help the tongue move more easily after treatment. Speech therapy should be included in the treatment process for individuals with speech disorders before the procedure. 

What are the advantages of frenectomy?

The frenectomy procedure provides many benefits. The main advantages include eliminating sucking problems in babies, correcting speech disorders in children and improving oral hygiene in adults. This procedure also allows you to have a healthier teeth and mouth structure.

What Happens If Tongue and Lip Tie Is Not Treated?

If left untreated, lip and tongue ties can cause lifelong feeding and speech problems. Lip ties can also cause aesthetic and functional problems by causing gaps between teeth. Therefore, frenectomy is a highly effective treatment option for people with lip and tongue ties.