If your baby, toddler, or child is tongue-tied, you may have noticed a few adverse effects, including trouble breastfeeding and speech difficulties. Learn more about what this oral condition is and how to treat it from the competent and capable team at Muscles in Harmony in Phoenix, AZ. We provide expert tongue-tie treatment services and other orofacial myofunctional treatments to help our patients increase their overall well-being.
What Is Tongue-Tie?
Tongue-tie is a condition that forms while your child is still in the womb. It happens when the tissue that connects the tongue and mouth (the lingual frenulum) is either too short or too thick and thereby restricts tongue movement. This condition can be diagnosed during a physical exam and is classified depending on where the frenulum is attached to the tongue.
How Is It Treated?
There are a few surgical procedures that can be used for tongue-tie treatment: frenotomy and frenuloplasty.
A frenotomy is a relatively simple procure that can be done without the use of anesthesia. During the procedure, the lingual frenulum is snipped and freed and sutures are placed where needed.
A frenuloplasty is slightly more invasive and can be used when the tongue-tie is slightly more severe. We use CO2 lasers which are quick. This new technology is used for best healing, no bleeding, reduced scar tissue, and less discomfort.
What Are the Next Steps?
Our therapy is customized to meet the patient's needs. By meeting with our team at Muscles in Harmony, in Phoenix, AZ, we will proceed with all concerns. We treat all ages, infants through adults, and are committed to providing the highest quality of care possible. Since muscles have memory (the frenem is a muscle fiber), exercises are required before and after the surgical release to prevent the tissues from reattaching. Call us at (480) 442-1590 to schedule an assessment. From there we can let you know what your tongue-tie treatment options are and recommend the best course of action going forward.