Tongue tie assessment

What is a tongue tie assessment?


Ankyloglossia, or tongue tie, is a congenital condition where the lingual (tongue) or labial (lip) frenum is too tight and restricts movement of the tongue. The most immediate impact of a tongue-tie is on a baby’s ability to breastfeed effectively, it may interfere with a baby’s ability to latch and suckle at the breast.
Left untreated, there are other reported implications including speech, dental, swallowing and digestive issues.

Symptoms of tongue or lip ties include:

  • A history of difficulty breastfeeding as an infant

  • Speech challenges especially with the sounds: S, T, L, R, Ch, Sh, Th, F, Z

  • Strong gag reflex

  • Clenching or grinding teeth

  • Difficulty nose breathing

  • Recurrent ear, nose or throat infections

  • History of bed wetting

  • Extended pacifier/dummy use

  • Thumb sucking, hair chewing or eyelash pulling

  • Tiredness after speaking for extended periods

  • Challenges with brushing upper front teeth

  • History of decayed posterior teeth

  • Frequent bad breath

  • Crowded teeth

  • Dislike of certain textures of food

  • Difficulty swallowing food or tablets

  • Difficulty clearing mouth of food

  • Slow eater

  • Digestive problems such as reflux or constipation

  • Sleep apnoea

  • Noisy breathing and / or snoring

  • Neck, back or head pain

  • Migraines

  • TMJ pain or jaw clicking

Laser surgery allows a layer by layer, thorough removal of the attachment of lip and/or tongue tie.  It is a relatively quick and straightforward process, not requiring general anaesthetic, an operating room, sutures or oral medications. It can be completed in the dental office within a few minutes.

Lasers are an excellent alternative to scissors or a scalpel as a means to incise soft tissue. In laser terms the tissue is “ablated”. Light energy is used to incise tissue rather than cutting which occurs with scissors or scalpels. The use of lasers in surgery has a distinct advantage over other methods for a number of reasons: it reduces the collateral damage as it is more precise and removes skin layer by layer, it is bactericidal (kills bacteria as it ablates), reduces oedema, swelling and inflammation and therefore allows for better healing through the concept of photobiomodulation.

The procedure itself takes a few minutes for each frenum. Local anaesthetic will be used in the region of the procedure.

As with any procedure, there are potential risks involved. Not all tongue ties require treatment. We can assess you or your child’s tongue tie and discuss the risks and benefits of treatment, specific to you/your child’s circumstances.

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For all enquiries, please contact us on (03) 53811194 or via email: [email protected]
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