Simple Tongue Tie Treatment: Improves Speech, Breastfeeding Problems and Tongue Mobility

Is your baby having difficulty in breastfeeding?

Is your child having speech difficulties?

Don’t worry; we got you! The condition suffered by your child is called tongue-tie. Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is a congenital disability that limits the range of motion of the tongue. Tongue-tie is caused by a concise, thick, or tight band of tissue (lingual frenulum) tethering the bottom of the tongue’s tip to the floor of the mouth, which may interfere with breastfeeding. Someone who has a tongue tie may have difficulty sticking out their tongue.

Tongue-tie can also affect how a child eats, speaks, and swallows. Breastfeeding and even bottle feeding can be difficult when a baby has ankyloglossia. Tongue-tie may not always cause problems. In some cases, a simple surgical procedure called tongue tie treatment may be required to correct the situation.

Causes of Tongue Tie

Tongue Tie happens when the frenulum (the band of tissue under the tongue) does not separate from the tongue before birth. This could be due to genetics. Since the band of tissue is unusually short or thick, it creates a tightness to the tongue that limits its mobility as the child grows. Tongue Tie is commonly regarded as an isolated condition in children who do not have any other disorders. It is, however, occasionally associated with other syndromes.

Signs and Symptoms of Tongue Tie

Tongue Tie symptoms range from mild to severe. The tongue may resemble a heart or have a notch in it. In some cases, Tongue Tie is mild and does not interfere with daily life. The symptoms might differ based on the age group.

In Infants

In Young Children

Tongue Tie Treatments

Tongue Tie treatment is debatable. Few doctors and lactation consultants advise correcting it as soon as possible, even before the newborn is released from the hospital. However, others prefer to wait and see.

The lingual frenulum may gradually soften, resolving tongue-tie. In some cases, Tongue Tie does not cause any problems. Breast-feeding can be helped in some cases by consulting with a lactation consultant, and speech therapy with a speech-language pathologist can help improve speech sounds.

If Tongue Tie creates trouble in infants, children, or adults, surgical treatment may be necessary. A frenotomy, frenuloplasty, or frenectomy are surgical procedures.

What is frenotomy, and how is it performed?

A frenotomy is a simple surgical procedure that can be performed with or without anesthesia in the hospital nursery or doctor's office.

The doctor examines the lingual frenulum before snipping it free with sterile scissors. As there are fewer nerve endings and blood vessels in the lingual frenulum, the procedure is quick and painless.

If there is any bleeding, it is most likely only a drop or two of blood. A baby can immediately breastfeed after the procedure.

Although frenotomy complications are uncommon, they may include bleeding, infection, or damage to the tongue or salivary glands. Scarring or reattachment of the frenulum to the base of the tongue is also possible.

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What is frenuloplasty?

If the frenum is too thick for a frenotomy, a more invasive procedure is recommended. This is known as frenuloplasty is recommended.

A frenuloplasty is performed with surgical tools while under general anesthesia. After the Tongue Tie surgery, the wound is usually closed with sutures that absorb on their own as the tongue heals.

The risks of a frenuloplasty are bleeding, infection, or damage to the tongue or salivary glands. Scarring and anesthesia reactions are possible as a result of the more extensive nature of the procedure.

Tongue exercises may be recommended following a frenuloplasty to improve tongue movement and reduce the possibility of scarring.

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How does laser frenectomy work?

A soft tissue laser does not cut; instead, light energy causes tissue to "vaporize." The laser causes minimal discomfort. The laser procedure causes almost no bleeding. Lasers sterilize on contact and thus pose a lower risk of infection. The healing process is very fast because a laser stimulates bio-regeneration and healing.

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Laser Frenectomy Benefits

YOUR TOP RATED TONGUE TIE SPECIALIST IN THE MID-SOUTH

Know Your Tongue Tie Specialist

Dr. Pradeep Adatrow is the owner of Advanced Dental Implant and TMJ Center. Advanced Dental Implant and TMJ Center has been voted Desoto’s Best Dental Practice for three consecutive years, and Dr. Adatrow was recently awarded the 2020 Patient Satisfaction Award by Dental Insider, the Internet's largest dentist directory. Dr. Adatrow has been a full- time Professor and Director at the University of Tennessee for 14 years prior to establishing this practice in Southaven in January of 2016. He is a Board Certified Dual specialist in Dentistry (Peridontology and Prosthodontics ) and has been instrumental in teaching hundreds of dental students, placed more than 10,000 implants and helped hundreds of patients suffering with TMJ disorders and Gum Diseases.

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Frequently Asked Questions on Tongue Tie Treatment in Southaven, MS

What is a frenectomy?

Frenectomy is a surgical procedure usually performed under a local anesthetic that eliminates or loosens the tissue bands attached to the ear, cheek, or floor of the patient's mouth. Frenectomy improves the movement of the tongue or can reduce the gap between the upper front teeth. Depending on the dentist operating, a frenectomy is performed by scalpel, electrosurgery, laser, or a combination of the three.

What Is the difference between laser frenectomy and conventional frenectomy?

The tight frenulum is excised with a pair of surgical scissors in a conventional frenectomy. The procedure is quick, but it usually necessitates the use of a local anesthetic. Conversely, a laser frenectomy is frequently performed without a local anesthetic because it causes very little procedural pain. Lasers enable dental professionals to avoid excessive bleeding, post-surgery infections, and high-risk complications. Lasers also provide a level of precision that traditional dental tools cannot match.

What is the working procedure of the Waterlase (Biolase) laser?

The WaterLase dental LASER safely and accurately removes tooth decay, reshapes bone, and re-contours gum tissue using a water stream and a laser-generated beam of energy. We use it in various procedures at our offices, such as tooth decay removal, gingivitis treatment, bone surgeries, and cosmetic dentistry.

Will my insurance pay for the consultation or procedure?

While many dental insurance companies refuse to cover the procedure because the tie is classified as a congenital medical condition, many medical insurance companies cover both the consultation exam and the procedure. We will give you a health insurance claim form to submit to your insurance company. We have discovered that the majority of patients receive some form of reimbursement. As we are not in-network with health insurance companies, filing the claim is the patient's responsibility, and there is no assurance that your health insurance will cover the procedure. You should make payment at the time of service. We will discuss all fees before the treatment begins.

How am I supposed to know about Tongue Tie if my pediatrician or primary care provider does not mention it?

Unfortunately, there is no significant training about tongue and lip ties in medical, dental, nursing, or other health-related professional schools in our current medical education system. This is normal. Doctors who treat tissue ties must pursue additional education to gain expertise. Dr. Adatrow has been seeking further education in the surgical treatment of oral tissues for nearly two decades. He ensures that he provides the best possible care and has a success rate of around 97%.

What happens if Tongue Tie is left untreated?

If Tongue Tie is left untreated into adulthood, they can cause the following issues:

Breathing problems during sleep (SDB)
Obstructive sleep apnea
Back, neck, and shoulder ache
TMD/TMJ (jaw joint pain)
Migraines or chronic headaches

Is it acceptable to breastfeed your baby before the procedure?

Yes, but if you intend to have the surgery done in the same visit, we advise that you wait till after the procedure is finished to avoid regurgitation and potential aspiration of the milk by your baby.

Why Advanced Dental Implants & TMJ Center?

We at Advanced Dental & TMJ Center strive to provide world-class care to our patients. We make sure that all our patients are comfortable and satisfied with their treatment. Dr. Adatrow is passionate about providing personalized care. He spends time with the patients, understands his patient's condition, and recommends the best possible treatment. He has intensively trained in the University of Tennessee and Indiana University hospital for treating gum diseases, laser treatments, crown lengthening, and administering sedation to his patients. He is the only practicing board-certified periodontist and prosthodontist in the southern United States. He has experience of more than 17 years.
Advanced, Dental & TMJ Center is one of the best dental clinics that provide personalized and specialized care and sedation dentistry in Memphis, Southaven, and Olive Branch areas. We have been successfully treating people from Desoto, Hernando, and Shelby counties of Tennessee and Mississippi states. Moreover, our clinic has been voted Desoto County's Best Dental Speciality Clinic for two years.

What are the complications of having a thick frenum?

Speech difficulty - having a thick frenum can restrict your tongue movements and impede your speech abilities
Diastema – Diastema is the spacing between your upper front tooth. A thick frenum placed lower than its usual position would lead to the massive spacing between the upper front tooth.
Mouth breathing – Limited lip movement leads to an open mouth posture, leading to mouth breathing.
Decreased confidence – If you or your kid has speech difficulty or huge spacing between your upper front teeth, it will impact your confidence in the public.
Unstable denture – If you have a thick or highly placed frenum, it will interfere with your denture stability.

When is frenectomy required?

A frenectomy is required in the following scenarios -

When the lingual frenum is too long and stretches to the tip of the tongue, it may directly influence the tongue's function. A lingual frenectomy is required in this scenario.
A large maxillary labial frenum, or attached close to the teeth, may create a gap between the two front teeth. A maxillary labial frenectomy has to be done to correct this situation.

What to expect post-treatment of tongue-tie?

Few babies may sleep more following the surgery; it is just their way of dealing with the healing process. Some babies' breastfeeding episodes may be relatively short and frequent. As soreness reduce, new oral musculature begins to be used post-surgery. When the tongue has the freedom to move following the treatment, you may notice that the baby has better latching when compared to pre-treatment. Often, the tongue requires time to adjust or even re-training if it has been compensating for a long time. Remember that sucking begins in utero, so even if your baby is a newborn, they may require time to adjust or therapy to strengthen the oral musculature. Furthermore, when you are stretching tissue for exercise, it might disturb the open wound, and your baby might cry during the same. Minor bleeding may occur during the exercises, but this usually is not a cause for concern because it stops quickly; very few parents have reported bleeding. Drooling will increase due to the surgery, but it goes back to normal as the wounds heal.

Is my child going to be in pain during the procedure?

This is one of the upsetting procedures for the child and the parent or caregiver to go through. However, with the latest technologies like laser and sedation dentistry, this procedure has become less painful. While infants cannot tell us whether they are in pain verbally, we know from research and our own experience that infant fussiness is minimal. Older children rarely complain about their discomfort. It would take about 10-15 seconds to complete the procedure. Any pain your baby may experience is likely to be comparable to that caused by routine vaccination. We believe that the long-term benefits of releasing the tethered tissues outweigh the brief discomfort. Dr. Adatrow will treat your child as his own and ensure that your child has minimal discomfort during the procedure.

Is Tongue Tie just a fad?

Tongue-ties are as old as humanity, and there is literature dating back to the Bible that documents the need for a midwife to cut the string of tissue beneath the tongue. Treatment for tongue-ties is not novel. However, the most effective and safest treatment is brand-new. Advanced Dental Implant and TMJ Center uses laser technology to treat your baby safely, effectively, and timely. Our Waterlase technology allows for exact treatment and a faster and safer healing process than traditional scalpel treatment.

Is it okay for me to remain in the treatment room with my baby during the surgery?

We will ask you to wait in our reception area during the procedure for your safety. Furthermore, our doctors prefer to concentrate solely on your baby to complete the procedure as quickly as possible. We invite you to trust to care for your child. At all times, an assistant and a doctor will be present in the room with your baby. As this is a laser-assisted surgical procedure, protective eyewear is mandated. During the process, your child's eyes will be protected with a towel. Immediately following the procedure, a member of our staff will accompany you to the treatment room, where we will have you soothe your baby and attempt to nurse or feed your baby with a bottle. Most mothers notice an instant difference in their child's feeding.

What is the difference between Advanced Dental Implant & TMJ Center and the corporate dental centers?

We at Advanced Dental & TMJ Center have the same advantages as any other corporate dental clinic by having a specialist in the house to care for your unique dental needs. We differentiate ourselves from corporate dental clinics by focusing on our patients' welfare and satisfaction rather than revenue generation and cost-cutting. Our doctor makes sure that he sees every patient and studies their condition completely before devising a personalized treatment plan. Dr. Adatrow monitors each step of your procedure to ensure your wellbeing. We at Advanced Dental & TMJ Center consider you a family and treat you as one while serving for your complete satisfaction. Moreover, we are the most experienced Waterlase dentist in the surrounding area.

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Simple Tongue Tie Treatment: Improves Speech, Breastfeeding Problems and Tongue Mobility

Is your baby having difficulty in breastfeeding?

Is your child having speech difficulties?

Causes of Tongue Tie

Signs and Symptoms of Tongue Tie

In Infants

In Young Children