If you’ve been diagnosed with a tongue tie, or think your child might have one, you most likely have some questions about the condition and how it can be treated. A tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, is a condition where a band of tissue under the tongue is too short or tight, restricting tongue movement. In this post, we’ll explain the benefits of releasing a tongue tie, what happens during a frenectomy, and how laser therapy can make the procedure completely painless.
What Is a Tongue Tie?
A tongue tie occurs when the lingual frenulum (the tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth) is unusually short, thick, or tight. Eating and speaking are more difficult with a tongue tie, and limited tongue mobility can also prevent breastfeeding infants from latching easily.
A tongue tie can also have a negative impact on oral hygiene, because the inability to move your tongue freely can make it more difficult to clear food debris. As a result, tongue ties increase the risk of cavities and gum disease.
What Are the Benefits of Releasing a Tongue Tie?
The medical procedure for releasing a tongue tie is called a frenectomy. This simple procedure takes only a few minutes and it alleviates all the symptoms of restricted tongue movement. It can be performed by a dentist or another trained healthcare professional.
Releasing a tongue tie can provide:
1. Better Oral Health
With improved tongue movement, oral hygiene becomes easier to maintain.
2. Improved Quality of Life
From eating to speaking, a frenectomy can resolve the daily challenges caused by a tongue tie.
3. More Articulate Speech
Along with speech therapy, releasing a tongue tie can support better articulation by improving tongue mobility.
4. Improved Feeding
For infants, a tongue tie release can significantly improve breastfeeding by enabling a better latch and reducing breast pain.
What Happens During a Frenectomy?
Diagnosis
Before treatment, your dentist will assess the severity of the tongue tie and its impact.
Procedure
The frenectomy can be performed using a laser or surgical scissors to cut the frenulum. Both techniques are effective, but laser frenectomies are becoming increasingly popular due to their high precision, minimal bleeding, and shorter healing times. At Copper Creek Dental we use the Solea Laser to provide quick and painless frenectomy procedures.
Aftercare
After the procedure, tongue exercises may be recommended to improve mobility and prevent reattachment of the frenulum.
Does Releasing a Tongue Tie Hurt?
One of the most common concerns about a tongue tie release is whether the procedure is painful. For infants, the procedure is generally very quick, and involves minimal discomfort because their frenulum tissue is very thin. Many babies resume feeding almost immediately after the procedure.
For older children and adults, local anesthesia can be used to prevent pain. While soreness or discomfort may occur afterward, it’s short-lived and manageable with pain relievers.
Schedule a Frenectomy Consultation in South Jordan
Early intervention can help prevent long-term complications from tongue ties and improve oral health. If you suspect that you or your child has a tongue tie, don’t hesitate to reach out to Copper Creek Dental. We’re committed to providing effective and compassionate dental care using state-of-the-art technology like the Solea Laser. We can provide an accurate diagnosis and discuss whether a frenectomy is the right solution. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (2/25/2025). Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels