Tongue tie, or tethered oral tissue (TOT), is basically a strand of tissue (frenum) that is too tight or too short and restricts the movements of the tongue and lips.
This may be discovered in an infant who is having difficulty nursing, a toddler with a speech impediment or difficulty articulating, or even an adult who has this congenital defect but has never had the benefit of releasing the tissue.
Proper treatment and resolution is most effective when professionals from several different disciplines work together. The first step is to recognize symptoms and get a diagnosis. A lactation consultant may be the first person to become suspicious when a nursing mother and newborn are having trouble with feedings. A pediatrician or primary care physician may identify TOT in a baby who is not thriving. A speech therapist working with a young patient would certainly consider TOT, and a dentist may well discover tethered tissue during a routine oral exam of a child or adult.
Releasing the tissue can be done by a qualified dentist in-office in less than 10 minutes using a dental laser. The laser makes the release painless, causes very little, if any, bleeding and promotes faster healing. Our doctors use the Waterlase iPlus. But the first step is a thorough in-office assessment to confirm the necessity, the urgency and desired outcome.
Referral for a tongue tie release can be made by any of the professionals mentioned above. And best outcome will likely enlist the services of a speech therapist and/or myofunctional therapist pre-op to teach parents exercises to stretch the tissue in preparation for the release procedure and post-op to help re-train muscles for proper function and healing.