As an airway dentist in Acton, Dr. Ratti Handa understands the complex relationships between skeletal structure, facial muscles, and tissues that make up the face, mouth, and neck. Dr. Handa’s advanced training in myofunctional therapy helps her and her team create personalized therapy programs for patients needing myofascial release therapy. The needs of the individual patient are addressed after an evaluation of overall muscle condition and function. Learn more about treating tongue tie and lip tie with an airway dentist below.
Tongue Tie Long-Term Risks and Symptoms
The tongue and the lips have bands of tissue known as a frenulum that attach them to the mouth and support muscle coordination for speaking, eating, and sucking. When the frenulum is too short, it can limit the movement of the tongue or affect palate growth and tooth development in the case of a lip tie. Tongue ties can make it difficult to speak clearly or in the case of an infant, suck efficiently when being fed. Tongue and lip ties can also impact proper jaw and airway development and lead to complex issues if left untreated.
Common symptoms of a tongue tie include:
- In infants or children, difficulty breastfeeding or colic symptoms
- Constant headaches
- Tightness on one side of the body
- Persistent TMJ disorders or jaw pain
- Trouble sleeping
- Difficulty speaking, chewing, or moving the lips and tongue
Frenectomy for Children and Adults
The release of a tongue or lip tie is known as a frenectomy. Dr. Handa can perform an in-office frenectomy using a CO2 laser on patients of all ages, from infants to adults. Completed in a single visit with only a topical anesthetic needed, using a laser to perform a frenectomy for both children and adults is safe, effective and eliminates the need for a surgical procedure and associated risks.
Adults who have suffered from tongue tie for many years may need additional therapy and follow up treatment, especially if they have experienced speech or functional deficiencies as a result of their tethered oral tissue.
Acton, MA Tongue Tie Treatment
Even after the release of a tongue tie, many patients need additional myofunctional therapy to help loosen the tissues in the mouth and neck. Contact our Acton, MA airway dentist Dr. Handa for an appointment to learn more about relieving discomfort and restoring full functionality to your smile. Schedule your appointment online or call us at 978.212.3783 today.