How do I know if I have a tongue tie or lip tie?
For adult patients with a tongue or lip tie that has never been released, certain symptoms indicate that it is interfering with their quality of life and normal oral function.
- Tightness on one side of the body: shoulder, neck, or even hip pain from an imbalance throughout the musculoskeletal system
- Headaches
- Facial tension
- Jaw pain and TMJ-related disorders
- Sleep disorders
- Lisp or speech impediment
- Difficulty chewing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Poor digestion
- Tongue thrusting
- Mouth breathing
- Crooked teeth
- Stuttering
- Failure to thrive, especially in infants
Dr. Ratti Handa can provide airway-centered dentistry therapy and treatment for a Myofunctional disorder resulting from a tethered oral tissue (TOT) such as a lip tie or tongue tie. Tethered oral tissues in adults can often affect the quality of life.
In infants and children, tongue and lips ties affect a child’s normal oral development, including their ability to breastfeed efficiently as an infant. Seeking prompt treatment for a tongue or lip tie will allow you or your child to enjoy a healthy oral and overall growth and development pattern if there are no other health issues.
If a tongue or lip tie was not identified at birth, some common signs and symptoms indicate a possible tethered oral tissue for your child. These can include:
- Failure to thrive, low weight
- Difficulty breastfeeding
- Lip callouses on an infant
- Colic symptoms
The tongue and the lips have bands of tissue known as a frenulum that attaches 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.
A tongue-tie, known clinically as ankyloglossia can be hereditary and is present at birth. In some cases, it resolves within the first year, thinning as your baby grows. Dr. Handa offers comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for ties and follow up therapy to restore proper muscle function.
We can even treat infants in the comfort of our dental office using advanced technology for a safe and effective release of the tongue or lip tie.
If a tongue or lip tie was not identified at birth, there are common signs and symptoms that indicate a possible tethered oral tissue. These can include:
- Failure to thrive, low weight
- Difficulty breastfeeding
- Lip callouses on an infant
- Colic symptoms
For adult patients with a tongue or lip tie that has never been released there are also certain symptoms that indicate it is interfering with your quality of life and normal oral function:
- Tightness on one side of the body: shoulder, neck, or even hip pain from an imbalance throughout the musculoskeletal system
- Headaches
- Jaw pain and TMJ related disorders
- Sleep disorders
Myofunctional Therapy
Before and after the release of a tongue or lip tie on a child or adult, there may be a need for therapy. Before treatment, myofunctional therapy helps to loosen the fascia in the frenulum. After treatment, the therapy is to retrain the facial muscles so that they operate normally and do not create tension or affect jaw movement.
Myofunctional therapy or myofascial release therapy (MFR) is designed to restore normal flexibility and function in the muscles of the face, jaw, and neck which have been compromised by a tie. The older the patient, the more likely there are issues to be addressed. For some adults, there is significant discomfort or the presence of a TMJ disorder as a result of a lip or tongue tie.
Dr. Handa 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. Dr. Handa has advanced training in myofunctional therapy and can help patients restore their oral health, overall physical wellness, and self-confidence.
Frenectomies for Children in Acton
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 children is safe, effective and eliminates the need for a surgical procedure and associated risks.
Frenectomy for Adults in Acton
Adult patients with a tongue or lip tie can have their tie released using laser dentistry. A short office visit using a local anesthetic will enable Dr. Handa to release a tongue or lip tie in the majority of cases. Follow up myofunctional therapy is often recommended for adult patients, many of whom have been suffering from difficulties related to speech and discomfort as a result of their tethered oral tissue.
Lip Release Treatment
For patients with a lip tie, a lip release can be performed in our office with the CO2 laser, much like a tongue tie. Dr. Handa will assess the condition and severity of the lip tie and make the appropriate treatment recommendation for the release, including pre-treatment and follow-up myofunctional therapy.