A tongue tie is a short or tight band of tissue under the tongue that limits how far the tongue can move. For some people it never causes a problem. For others it gets in the way of speaking clearly, eating comfortably or keeping teeth clean.
Dr. Chiranjeevi Tummala releases tongue ties with a dental laser at our Meyerland office in southwest Houston. The laser makes a precise release with little bleeding, and stitches are usually not needed. She sees children and adults, and she will tell you plainly whether a release is likely to help before anything is scheduled. Call 713-723-7200 or request an appointment to have it checked.
What Is a Tongue Tie?
Everyone has a lingual frenulum, the small fold of tissue that anchors the tongue to the floor of the mouth. In a tongue tie, the medical name is ankyloglossia, that band is shorter, thicker or attached closer to the tip of the tongue than usual. The tongue cannot lift, reach forward or move side to side as freely as it should.
A tongue tie is present from birth and tends to run in families. Ties range from mild to severe, and the size of the band does not always match the size of the problem. That is why the exam looks at how your tongue moves and functions, not only at how the tissue looks. Our earlier post on what a tongue tie is and how a dentist can help covers the background in more detail.
Signs a Tongue Tie May Be Causing Problems
A tongue tie is worth having checked when it shows up as one of these:
- Speech. Trouble with sounds that need the tongue tip to lift, such as t, d, n, l and th.
- Eating. Difficulty moving food around the mouth, slow eating or trouble licking the lips or an ice cream cone.
- Cleaning. The tongue cannot sweep food off the teeth, which can leave more plaque and raise the risk of cavities and gum problems.
- A gap or bite changes. A tight frenulum can pull on the gum behind the lower front teeth or affect how the tongue rests and pushes when you swallow.
- In adults. Some adults notice tension under the tongue, jaw or neck tightness, or that dentures or retainers do not sit well. These can have other causes, so the exam comes first.
A tongue that looks heart shaped when it sticks out, or that cannot touch the roof of the mouth with the mouth open, is a common visual clue.
What Is a Laser Frenectomy?
A frenectomy, sometimes called a frenotomy or a tongue tie release, frees the tongue by releasing the tight band of tissue. It has traditionally been done with scissors or a scalpel. A laser does the same job with focused light energy instead of a blade.
The laser dentistry approach has a few practical advantages for this procedure. The laser seals small blood vessels as it works, so there is little bleeding. It removes tissue precisely, a little at a time. And because the area is sealed, the release usually does not need stitches. The same technique can release a tight lip tie, the band that connects the upper lip to the gum above the front teeth.
What About Lip Ties?
A lip tie is the same idea at the front of the mouth. The labial frenulum connects the upper lip to the gum above the front teeth. When it is tight or attached low, it can pull on the gum, make brushing the front teeth harder or leave a gap between the front teeth. Lip ties and tongue ties often show up together, so Dr. Tummala checks both at the same exam. A lip tie release uses the same laser technique, with the same short visit and quick healing.
What Happens During a Laser Tongue Tie Release?
A release is a short procedure done in our office. Here is what the visit usually looks like:
- An exam first. Dr. Tummala looks at how far your tongue lifts and moves, asks about the problems you have noticed and checks your health history. If a release is unlikely to help, she will say so.
- Numbing. The area under the tongue is numbed with a local anesthetic. For nervous patients, oral sedation or nitrous oxide may be an option.
- The release. The laser frees the tight band of tissue. The treatment itself usually takes only a few minutes.
- Aftercare instructions. You leave with clear instructions for the healing period, including any gentle tongue stretches to do at home.
What Is Recovery Like After a Laser Frenectomy?
Most people go back to normal activities the same day. Expect the area under the tongue to feel sore for a few days. Soft foods and over-the-counter pain relief usually keep it manageable. The site typically heals over one to two weeks.
Stretching matters. As the tissue heals it can tighten again, so Dr. Tummala may give you simple exercises to keep the new range of motion. For speech or swallowing habits that formed around the tie, working with a speech therapist or myofunctional therapist afterward can help the tongue learn its new movement. A release gives the tongue room to move. Practice teaches it how.
Tongue Tie Release for Children and Adults
Tongue ties are often spotted in childhood, but plenty of adults only learn they have one when a dentist, a speech therapist or a family member points it out. Releasing a tie later in life is common and the procedure is the same.
For children, we look at speech, eating and how the tongue rests, and we explain what a release can and cannot change. If you are asking about a baby with feeding trouble, call us and tell us your child’s age and symptoms so we can talk through the next step with you. Our child dentistry page explains what a first visit with us is like.
Laser Tongue Tie Release Near Meyerland, Bellaire and Southwest Houston
Meyerland Family Dentistry is at 4455 N Braeswood Blvd, Suite 201, Houston, TX 77096. Families come to us for tongue tie release from Meyerland, Bellaire, Westbury, Willow Meadows and West University Place, and from across southwest Houston. As a family dentist, Dr. Tummala can see a parent and a child in the same visit.
If you want to know what else the laser is used for, our post on what changes when your dentist uses a laser walks through it. To have a tongue tie checked, call 713-723-7200 or request an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a laser tongue tie release hurt?
The area is numbed before the release, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain during it. Afterward, expect some soreness under the tongue for a few days. Soft foods and over-the-counter pain relief usually keep it comfortable.
Do I need stitches after a laser frenectomy?
Usually not. The laser seals small blood vessels as it works, so bleeding is minimal and the area is typically left to heal on its own. Dr. Tummala will tell you before the procedure if your case is different.
How long does it take to heal?
Most people are back to normal activities the same day, and the site typically heals over one to two weeks. Doing any stretches you are given during that time helps keep the tissue from tightening again.
Will releasing a tongue tie fix speech problems?
It can remove a physical limit on how the tongue moves, but it does not guarantee a change in speech on its own. Sounds that were learned around the tie often need practice with a speech therapist afterward. We will talk through what is realistic for you or your child at the exam.
Can adults have a tongue tie released?
Yes. Many adults find out they have a tongue tie later in life, and the laser procedure is the same. We look at how the tie affects you now before recommending anything.