Columbia, SC Tongue Tie Correction

When your child is born, he or she should be evaluated for tongue tie and lip tie. If your child has either of these conditions, it’s important to have them treated early to improve your child’s ability to breastfeed—and your breastfeeding comfort. Even if your child is able to breastfeed successfully, tongue tie and lip tie can be associated with a bad bite, even TMJ. A procedure called a frenectomy can help.

If your doctor found your child has tongue tie or lip tie, or if you aren’t sure your child was evaluated, please call (803) 781-9090 or email Smile Columbia Dentistry in Columbia, SC today.

If you’ve already decided that your child needs a lip or tongue tie revision, here’s everything you can expect before, during, and after the tongue tie procedure.

Additionally, we have a list of Frequently Asked Questions that can likely address most of your concerns.

Understanding Tongue Tie and Lip Tie

During development, our tongue and lips are connected to other tissue in the mouth by membranes called frenula (singular frenulum). These are supposed to thin and disappear by birth, but in about 4-10% of children, this doesn’t occur for the tongue and/or lip. This leaves the tongue and/or lip connected.

If the tongue is connected, it is called ankyglossia or tongue tie. If the upper lip is connected, it is generally called just lip tie, although it is technically known as tied maxillary fraenum, although there is a parallel term, ankylabia, that is rarely used.

Effects of Tongue Tie and Lip Tie Beyond Breastfeeding

Even if a child with tongue tie or lip tie is able to successfully breastfeed, he or she may still benefit from tongue tie surgery.

Lip tie has been associated with an increased risk of cavities in breastfeeding infants. Both lip tie and tongue tie have been associated with a poor bite (malocclusion) that may contribute to TMJ.

Tongue Tie Surgery (Frenectomy)

Both tongue and lip tie can be treated in quick procedures that are so painless, they don’t even require anesthesia. Dr. Adam Hahn removes the extra frenulum tissue that connects the tongue or lip with a laser, what is called a frenectomy, which is also commonly known as tongue tie surgery. Read our comprehensive page of resources about What to Expect Before, During, and After Tongue Tie Revision and more information.

Follow-up care focuses on making sure the disconnected tissue does not reconnect.

If your child has been diagnosed with ankyglossia and needs tongue tie surgery, or if you suspect tongue tie or lip tie, we can help. Please call (803) 781-9090 or contact Smile Columbia Dentistry today to schedule a full evaluation of your child’s lip or tongue at our Columbia, SC office.