Do you have a limited range of motion in your tongue? Has your speech been affected by this? Might you have a son or daughter who talks or speaks their words with difficulty. If so, this could be a condition known as tongue-tie. Tongue-tie is an irregularity present at birth in which a band of connective tissue under the tongue (also known as the lingual frenulum) is unusually tight, thick or short. While this is a fairly common condition that is easily remedied, putting off treatment can exacerbate a variety of other health issues.
At Millennium Dental Associates, our biological approach takes your entire body and medical history into account during diagnostic and treatment phases. In many cases, patients that come to us have endured illnesses and undesirable symptoms for years, decades or even their whole lives. Such patients are often relieved to find that the solution to their problem lies in assessing and attending to their oral health.
In the case of a tongue-tie, it’s truly incredible how much such a small band of tissue under the tongue can hinder a person’s potential. This condition creates a restriction in the fluid motion of the tongue that begins your swallow process. If this process is not working well, your body will be set up for problems throughout your lifetime. Here are a series of other issues a tongue-tie can cause:
With the right tool and treatment, the tongue-tie can be quickly remedied. The state-of-the-art technique of choice used today is laser surgery. While laser surgery may sound intimidating, it’s the least invasive and most precise choice. There’s no need for stitches or a general anesthetic. After the operation is over, the majority of patients experience very little pain or swelling. Most importantly, laser surgery has a very high success rate and is extremely safe.
NOTE** It is imperative that the tissues and muscles be conditioned prior to the procedure and up to a month following to help assure that the tissues remain unbound.
With a great option like tongue-tie laser surgery, there’s no reason to let a seemingly small issue like this continue to perpetuate bigger problems. Call us today to book your appointment @ 480-948-0560.
Includes a comprehensive exam, full set of x-rays and consultation! ($390 value!)