Basic Facts about Ankyloglossia and Laser Tongue Tie Surgery
Ankyloglossia, popularly known as tongue tie, is a condition that can cause difficulty with eating, speaking, and swallowing. This condition happens when the tissue that connects your tongue to the bottom part of the mouth is too short or tight, making it difficult to move the tongue.
Tongue tie laser surgery is a new procedure that can help people with tongue ties. The surgery involves using a laser to remove the tissue causing the tongue tie. It can help improve the tongue’s function and make eating, speaking, and swallowing easier.
If you are struggling with ankyloglossia or tongue tie, you may wonder if there is any hope for relief. The good news is your dentist can perform laser tongue tie surgery to help improve your condition.
A Quick Background
The frenulum is the tissue band connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth. This small strip of tissue plays a vital role in speech and eating.
The frenulum acts as a stabilizer for the tongue, keeping it anchored in place. It also helps the tongue move when speaking or eating smoothly. When the frenulum is damaged or missing, the tongue can become weak and floppy. It can make it difficult to speak clearly or eat correctly.
Trauma can damage this tissue by biting or sucking on the tongue. It can also be affected by certain medical conditions, such as cleft palate. In some cases, the frenulum may be too short or tight, which can restrict the movement of the tongue. This condition is called ankyloglossia or tongue tie.
If the frenulum is damaged or missing, the remedy depends on the severity of the condition. Surgery, such as the laser tongue tie, may sometimes be necessary to repair or replace the frenulum. In other cases, speech therapy or orthodontic treatment may be recommended.
Making the Vital Decision
The doctor often diagnoses the tongue tie condition shortly after delivery. It is because a healthcare provider can easily spot the disease during a baby’s first few days. Tongue tie can cause feeding difficulties for a baby and can also interfere with their speech development later in life.
While tongue tie is a fairly common condition, it is critical to seek treatment for it as soon as possible. If you think your baby might have this, talk to their healthcare provider about it.
Considering this can interfere with breastfeeding, the baby may not be able to latch on properly. Some doctors may recommend treating tongue-tie before the baby goes home from the hospital to make breastfeeding easier.
Ask Questions
If you are a parent considering laser tongue tie surgery for your child, it is prudent to consult a dentist first. He can evaluate your child’s case and recommend whether or not the procedure is correct for them.
This procedure is a quick and relatively painless way to correct ankyloglossia. It involves using a laser to make a small incision in the tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. This surgery releases the tongue, allowing it to move more freely.
The procedure is usually performed on infants and young children but can also be done on older children and adults. Recovery is typically quick, with most people returning to normal within a few days.
Conclusion
The laser tongue tie procedure is a quick and effective way to treat tongue tie. It is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed in the office with minimal discomfort. Most insurance plans cover the treatment.
If you suspect your child has ankyloglossia, you should consult Lexington Smile Studio. We offer laser tongue tie surgery for adults and kids. So, schedule an appointment now!
