Tongue/Lip Tie &
Myofunctional
Therapy
Tongue-ties & Lip-Ties
Lip and tongue-ties can restrict jaw growth and prevent proper tongue function, leading to a potential increase of TMD and sleep apnea. A frenectomy releases tongue-ties and lip-ties to restore proper function. We treat all ages (newborns to adults) with the latest in CO2 laser technology, the DEKA laser, providing frenectomies with very little discomfort and no bleeding.
If your infant experiences…
- Difficulty latching during breastfeeding
- Trouble sucking and swallowing
Or you or your child experiences…
- Speech and eating difficulties
- Trouble sleeping
What is a tongue-tie?
Ankyloglossia, or tongue-tie, is the restriction of tongue movement because of the tongue adhering to the floor of the mouth. Normal tongue function allows a baby to latch adequately and breastfeed efficiently, promotes normal speech development, makes it possible for a child to self-cleanse the mouth during eating, allows adequate swallowing patterns, allows for proper growth and development. It also makes possible fun little things like eating ice cream, kissing, or sticking your tongue out to catch snowflakes.
What is a Lip-Tie?
A lip-tie occurs when the upper lip remains attached to the upper gum. It can lead to problems with speech and eating habits, jaw pain and protrusion, clicking jaws, difficulty kissing, licking lollipops or ice cream, a gap between teeth, pain with breastfeeding, and other oral health issues.
The Treatment:Laser Frenectomy
Modern technology allows us to use highly precise laser treatments to treat these common issues.
During a frenotomy, we use laser light to remove the frenum under the tongue or upper lip to allow for better range of motion. With very little discomfort and almost no bleeding, some babies and children sleep through the procedure. The laser sterilizes upon touch, reducing the chance of infection and stimulating healing.
Benefits of Laser Treatment
- No sedation needed
- Fast treatment
- Fast recovery – You can nurse right after treatment
- Decreased risk for infection
- Decreased risk of bleeding, swelling, discomfort
BreastfeedingSolutions
Helping Infants
An infant’s struggle with breastfeeding can often be solved by a lactation consultant or bodyworker helping with posture and latching. However, there are cases when a baby’s lip or tongue are tethered in a way that makes nursing painful or ineffective. In these instances, a release (Frenectomy) of their lip or tongue attachment (frenum) may be necessary.
Helping Mothers
A frenectomy can help mothers relieve the pain of breastfeeding and regain healthy nipples and breasts, stimulate milk production by adequate stimulation, encourage bonding with her baby, and ensure adequate feeding and growth of the baby.
Please contact our team today for a consultation and treatment.
MyofunctionalTherapy
Myofunctional Therapy is physical therapy focused on the muscles of the jaw, face, and tongue. Not only can it be used to guide proper facial and jaw development, but it is also helpful for sleep apnea. Our team of trained Myofunctional Therapists seek to help establish nasal breathing, create a proper lip seal, promote proper tongue posture, and produce correct swallowing.
Is your child a…
Picky eater
Thumb sucker
Mouth breather
Would you like your child to…
Feed better
Breathe freer
Speak clearer
Sleep deeper
Smile brighter
Welcome toOrofacial
Myofunctional
Therapy
Facial and oral muscle disorders can cause children to experience issues with chewing, swallowing, speech, sleep, breathing, breastfeeding, teeth alignment, facial development, and more. Myofunctional Therapy helps effectively retrain a child’s orofacial muscles to correct and relieve functional issues while also enhancing their facial appearance.
Common Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs)
Thumb, finger, and tongue sucking
Improper tongue resting placement or thrusting
Drooling beyond suitable age
Swallowing and Speech difficulties
Orafacial hypersensitivity
Common OMD Causes
Airway disruption
Prolonged sucking habit
Tethered oral tissues (tongue-tie, lip-tie)
Untreated OMD Concerns
Mouth breathing
Growth and development issues
Dental malocclusion
Speech, Swallowing, TMJ disorders
Sleep apnea
ChildhoodBeginnings
When infants are unable to breastfeed appropriately, it leads to swallowing issues. These concerns result in children being labeled as picky eaters when the issue is actually a myofunctional problem.
Untreated Myofunctional Concerns
Without treatment, speech difficulties typically arise around the age of 2. By age 5, these children with untreated myofunctional issues experience malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth) and future orthodontic challenges. When they reach their teen years, most of the facial growth is complete, meaning the shape of the face will remain even with orthodontic intervention at that time.
Early Intervention Makes the Difference
Oral habits in growing children determine teeth, face, jaw, and airway development. Correcting poor habits early can transform a child’s present and future oral health. Through physical therapy of the oral musculature, myofunctional intervention remedies poor muscle function that would inevitably lead to diminished airway, concerning facial growth patterns, and misaligned teeth.
MyofunctionalTherapy
Ensure nasal breathing
Nasal breathing leads to a relaxation response as it cleans, warms, and humidifies the air. Open mouth breathing results in a facial growth pattern often seen in long-faced children with allergic shiners.
Fix resting tongue placement
Tongue placement is critical to myofunctional therapy. When the tongue rests away from its proper position, it often results in facial development issues and bite concerns.
Retrain proper swallowing
Retraining a child’s brain to engage in proper swallowing may take up to a year of therapy, but it is essential to help them with healthy development.
Complimentary Assessment
If you have any concerns with your child’s development, please contact our team for a complimentary assessment.
Connect WITH US
We look forward to meeting you. Call (772) 463-4026 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.
