Lip and Tongue Ties


Dr. Horacek's (Uker)  clinical interest in lip and tongue ties stems from her personal experience. Her first son struggled with breastfeeding (and consequently, so did she), weight gain, fussiness, and poor, interrupted sleep. Despite being told by multiple professionals that her son “did not have a tongue or lip tie,” she had it revised when he was 10 days old. And everything changed! She is now committed to helping other families of infants who struggle with consequences of lip and tongue ties find answers and relief. We welcome baby's up to 9 months at our office for treatment (and on occasion up to 12 months).

What is a tongue tie?

A “tongue tie” is a congenital (present at birth) condition where the tongue is held down or “tied” into the floor of the mouth by a fibrous band of unnecessary tissue. It seems to run in families and is NOT diagnosed by sticking the tongue out as far as it can go. Tongue ties inhibit the tongue from lifting to the roof of the mouth, which is important for creating a seal for nasal breathing. A restricted tongue is also unable to swallow appropriately, cleanse the teeth from food particles or speak with clarity or without fatigue. A tongue tie can prevent the breastfeeding relationship between mother and child by causing unexplained, severe pain for the mother, inadequate milk removal from the breast, leaking milk, and significant air swallowing (and consequent infant “GERD”) but this also effects bottle fed babies too! If untreated, it can lead to speech difficulties, malocclusion, sleep apnea, unexplained decay, food texture intolerance, and chronic headaches, neck, and shoulder pain.

Tongue Tie Tongue Tie

There are several types of tongue ties:

  • Anterior Tongue Ties: Most obvious, usually present to the tip of the tongue.
  • Posterior Tongue Ties: Hidden under mucous lining of tongue or floor of the mouth. Identified when tongue is lifted and palpated for restriction.

All anterior tongue ties have a posterior component. Removing the anterior component won't correct the dysfunction.

What is a lip tie?

Tongue Tie Tongue Tie Tongue Tie

Almost everyone has a small piece of tissue that attaches the lip to the ridge. Those, however, that are short and tight and restrict movement are those that need attention and would be defined as a “lip tie”. For breastfeeding efficiency and proper latch, the upper lip must flange for suction and milk withdrawal. If untreated, this can cause decay of the front of baby teeth, gaping between permanent teeth (normal in baby teeth) and problems with the recession of gum tissue in adulthood.

What can be done?

At our office, we perform a tongue tie and lip tie releases (called frenectomies) using a laser. They are quick procedures (less than 5 minutes) that can be done with minimal discomfort, without sedation. The laser allows instant cauterization, or wound closure, so discomfort post-op is minimized. Most describe tenderness of the neck and under the chin muscles and a mild “pizza burn” sensation.

What could happen if I don't treat it?

Common long-term complications:

  • Delayed onset of speech
  • Speech Therapy for lisping, mumbling, trouble with certain sounds
  • Tired mouth or poor speech at the end of the day
  • Higher risk of decay
  • Difficulty swallowing or tolerating certain types of food
  • Strong gag-reflex
  • Headaches or chronic head, neck and back pain
  • Mouth breathing/Difficulty breathing through your nose
  • Sleep Apnea type problems: noisy breathing or snoring, chronically tired feeling upon waking
  • Recurrent ear, nose and throat infections
  • Clenching and Grinding

What are the risks with treatment?

There is a risk of bleeding with any surgical treatment in the mouth, however, this is minimized with use of laser. Please let the team at our office know if you or your child has any blood disorders. This is why we require infants less than 6 months to receive the Vitamin K shot. The biggest risk with treatment is that the site will reattach and need to be re-done.

What should I know before my or my child's appointment?

We prefer to do consultations and treatment the same day on infants. As we view treatment an urgent need, the sooner we can accomplish a needed revision, the better it is for baby and mom. For laser safety, during the procedure, you and your child will be separated. For breastfeeding moms, you will be encouraged to breastfeed afterward or bottle feeding moms, offer a bottle immediately after.  However, for aspiration risk, we require your infant to have an empty stomach prior to the procedure (2 hrs). Sometimes breastfeeding gets worse before it gets better...we strongly urge you to have an appointment scheduled with your lactation consultant post-procedure.

Post Op: Tongue Tie

Feel free to look at the following links before your appointment or print off and fill out the infant health history to save time in the office.

Tongue Tie Paperwork

Patient Consent Form

Financial Policy

Privacy Practice

Authorization Form

Infant Medical History

Notice of Privacy Forms

Mother-Infant Follow Up Form


Contact Us

Send Us an Email

Our Location

Find us on the map

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

7:00 am-12:00 pm

Friday:

7:00 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed