Question 1

What is a tongue tie and how do I know if my child has one?

Accepted Answer

A tongue tie – also called ankyloglossia – is a congenital condition where a band of tissue called the lingual frenum restricts the tongue’s range of motion. It is present from birth and ranges widely in severity, from a barely visible restriction to a complete tethering of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Many tongue ties are not obvious on visual inspection, particularly posterior tongue ties, which lie further back and are only identifiable through functional assessment. At Airway Dental & More in Jacksonville, we evaluate tongue ties based on what the tongue can and cannot do – not just on what the frenum looks like. Signs in infants include feeding difficulty, poor latch, clicking sounds during nursing, and poor weight gain. Signs in children include speech delays, mouth breathing, narrow dental arches, and crowded teeth. Signs in adults include chronic jaw and neck tension, speech difficulties, and poor sleep. If you suspect a tongue tie at any age, we recommend scheduling an evaluation rather than waiting to see if symptoms resolve on their own.

Question 2

What is a laser frenectomy and how is it different from traditional tongue tie release?

Accepted Answer

A laser frenectomy uses focused soft-tissue laser energy to release the restrictive frenum rather than scissors or a scalpel. At Airway Dental & More in Jacksonville, we use laser as our preferred technique because it offers several meaningful advantages over traditional methods. The laser is precise, which allows for a complete and controlled release of the tissue along its full functional extent. It produces minimal to no bleeding during the procedure, which is especially beneficial for infant patients. The laser simultaneously sterilizes the treatment site as it works, reducing infection risk. Recovery is typically more comfortable than after scissor-based releases, and healing tends to be faster. The procedure itself is brief – most releases are completed in under fifteen minutes – and infants can usually resume feeding shortly afterward. For infants, only a topical numbing agent is needed. For older children and adults, a local anesthetic is used to ensure full comfort throughout.

Question 3

How long is the recovery after a tongue tie release?

Accepted Answer

Recovery after laser frenectomy at Airway Dental & More is generally straightforward and well-tolerated across all ages. In the first day or two, the treatment site will appear white or yellowish – this is a normal part of healing and not a sign of infection. Mild discomfort is common and typically manageable with appropriate over-the-counter pain relief. Infants can usually return to feeding the same day. For children and adults, post-operative stretching exercises begin within the first 24 hours and continue for several weeks. These exercises are a critical part of recovery because they prevent the tissue from reattaching during the initial healing phase. Most surface healing is complete by the end of the first month. Full functional healing – including the tongue adapting to its new range of motion and building proper muscle habits – continues over a longer period, particularly for patients who are participating in myofunctional therapy alongside their recovery.

Question 4

Does my infant need a tongue tie release, or will it resolve on its own?

Accepted Answer

This is one of the most common questions Jacksonville families bring to us, and the answer depends on whether the tie is causing meaningful functional impairment. Some tongue ties are mild and do not significantly affect feeding, development, or breathing. Others are causing real harm in the form of nursing difficulties, poor weight gain, or downstream developmental consequences. At Airway Dental & More, we do not recommend treatment unless a thorough assessment indicates that the restriction is creating functional problems that outweigh the straightforward risks of the procedure. We also coordinate with lactation consultants and pediatricians when appropriate so that our evaluation is informed by the full clinical picture. If a release is indicated, the laser procedure is brief, well-tolerated even in newborns, and produces benefits that extend well beyond the feeding relationship – including better jaw development, improved airway function, and reduced risk of the speech and structural problems that untreated ties create over time.

Question 5

Why is myofunctional therapy recommended alongside a frenectomy?

Accepted Answer

A frenectomy removes the structural barrier that was restricting the tongue. Myofunctional therapy addresses the compensatory muscle habits that developed because of that restriction – and without that retraining, the tongue often continues to function as if the tie were still there. For patients who have had a tongue tie for months or years, the muscles of the tongue, lips, and throat have adapted around the restriction. The tongue rests incorrectly, swallowing happens with a thrust rather than an upward press, and breathing patterns may have defaulted to mouth breathing. Removing the frenum does not automatically correct these patterns. Myofunctional therapy at Airway Dental & More provides the structured retraining that converts a structural release into a genuine functional improvement. For children, it supports better palate development and orthodontic stability. For adults, it improves tongue posture, airway function, and sleep quality in ways that the frenectomy alone cannot achieve. We build myofunctional therapy into our protocol for every tongue tie patient who can participate – because the release is the beginning, not the end.

Keep Your Smile Healthy with a Dental Cleaning

Tongue & Lip Tie

Understanding Tongue & Lip Ties

Spotting the Signs

Infants

Children

Adults

What Happens if Left Untreated?

Our Comprehensive Treatment Approach

Laser Frenectomy

Recovery & Healing

Myofunctional Therapy

Airway-Focused Evaluation

Ongoing Support

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tongue tie and how do I know if my child has one?

What is a laser frenectomy and how is it different from traditional tongue tie release?

How long is the recovery after a tongue tie release?

Does my infant need a tongue tie release, or will it resolve on its own?

Why is myofunctional therapy recommended alongside a frenectomy?