Adult Tongue Tie Surgery at Town Hall Dental
What Is Tongue Tie?
Tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, is a condition where the frenulum—the small piece of tissue that connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth—is too short or tight, restricting tongue movement. While often diagnosed in childhood, some individuals do not discover or address their tongue tie until adulthood. This condition can lead to a variety of issues, including speech difficulties, dental problems, and challenges with oral hygiene.
Symptoms of Tongue Tie in Adults
Adults with tongue tie may experience a range of symptoms, including:
- Difficulty with speech articulation, particularly with sounds like “r,” “l,” “t,” “d,” “z,” and “th.”
- Problems with eating, such as difficulty licking or moving food around the mouth.
- Dental issues due to improper tongue positioning, which can affect oral hygiene and lead to gum disease or tooth decay.
- Jaw pain, tension, or discomfort, often related to compensatory muscle use.
- A persistent feeling of restriction or tightness under the tongue.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you may benefit from a consultation with the experts at Town Hall Dental.
Benefits of Adult Tongue Tie Surgery
Improved Speech
For adults who struggle with speech clarity, tongue tie surgery can significantly improve articulation, making communication easier and more effective.
Enhanced Oral Hygiene
A tongue tie can limit the tongue’s ability to clean the mouth properly, leading to plaque buildup and an increased risk of gum disease. Surgery can help restore proper tongue function, making it easier to maintain good oral hygiene.
Relief from Oral Discomfort
Chronic jaw pain, tension, or discomfort associated with a tongue tie can be alleviated through surgery. By releasing the tight frenulum, patients often experience relief from these symptoms.
Better Quality of Life
Resolving a tongue tie can lead to an overall improvement in quality of life, including easier eating, better oral health, and enhanced self-confidence due to improved speech and comfort.
The Tongue Tie Surgery Procedure
At Town Hall Dental, we offer a straightforward and minimally invasive procedure called a frenectomy to treat tongue tie. This procedure can be performed using either a laser or traditional surgical methods, depending on the specific needs of the patient.
Laser Frenectomy:
Using advanced laser technology, we can perform the procedure with precision, minimal discomfort, and a faster recovery time. The laser gently releases the frenulum, improving tongue mobility instantly.
Traditional Frenectomy:
In some cases, a traditional surgical approach using sterile scissors may be preferred. This method is quick, effective, and performed under local anesthesia to ensure your comfort.
What to Expect During and After the Procedure
Tongue tie surgery at Town Hall Dental is typically completed in less than 30 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home the same day. The procedure involves minimal discomfort, and most patients are able to resume normal activities shortly afterward.
Post-Surgery Care:
After the procedure, we will provide you with detailed instructions for post-operative care. This may include gentle tongue exercises to promote healing and prevent reattachment of the frenulum. Most patients experience a swift recovery, with significant improvement in symptoms within a few days to weeks.
Why Choose Town Hall Dental for Adult Tongue Tie Surgery?
At Town Hall Dental, we are committed to providing the highest standard of care for our patients. Our team of experienced professionals uses the latest technology and techniques to ensure that your procedure is as comfortable and effective as possible.
We understand the impact that tongue tie can have on your daily life and are here to support you through every step of the treatment process. From the initial consultation to post-operative care, our goal is to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Your Premier Tongue Tie Surgeon: Town Hall Dental
Tongue Tie Treatment may involve a frenotomy or frenuloplasty, where the frenulum (the tissue causing the restriction) is clipped or surgically altered to allow for more significant tongue movement. This can address dental issues related to tongue tie by improving oral function and hygiene. If you’re concerned about how tongue tie might affect dental health, it’s essential to consult with The Town Hall Dental, a Specialist dentist & oral surgeon. We are here to evaluate the situation and recommend appropriate treatment options. So call us today at 01484 723788 to untangle your speech with precision!
Schedule a Consultation
If you believe you may benefit from adult tongue tie surgery, contact Town Hall Dental today to schedule a consultation. Our team is here to answer any questions you may have and to guide you through the process of improving your oral health and quality of life.
- Trouble latching on or staying attached to your breast
- Feeding for a long time, having a short break, then feeding again.
- Being unsettled and seeming hungry all the time
Tongue tie can sometimes cause problems such as speech difficulties, difficulty eating certain foods and difficulty cleaning teeth. Some other issues are appearance-related, such as a wide gap between the bottom two front teeth or a V-shaped notch at the end of the tongue.
It is possible that latching will be a struggle at first since we would use a small amount of anaesthetic to complete the whole procedure. The numbness will wear off about 30 to 45 minutes afterwards, so do not be alarmed if latching is difficult at first.
Tongue ties can vary in severity and include what we call a “posterior tongue tie”, which may require a few weeks of practice before you see the benefits of the frenectomy.
We recommend being thorough with the prescribed post-treatment exercises and working with a lactation consultant and an osteopath to achieve optimal results and avoid reattachment.
Complete the form or call us to arrange your appointment.
We treat from newborns to teenagers and even adults at our Town Hall Dental clinic for mums and dads.
Tongue-tie typically affects baby boys more often than girls.
Tongue-tie is not the only cause for breastfeeding difficulty.
Sometimes, tongue tie does not cause speech delay, but it can affect a child’s speech articulation—the ability to form sounds & pronounce words.
Tongue-tie diagnoses are increasing as breastfeeding becomes more commonplace.
We treat from newborns to teenagers and even adults at our Town Hall Dental clinic for mums and dads.
Book your consultation online here, and we’ll follow up with a questionnaire and consent pack.
Complete tissue healing takes 6 weeks, but patients will feel their normal selves within 3-5 days. That means they may be uncomfortable or sensitive for a few days after their Ankyloglossia Treatment.
When massaging, one drop of Vitamin E oil on the treated area can help the healing.
Do NOT exceed 6 hours between stretches; you do not need to wake your child to complete the exercises overnight.
With successful exercises and the efficiency of the laser, re-attachments are very rare. If they do occur, however, the surgeon will notify you, and we may re-release them at your review appointment. We may also ask you to come back after the healing is complete and then re-release them!