Advanced diagnostics and expertise supports prompt, effective care of tongue tie early in childhood

With “Tongue ties,” the tissue (“frenulum”) that ties or anchors the tongue to the floor of the mouth is constrained. In turn, various “basic” functions are adversely affected because the tongue cannot move freely or naturally. As an experienced practitioner in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting craniofacial structures, Dr. Ramsin K. Davoud understands how tongue ties manifest differently. From our office in Turlock, California, Dr. Davoud first understands the nature of the tongue tie that may interfere with your child’s healthy development. Accurate diagnosis informs appropriate, effective treatment. 

Types of tongue tie 

The frenulum or tongue tie may be overly thicker, short, or tight, or this tissue can be connected at the wrong place underneath the tongue. Additionally, while tongue tie is a congenital condition (present at birth), adults may have a tongue tie and not realize it. Tongue tie can go untreated depending on the nature and severity of the condition. Adults may develop damaging compensatory behaviors due to untreated tongue ties. 

Tongue ties are “graded” in one of four “types”:

• Type 1 refers to thinner frenula with great elasticity. The tongue may be anchored at its tip to the ridge behind the teeth in the lower jaw. This is known as the “classic” tongue tie
• Type 2 is also rooted in thin, highly elastic frenula; however, the tongue may be tied a few millimeters (no more than one-tenth of an inch) from its tip to the floor of the mouth
• Type 3 represents thicker, stiffer frenula, which are anchored to the floor of the mouth at the mid-underside of the tongue
• Type 4 refers to the posterior frenula. This tongue tie is not visible. One may feel the tongue tie as tight fibers under the mucosal membranes of the tongue. There may also be a characteristic shiny or thick appearance to the surface of the lower jaw

Since some of these tongue ties are harder to diagnose than others, it is critical to trust your child’s diagnostics to a leader in treating craniofacial anomalies, including tongue ties. Accurate diagnostics inform effective treatment and resolution of symptoms, which can have dire consequences for your child’s overall early development. For instance, by promptly addressing the tongue tie early in childhood, Dr. Davoud resolves problems with “latching” or proper breastfeeding. The inability to get proper nutrients can lead to failure to thrive and weight loss or plateauing gains in weight during these formative weeks and months of life. 

Depending on what Dr. Davoud determines, a frenotomy may be in order. This straightforward process involves quickly and painlessly snipping the troublesome tissue. It can typically be done without needing a localized or numbing anesthetic. 

Alternately, frenuloplasty may be on the horizon. This process releases the frenulum and may be appropriate for those patients whose frenulum is too thick or for those who are not good candidates for the frenotomy procedure. 

As with all procedures at the office of Ramsin K. Davoud DDS in Turlock, CA, treatment of tongue ties starts with a thorough and trusted evaluation. Call (209) 690-8051 to schedule your visit today.

Our mouths are unique, and the tongue is one of the strongest muscles in the body. That being said, when the tongue cannot move fully or move properly, it can cause a whole range of problems. Tongue ties affect more than just babies, and for those looking to learn about the types of tongue-tie in Turlock, CA, Dr. Ramsin Davoud with the Ramsin K. Davoud DDS team can help.

What is a Tongue Tie?

Just below the tongue is a piece of tissue known as the lingual frenula. This piece of tissue helps the tongue move to facilitate speech, eating, and more. When this piece of tissue is thicker or shorter than it should be, this is referred to as a tongue-tie. That means that the tongue cannot move as freely as it should be able to and that it is harder for the tongue to move, which may impede speech or eating.

Types of Tongue-Tie

• Type I
• Type II

The most common types of tongue-tie are type I and type II. A tongue-tie means how far forward the tongue is and where it is positioned in the mouth. With a tongue tie type I, the tongue is anchored right behind the front teeth and does not move much. With type II, the tongue is anchored two to four millimeters from the teeth. Either type does inhibit the tongue’s movement and its ability to do the job it was designed to do.

In many cases, tongue ties are diagnosed and remedied early in life, often in babies with trouble eating or nursing. The treatment for a tongue tie is to clip it, either with a laser or with other means, and to make sure that it does not reattach. That frees up the tongue and makes it possible for it to move freely without being anchored to the bottom of the mouth. If you have a baby with a tongue-tie, you will be referred to a dentist most of the time to have it repaired.

For those looking for tongue-tie treatment in the Turlock CA area, Ramsin K. Davoud DDS can help you get your tongue-tie taken care of quickly and easily. Call [phone_no] today to set up an appointment and to see what can be done for you.

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