Tongue Tie Release: Frenectomy Techniques and What to Expect
A tongue tie is a physical condition that limits how freely the tongue can move. For some patients it causes feeding difficulties in infancy. For others it affects speech development, swallowing, or jaw function later in life. The treatment is called a frenectomy, and an experienced dental team can perform it with minimal disruption to the patient. At Appleby Dental Professionals in Burlington, we walk patients and families through every step before anything begins. This guide explains what tongue tie is, how dentists treat it, and what recovery looks like.
What Is a Tongue Tie?
The frenulum is a small band of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. In most people, this tissue is flexible and sits far enough back that the tongue moves freely in all directions.
In some individuals, the frenulum is shorter, thicker, or attached too close to the tip of the tongue. This limits range of motion in ways that can cause real functional problems. The clinical term is ankyloglossia, but most people simply call it a tongue tie.
Tongue tie can affect infants who struggle to latch during breastfeeding, toddlers and children developing speech patterns, and adults experiencing tension or restricted movement. Many cases go undiagnosed for years because the restriction is not always immediately visible.
How Dentists Diagnose Tongue Tie
Diagnosis begins with a clinical assessment. For infants, this often involves a feeding evaluation, sometimes alongside a lactation consultant or speech language pathologist. For older children and adults, the dental team focuses on tongue range of motion, the ability to lift the tongue to the roof of the mouth, and whether restrictions are affecting speech or swallowing.
Several classification systems exist to grade tongue tie severity based on frenulum attachment position and degree of restriction. A thorough consultation at Appleby Dental Professionals will determine whether a frenectomy is appropriate and which technique best suits the patient’s age, anatomy, and specific needs.
Frenectomy Techniques: Laser vs. Traditional Methods
Two primary approaches exist for tongue tie release. Each carries its own advantages depending on the clinical situation and the patient being treated.
Traditional Frenectomy Using Scissors or Scalpel
The conventional approach uses sterile scissors or a scalpel to cut the frenulum and release the restriction. The dental team administers local anaesthesia to numb the area before making the incision. In newborns, the procedure often requires only topical anaesthesia or a brief local injection, as the frenulum in infants has minimal blood supply and limited nerve endings.
The release is immediate and precise. The dentist may place dissolvable sutures to close the incision and support healing, depending on the extent of the release. The procedure itself takes only a few minutes once the area is fully numb.
Traditional frenectomy is well-established, widely practised, and highly effective. It remains a reliable option for patients of all ages, particularly when the tissue is thicker or the release needs to be more extensive.
Laser Frenectomy
Laser frenectomy uses a soft tissue dental laser to release the frenulum with precision. The laser vaporizes the tissue while simultaneously sealing blood vessels, which significantly reduces bleeding during and after the procedure. Most cases do not require sutures.
Less bleeding improves visibility during the procedure and reduces post-operative discomfort. The laser also sterilizes the surrounding tissue during treatment, which lowers infection risk at the site. Many patients, particularly infants and young children, experience a faster and more comfortable recovery with laser treatment compared to conventional methods.
For parents of infants being treated for feeding difficulties, the ability to breastfeed shortly after a laser frenectomy is a significant benefit. Many babies can latch and feed within minutes of the procedure completing. Your dental team at Appleby Dental Professionals will discuss which approach suits your situation best during the consultation.
What Patients Can Expect During the Procedure
Knowing what happens during the appointment helps reduce anxiety for patients and parents alike. Regardless of technique, the procedure follows a consistent sequence.
The dental team numbs the area first. For infants, this is brief and causes minimal distress. Older children and adults receive a standard local anaesthetic, and the team tests the area for complete numbness before beginning.
The release itself takes only a few minutes. Your dentist identifies the frenulum attachment, completes the release, and confirms that tongue movement has improved. Gauze manages any light bleeding at the site. Any sutures placed will dissolve on their own and need no removal.
For infants, a parent or support person holds the baby securely during the procedure. Most infants settle quickly afterward, especially once feeding begins. Older children and adults find the experience comparable to any minor oral procedure, and most are genuinely surprised by how quickly it concludes.
Healing and Post-Operative Care After Tongue Tie Release
Recovery after a frenectomy is generally quick, but the aftercare period plays a critical role. Following your dental team’s instructions carefully supports proper healing and helps prevent the tissue from reattaching.
Wound Stretching Exercises
Wound exercises rank among the most important parts of aftercare, particularly following laser frenectomy. Keeping the release site open and flexible during healing prevents the tissue from healing down and partially reattaching, which would reduce the effectiveness of the procedure.
Your dental team will demonstrate the exercises before you leave the appointment. For infants, a parent gently lifts the tongue with a clean finger several times daily. Older children and adults perform deliberate tongue stretching and movement at the release site. Most patients complete exercises four to six times per day for three to four weeks.
Managing Discomfort
Mild soreness after a tongue tie release is expected, especially in the first 24 to 48 hours. For infants, discomfort typically resolves quickly once feeding re-establishes. Older children and adults manage soreness well with over-the-counter options such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Your dentist will recommend the appropriate choice based on the patient’s age and health history.
What the Healing Site Looks Like
A white or yellowish patch develops at the release site as it heals. This is normal granulation tissue and carries no sign of infection. It typically clears within one to two weeks. Knowing this in advance prevents unnecessary concern when patients or parents notice it at home.
Contact Appleby Dental Professionals if pain worsens after the second day rather than improving, if swelling increases, if fever develops, or if the site appears actively infected rather than simply healing.
Follow-Up Appointment
A follow-up visit lets your dental team confirm that the release site is healing well and that tongue movement has improved as expected. For infants, the appointment also covers feeding progress and whether additional support from a lactation consultant or therapist would help. Older patients sometimes benefit from myofunctional therapy or speech therapy alongside the procedure to retrain tongue movement patterns that developed as a result of the restriction.
Who Is a Candidate for Tongue Tie Release
Frenectomy is not the right recommendation for every patient with a frenulum attachment. Functional problems significant enough to justify treatment are the deciding factor. For infants with feeding difficulties, strong evidence supports early release. For older children with speech concerns, a combined assessment involving the dental team and a speech language pathologist guides the decision. Adults base the decision on their symptoms and individual goals.
A consultation is the right starting point if you are unsure whether tongue tie is affecting you or your child. No obligation to proceed exists at that stage, and the assessment itself provides valuable clarity.
Book a Tongue Tie Consultation in Burlington
Appleby Dental Professionals is located at 4300 Upper Middle Road, Unit 1 in Burlington, Ontario, and welcomes patients of all ages for tongue tie assessments and frenectomy procedures. Our team explains all available options clearly and ensures every patient and family feels informed before treatment begins.
Call us at 905-331-7654 or email reception@applebydental.ca to book your consultation. Whether you are a new parent concerned about infant feeding or an adult exploring a long-standing tongue function issue, we are here to help you move forward with confidence.