Asheville periodontist Dr. Jody Harrison offers comprehensive solutions for patients with a lip or tongue tie. He will perform a comprehensive exam to determine the underlying cause of your dental concerns and build a treatment plan tailored to your unique dental needs.
What Causes Tongue-Tie?
There are a variety of causes for a tongue-tie, but there are three common reasons: Either the frenulum is too short, too tight, or it is attached to the tongue tip. Tongue-ties can affect babies, children, and adults. In some cases, tongue-tie may correct itself; however, it is important to undergo a full evaluation to determine if treatment is needed.
Common Symptoms of Tongue-Tie
The symptoms of tongue-tie can include:
- the tongue can’t move out past the lips
- the front teeth in the lower part of the jaw may have a gap between them
- the tongue tip is incapable of reaching the roof of the mouth
- the tongue cannot reach the corner of the mouth
- the tongue tip may look strained when attempting to extend
- a baby with tongue-tie may have complications breastfeeding or bottle-feeding
The Importance of Correcting Tongue-Tie
There are several reasons patients may need corrective treatment for tongue-tie. A dysfunctional frenulum can interfere with your daily activity and lead to issues with speech development, poor oral hygiene, difficulty breastfeeding, and issues with common oral functions.
How To Treat Tongue-Tie?
Dr. Harrison offers treatment for tongue-tie in our Asheville, NC dentist office. The most common way to treat tongue is by undergoing a frenectomy. A frenectomy is a surgical procedure that removes or releases the frenum. This treatment is typically completed in one visit to our Asheville periodontist office using laser dentistry. Available for patients of all ages, laser dentistry makes treating a tongue or lip ties relatively painless, quick and effective with minimal discomfort or downtime. Laser dentistry also promotes quicker healing and eliminates the need for sutures.
Request A Consultation
If you would like to explore the treatment options for tongue-tie, schedule an appointment with Dr. Harrison. After a thorough evaluation, Dr. Harrison and our dental team will recommend the best solution for your dental health needs. To schedule an appointment, call (828) 255-8100 or request an appointment online.