01/04/2025
A wonderful read from the very talented Dr Donny from the Myofunctional centre. An important topic we help families navigate through the clinic is oral ties and what type of intervention provides the best possible outcomes for their little ones.
Here’s Dr Donny’s prospective…. 👏
NOT A SIMPLE SNIP
Understanding anatomy and healing physiology are the keys to achieving a more successful outcome from a procedure.
Every time I see a tongue tie that has been previously snipped, it’s usually not a complete release. Snipping cannot reach the deepest section of the tie that’s located under the base of the tongue and in between the muscle bundles.
Also important is the safety of the procedure. I’ve seen large blood vessels appearing in the middle of a tongue tie release procedure. Can you imagine if I snipped it?
Releasing a tongue tie needs to be approached from a functional perspective. The patients needs support to ensure associated restrictions around the body are also being loosened. This is because the tongue tie is part of the system. Fascia is connective tissue, like our inner skin, that covers and permeates through muscles and organs of our bodies. A skilled and knowledgeable bodyworker is able to manage postural fascial restrictions that may be associated with the tongue tie.
is also crucial in preparing the muscles of the mouth and face before the release procedure and to retrain these muscles after the completion of the release.
The healing process is also an important factor. If possible, I’d prefer healing by primary intention, closing the wound with sutures. For infants, placing sutures is almost impossible, so healing by secondary intention is usually required, with the parents exercising the muscles to guide the wound to heal better and not back to the original.
For the actual procedure itself, my preferred tool is an Erbium laser. I have two kinds: the Waterlase and the Fotona Lightwalker. These lasers release the tie gently, and with precision. I’m able to avoid damaging large blood vessels and reach the deepest sections of the tie.
Simply snipping a tongue tie is not providing the best opportunity for improving functions.
