Myofunctional Therapy Before and After Tongue Tie Release

Tongue tie is a potentially serious problem that can affect speech, airway development, facial appearance, and more. We often help patients, from infants to adults, cope with this problem by performing a frenectomy, otherwise known as tongue tie release in Southlake. If you are considering getting a frenectomy, either for yourself or your child, it is important that you understand how myofunctional therapy may play a role in the overall treatment process.

Myofunctional Therapy and Tongue Tie Release

Basically, myofunctional therapy is physical therapy that is exclusive to the face and oral structures. It involves exercises that train the orofacial muscles to work harmoniously together. It thereby promotes a proper bite, easy breathing, and correct facial posture. It offers both health benefits and aesthetic advantages.

Myofunctional therapy is often necessary both before and after a frenectomy. It helps patients to conquer bad habits and poor posture that were the result of their tongue tie. For example, it may encourage nose breathing rather than mouth breathing.

Myofunctional Therapy Before a Frenectomy

If you are thinking about undergoing a frenectomy, your treatment process should begin with a consultation with Dr. Thomas. She will assess the severity of your tongue tie and the symptoms it is causing. Rather than performing a frenectomy right away, she might refer you to a local myofunctional therapy expert.

During your myofunctional therapy sessions, your therapist will use a variety of techniques to strengthen your tongue and train the surrounding muscles. Complying with your treatment and performing your prescribed exercises at home may provide some relief from your tongue tie symptoms even before you undergo your frenectomy.

Myofunctional Therapy After a Frenectomy

After your tongue tie is released, further therapy might be necessary to help your tongue and mouth achieve proper function. Your myofunctional exercises may be designed to continue to strengthen your tongue, encourage proper swallowing, and more.

In addition to typical myofunctional therapy, you may need other types of help to fully recover from tongue tie. For example, some people require orthodontics to correct any dental misalignment that was caused by improper tongue positioning. In some instances, speech therapy is also recommended.

How Long Does the Therapy Take?

In most cases, a myofunctional therapy session takes less than an hour. The number of sessions you need before and after your frenectomy, as well as the frequency of your sessions, will depend on your unique circumstances. In many cases, a bare minimum of a few months of therapy are necessary to achieve optimum results.

A frenectomy usually takes just a few minutes, but full recovery from tongue tie may take several months. The time you invest in myofunctional therapy will be well worth it!

Meet the Dentist

Dr. Preetha Thomas is a holistic dentist in Southlake who offers a broad range of services, including frenectomies with the use of a minimally invasive soft tissue laser. She partners with local myofunctional therapists to provide comprehensive tongue tie treatment. If you would like to learn more about tongue tie and how it can be addressed, contact Enclave Dental at 817-912-1218.