Do You Really Need Tongue-Tie Surgery?! Timing and Procedure

Do you really need tongue-tie surgery?! Timing and procedure

Hello. Are you struggling with speech problems? The short muscle under the tongue, called the lingual frenulum, may be the cause. Have you heard of tongue-tie surgery? Today, let’s take a look at what tongue-tie surgery is, when it is needed, and what to keep in mind after the procedure.

What is ankyloglossia?

Ankyloglossia is a condition in which the lingual frenulum, which connects the underside of the tongue to the palate, is abnormally short or tight, limiting tongue movement. As a result, certain sounds may be difficult to pronounce, and there may be problems with sucking and swallowing food.

It is especially common in infants and young children, but adults who did not receive treatment at an appropriate time can also suffer from this issue.

Not everyone with ankyloglossia needs surgery, and an accurate diagnosis is important.

After diagnosis, the appropriate treatment method is determined according to the severity of each person’s symptoms. If it does not cause major inconvenience in daily life, non-surgical methods can also be considered.

What is tongue-tie surgery?

Tongue-tie surgery is an operation to correct the thin membrane under the tongue, known as the lingual frenulum. The lingual frenulum can restrict tongue movement, which may cause difficulties with speaking or eating. Through surgery, the frenulum is cut or adjusted to expand the range of tongue movement. However, this surgery does not lengthen the tongue. The tongue’s natural length does not change; rather, it frees the tongue from being held back by the frenulum.

Cases in which tongue-tie surgery is needed

There are several cases in which tongue-tie surgery is needed. First, when there are speech problems. If the tongue cannot move sufficiently, it may be difficult to produce certain sounds. In particular, in children, it can affect speech development. Surgery may also be needed if eating is difficult. If the tongue cannot move freely, chewing or swallowing food may become difficult.

Is surgery absolutely necessary?

The need for tongue-tie surgery is determined by comprehensively considering the severity of the symptoms and their impact on daily life. In infants, early surgery is recommended if there are feeding difficulties or problems with protein intake, but in adults it is often less urgent.

The procedure for tongue-tie surgery

Tongue-tie surgery is a relatively simple procedure. The surgery is performed under local anesthesia, and it takes about 15 to 30 minutes. After surgery, tongue movement improves, and discomfort with speaking or eating is reduced. The recovery period is short, and in most cases, people can return to daily life within a few days.

Precautions after surgery

After surgery, practice is needed to make tongue movement more natural. Speech practice and tongue exercises can help improve tongue movement. Also, it is best to avoid spicy or irritating foods to aid healing of the surgical site. Swelling may occur after surgery, but this is a natural reaction and will subside over time.

Differences between adult and baby surgery

Tongue-tie release surgery differs between infants and adults in terms of purpose and method. For infants and young children, early surgery is mainly recommended to improve feeding and swallowing function, while for adults the main purpose is to resolve speech problems.

There are also differences in surgical technique: in babies, simple release is the main approach, whereas in adults, more complex tissue reconstruction may be needed, taking into account oral structures that have formed over a long period of time.

In addition, infants and young children can naturally adapt during development, but adults may need additional rehabilitation processes such as speech therapy after surgery.

Tongue-tie surgery is an operation that improves tongue movement and reduces discomfort with speaking or eating. However, before deciding on surgery, it is important to fully consider your situation through consultation with a specialist. Speech problems may be caused not only by the tongue, but also by the teeth or lips, so please find the best approach through an overall evaluation. We support your healthy speech and comfortable eating!