Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition that restricts the tongue's range of motion.
With tongue-tie, an unusually short, thick or tight band of tissue (lingual frenulum) tethers the bottom of the tongue's tip to the floor of the mouth. A person who has tongue-tie might have difficulty sticking out his or her tongue. Tongue-tie can also affect the way a child eats, speaks and swallows, as well as interfere with breast-feeding.
Sometimes the lingual frenulum loosens over time and tongue-tie resolves on its own. In other cases, tongue-tie persists without causing problems.
If necessary, tongue-tie can be treated with a simple surgical procedure called a frenotomy. If additional repair is needed or the lingual frenulum is too thick for frenotomy, a more extensive procedure known as frenuloplasty might be an option.
May 16, 2012
- Isaacson GC. Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) in infants and children. www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Feb. 6, 2012.
- Buryk M, et al. Efficacy of neonatal release of ankyloglossia: A randomized trial. Pediatrics. 2011;128:280.
- Suter VG, et al. Ankyloglossia: Facts and myths in diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Periodontology. 2009;80:1204.
- Edmunds J, et al. Tongue-tie and breastfeeding: A review of the literature. Breastfeeding Review. 2011;19:19.
- Block SL. Ankyloglossia: When frenectomy is the right choice. Pediatric Annals. 2012;41:14.
- Beatty CW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 11, 2012.
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