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     Dr. Lenore Morrissey and her clinical associates have been trained to assess and recognize when a patient's tongue mobility and posture are restricted and compromised. If there is a restricted lingual frenum or “tongue-tie”, we will refer a patient to have the frenum surgically released. However, for the release to be thoroughly successful, a patient must "train" their tongue prior to the frenectomy ("tongue-tie" release) procedure. Completing a frenectomy without myofunctional therapy is tantamount to running a marathon cold, without any proper training or warm-up. 

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     As the result, many dental and medical professionals refer patients for myofunctional therapy before a frenectomy is completed. Patients who completed myofunctional therapy sessions before and after their frenum was released reported faster healing time, improved tongue mobility, better sleep, and an overall improvements in their quality of life. Dentists and doctors alike reported that patients who underwent myofunctional therapy were better prepared for the surgery and recovered as quickly as the following day.  

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Am I tongue tied? 

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     Richard Baxter in his book titled "Tongue Tied" mentions that "the tongue may not visually appear tied, but the baby, child or adult may still exhibit symptoms of a tongue-tie." Furthermore, the author continues and rightfully describes the tongue as "a complex organ composed of eight muscles that are involved in feeding, breathing, speaking, sleep, posture and many other essential functions. [Furthermore] Ideal tongue function and muscle rest postures also proved a mold for proper growth and development of the dental arches and facial/airway development.”  A physical therapist, like Dr. Lenore Morrissey, is an expert in musculoskeletal function, who is also well equipped to understand functional deficits throughout the body a tongue tie can have on an individual. If you are tongue-tied, we will make an appropriate referral to an ENT or a dental professional to have your frenum released. Dr. Lenore Morrissey underwent the tongue-tie release procedure twice, and through her personal experience she is able to relay a breadth of information readily available to help you navigate this process from start to finish.

 

Some of the symptoms associated with being tongue-tied are: 

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• Poor sleep 

• Difficulty swallowing

• Mouth breathing

• Compromised tongue mobility

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In babies, a tongue-tie is often linked to: 

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• Problems with breastfeeding 

• Changes in the development of the mouth, face, and skull,

• Open mouth resting posture or mouth breathing

 

Myofunctional Therapy And The Frenectomy Procedure

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Myofunctional therapy exercises are critical for the success of the frenectomy procedure, because MFT ensures proper wound healing, proper "warm up" before the release, and afterwards it helps the tongue regains its full mobility in as little time as possible. 

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Imagine a broken arm that's been in a cast for 6 weeks. Similarly your tongue has been in a cast for a number of years, unable to properly move and functions. Just like a physical therapist will be helpful in regaining mobility in your arm after the cast is removed, so is myofunctional therapy critical to the tongue regaining proper strength and mobility after the frenum ("cast") is removed. 

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While pre-frenectomy myofunctional therapy exercises prepare the tongue for the release, similarly post-frenectomy therapy is crucial for wound healing and serve as an "insurance policy" against the tongue-tie reattaching and re-appearing again. Additionally, once the tongue-tie is released your tongue is now able to move and maneuver in ways previously unexplored. Your myofunctional therapist will re-train your tongue muscles, correct any previously erroneous swallowing habits, and restore your tongue's full and optimal functionality. 

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As the result your newly found tongue freedom will

 

• Prevent your tongue from falling backwards in your throat during the night,

• Lead to proper tongue posture and prevent mouth breathing

• Help your snoring will subside

• Your sleep apnea will be a thing of the past.