What Is a Frenectomy?

A tongue-tie, also known as a short lingual attachment, occurs when the ligament under the tongue is too short and limits movement. This condition can make it difficult to pronounce certain sounds, including “T,” “L,” “S,” “W,” “TH,” and other letters or words that require precise tongue movement.

A lot of people with a lisp don’t even realize they have one. Some people think it’s simply the way they talk or part of their accent, when in reality it may be related to restricted tongue movement or tight tissue under the tongue or upper lip. That tissue, called the frenum, acts almost like a rope pulling on the tongue or lips. As people get older, it can become tighter, which may make speech issues or lisping more noticeable over time.

Some patients adapt surprisingly well. I had a patient who was a speech therapist and spoke quite well despite having a short lingual attachment. She explained that it took years of practice to compensate for the restriction. I told her that with a simple laser procedure, I could correct the issue in just 5 to 10 minutes.

The procedure itself is quick and straightforward. We numb the area slightly and use a laser to carefully release the extra tissue under the tongue or lip. All you really have to do is snip it with a laser, and then you’re on your way.

Recovery is minimal. Most patients are able to eat and continue normal activities the same day, similar to recovering from a small cut on the lip. We also have tests that help determine whether speech difficulties are related to tongue-tie or a lisping problem. Sometimes patients already suspect there’s an issue because people constantly ask them to repeat certain words.

If that sounds familiar, you may have a tongue-tie or lisping problem, and it’s often something we can fix quickly and effectively.