The tongue is fundamental to human development. It is useful to imagine the tongue as the very scaffolding around which the rest of the mouth, face, neck, and head are formed. Because of this, the health and flexibility of the infant tongue directly affects the formation of the teeth, the face, the jaw, and even the cranium itself. In fact, the tongue connects directly to the nervous system of the entire body by means of the fascia, and has been called “the rudder” of the human body.

Of equal importance is the effect of the tongue on breathing. Ultimately, the tongue is a respiratory organ, determining airway access as well as eating habits for the developing infant. (A high percentage of frenectomy candidates are seeking support due to issues with breastfeeding, often directly resulting from certain malformations of the tongue.) 

As you can see, tongue health has a significant impact on the overall health of the human body, affecting not only dental and facial formation, but also breathing, eating, sleep, speech, and more - all factors relating to physical development, good health, and effective movement.

Perhaps the most typical reason for considering a frenectomy is the developmental issue commonly referred to as a “tongue tie.” Tongue tie can severely limit tongue flexibility, restrict airway access (breathing), and inhibit effective latching during breastfeeding.

PAIN & DISCONNECTION

Sadly, it is not uncommon for the infant and its mother to experience challenges in connection early on, even in those cases where the mother has decided to breastfeed. In fact, many breastfeeding mothers endure extreme (and often totally avoidable) pain, unaware that this is neither natural or necessary - unaware that challenges like these are signs of treatable developmental issues, not the mother’s failure to provide.

WHAT IS MOST NATURAL?

Human bonding is what’s natural. Effective human bonding between the growing infant and the nursing mother is what we need to reconceptualize as both necessary and natural in this context. In order to achieve this, sometimes it is necessary to correct minor malformations, understanding that doing so can have significant and long-standing (positive) effects. Though these effects do impact infant development, breathing, eating, sleep, and more, the greater reward is a return to effective bonding between the infant and its mother (which is critical for not only physical, but also mental and emotional development as well).

IS SURGERY NATURAL?

Under most conditions, surgery is considered “invasive” and unnatural. In special cases, however, a minor surgery (like infant frenectomy) can provide meticulously targeted improvements: effectively correcting malformation and regaining a more natural and beneficial trajectory of development and bonding.

A minimally-invasive, low-impact surgery like infant frenectomy produces significant, holistic, and long-term results by addressing developmental issues at their root: correcting the cause of malformation and achieving a return to natural development (both physically and relationally, too).

WHAT IS A FRENECTOMY?

Infant Frenectomy is a procedure that releases the tongue through removal of connective tissue underneath the tongue. This process can be achieved surgically using either a blade or a laser.

All of the frenectomies that I perform utilize a precision laser. Surgically, this allows superior control, and significantly reduces patient discomfort.

Infant Frenectomy can help to:

• Relieve and prevent symptoms of tongue tie

• Significantly improve airway and breathing

• Improve latching while breast-feeding

• Prevent chronic tension tendencies

• Improve facial structure

• Improve sleep

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

Infant Frenectomy is targeted, superficial, and swift. The appointment on the day-of rarely exceeds one hour in total. The procedure itself takes only minutes to complete.

RESOURCES

• Aftercare Instructions (.pdf)