Adult Tongue Tie Surgery in Portland
Dr. Charugundla, an Adult Tongue-Tie Specialist can help.
Tongue Tie vs. Normal Adults
Why does treatment matter?
A tongue tie in adults occurs when the tissue under the tongue (frenulum) is too tight or short, limiting tongue movement. Unlike a normal frenulum that supports full tongue mobility for speech, swallowing, posture, and breathing, a tongue tie can cause issues. Though often diagnosed in infants or children, many adults unknowingly live with this condition.
Tongue-tie in an adult. Jangid K, Alexander AJ, Jayakumar ND, Varghese S, Ramani P. Ankyloglossia with cleft lip: A rare case report. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2015;19(6):690-693. doi:10.4103/0972-124X.162207.
Tongue ties can cause low tongue posture and jaw compensations, leading to chronic mouth breathing and trouble breathing through the nose.
Restricted tongue movement strains jaw and neck muscles, causing tension, poor posture, and even TMJ pain.
Tongue or lip ties can lead to dry mouth and make swallowing harder, especially with certain foods.
Tongue ties can affect speech clarity by limiting tongue movement for certain sounds, while lip ties can restrict articulation and speech clarity.
Limited tongue or lip mobility can cause dry mouth and make cleaning teeth harder, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Pediatric Tongue Tie Treatment
Why Dr. Charugundla Prefers Z-Plasty.
Dr. Charugundla prefers Z-plasty for its ability to release the tongue and lengthen it during the procedure, rather than relying on post-surgical stretching exercises. This reduces the reliance on extensive physical therapy afterward, as the majority of the work is done surgically.
With Z-plasty, you and your speech or myofunctional therapist can focus on deprogramming muscular compensations, and efficiently go through the recovery process with long-lasting results.
The differences between Frenulectomy, Frenuloplasty & Z-Plasty.
A frenectomy is a surgical procedure where the frenum is cut to release the restriction, allowing for improved tongue or lip mobility. This procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia, with a relatively quick recovery time. It is effective for adults who experience limited tongue or lip movement due to a tongue tie.
Z-Plasty is a specific technique often used in frenuloplasty, where a Z-shaped incision is made in the tissue to realign and reposition the frenulum. This technique reduces tension, allowing for better functional and aesthetic results and promoting more effective healing.
Integrative Adult Tongue-Tie Treatment
A multi-disciplinary approach is essential.
To reduce the risk of relapse after tongue-tie surgery, a collaborative approach is essential. Dr. Charugundla will connect you with other specialists to improve tongue mobility and ensure optimal function for speech, swallowing, and overall health before and after surgery.
Speech Therapy
To address any speech difficulties or articulation problems that may have arisen due to a tongue tie.
Physical Therapy
Focused on reducing muscle tension in the jaw, neck, and shoulders, often resulting from compensatory behaviors
Myofunctional Therapy
Exercises to retrain the tongue for proper function in speech, swallowing, and breathing.
Tongue-tie release surgical cost varies depending on your situation. We offer straightforward, transparent self-pay pricing for most services. If your procedure isn’t listed, we’re glad to provide an accurate cost estimate. Our commitment to transparency extends to patients with insurance as well. Pricing & Accepted Insurance >
We offer a variety of sedation and pain relief options, depending on the complexity of your procedure and health status. Talk to Dr. Charugundla during your consultation about what level of pain relief you wish to achieve. Sedation & Pain Relief Options >
Dr. Charugundla looks forward to meeting you and evaluating your adult tongue tie. Your first appointment is a consultation and surgery is scheduled afterwards. Learn more about how you can prepare. Your First Appointment >