Tongue-tie, medically known as ankyloglossia, is a condition present at birth in which the band
of tissue under the tongue (the lingual frenulum) is shorter, thicker, or tighter than usual. This
can limit the tongue’s range of motion.
The tongue plays an important role in feeding, swallowing, speech, and oral development.
When tongue movement is restricted, some infants or children may experience difficulties with
these functions.
Signs of Tongue-Tie in Infants
Tongue-tie is often identified during infancy when feeding difficulties arise. Signs may include:
● Difficulty latching during breastfeeding
● Prolonged or inefficient feeding
● Poor weight gain
● Clicking sounds during feeding
● Frustration or fatigue during feeding
Mothers may also experience symptoms such as nipple pain or damage during breastfeeding.
Tongue-Tie in Older Children
In some cases, tongue-tie may not be identified until later in childhood. Possible signs may
include:
● Difficulty moving the tongue freely
● Speech articulation concerns
● Trouble licking lips or cleaning food from the teeth
● Difficulty sticking the tongue out past the lower teeth
Not all children with tongue-tie develop speech or feeding problems, but evaluation can help
determine whether treatment may be beneficial.
How Tongue-Tie Is Evaluated
Evaluation involves examining the appearance and movement of the tongue and frenulum.
The assessment focuses on:
● Tongue mobility
● Ability to elevate and extend the tongue
● Feeding function in infants
● Speech development in older children
In some cases, collaboration with lactation consultants or speech-language pathologists
may be helpful.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the severity of the tongue restriction and the symptoms present.
Observation
If tongue movement is only mildly restricted and there are no feeding or speech concerns,
monitoring may be appropriate.
Frenotomy (Tongue-Tie Release)
A frenotomy is a simple procedure that releases the tight frenulum to improve tongue
movement.
In infants, the procedure is typically very quick and may be performed in the office. Many babies
can feed immediately after the procedure.
For older children, treatment decisions may depend on speech or functional concerns.
Benefits of Treatment When tongue-tie significantly affects feeding or tongue mobility, treatment may improve:
● Breastfeeding comfort and efficiency
● Tongue movement and oral function
● Feeding and swallowing coordination
When to Seek Evaluation
You may wish to consider evaluation if:
● An infant has difficulty breastfeeding or gaining weight
● Feeding is painful for the mother
● A child has difficulty moving the tongue freely
● Speech or oral function concerns arise
Early evaluation can help determine whether treatment may improve feeding or oral
development.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are concerned about tongue-tie or feeding difficulties, a consultation can help assess
tongue function and discuss whether treatment may be appropriate.
A Different Approach to Medical Care Our practice is a private-pay medical practice, which means we do not bill insurance for office
visits. Instead, patients pay directly for their care at the time of service. This model allows us to provide more time, more attention, and more personalized care than
is often possible in traditional insurance-based practices. Many patients choose this type of practice because they value thoughtful, unrushed medical
care and direct access to their physician. Why We Chose a Private-Pay Model In many insurance-based medical practices today, physicians are required to see a very high
number of patients each day in order to meet insurance reimbursement requirements. This often limits visits to 10–15 minutes, which can make it difficult to fully evaluate complex concerns.
By operating outside the insurance system for office visits, we are able to:
● Spend more time with each patient
● Provide comprehensive evaluations
● Develop thoughtful, individualized treatment plans
● Focus on preventive care and long-term health
● Reduce the administrative burden that often interferes with patient care
This approach allows us to focus entirely on what is best for the patient rather than what
insurance requires.
How Payment Works
Payment for office visits is made directly at the time of service.
For patients who wish to submit the visit to their insurance company, we can provide a detailed
receipt (superbill) that includes the information needed for potential out-of-network
reimbursement. Reimbursement depends on your individual insurance plan.
Many services such as laboratory testing, imaging studies, and medications may still be
billed through your insurance when ordered through outside facilities.
Our staff is happy to answer any questions about how this process works.
The Goal
Our goal is to provide high-quality, personalized care in an environment where patients feel
heard, understood, and supported.
By removing many of the constraints of insurance-based medicine, we are able to focus on what
matters most—the patient and their health.
Is This Practice Right for You?
Our practice may be a good fit for patients who:
● Value longer, unrushed appointments
● Want a thoughtful and thorough evaluation of their concerns
● Prefer direct communication with their physician
● Are interested in a more personalized approach to care
● Are comfortable with a private-pay model for office visits
Many of our patients are looking for a medical experience that allows time for careful listening,
detailed discussion, and individualized treatment planning.
When Insurance-Based Care May Be a Better Fit
Traditional insurance-based practices may be a better option for patients who prefer to have all
office visits billed directly to their insurance plan.
There are many excellent physicians who work within the insurance system, and that model
works very well for many patients.
Our goal is simply to offer an alternative approach for those who value a different style of
medical care.
Questions
We understand that choosing a physician is an important decision. If you have questions about
our practice model or would like to learn more about how visits are structured, our office would
be happy to help.
● Should we put prices?