Tongue-Tie (Ankyloglossia)

Ankyloglossia, or tongue-tie, is a congenital condition in which the tongue is restricted in movement due to tissue (called a frenulum) tethering it to the mouth floor.

Tongue-tie may contribute to infant feeding problems and, as a child ages, may affect speaking and oral hygiene. In many cases, these issues resolve once the condition is treated.

In most cases, the condition is corrected with an outpatient frenotomy procedure, in which a physician cuts the restrictive tissue with sterile scissors. The procedure is safe and well-tolerated by most young patients. While typically done for infants, children of any age can have the procedure if it is part of a care plan determined by their physician.