"Ankyloglossia" sounds like some sort of complex molecule or compound. But really, it's just the medical term for a tongue-tie. While being tongue-tied does not necessarily seem like it would be a big deal, a child born with ankyloglossia can later develop problems with speech, feeding, and oral hygiene. These are three major components of an individual's daily routine that could be negatively affected due to a "simple" tongue-tie. As the baby matures and develops, an untreated tongue-tie could even result in deformities that hamper the progression of infantile to toddler - and eventually adult - eating styles.
Around four percent of newborns are born with ankyloglossia, ranging from mild cases to complete immobility of the tongue. Tongue-ties occur when the membrane that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth, the lingual frenulum, is unusually shortened and thickened to prevent free movement of the tongue. In some extreme cases, the lingual frenulum can literally anchor the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
At this point, you are probably wondering what can be done to treat ankyloglossia. Although there are very few doctors who offer treatments in their office, the procedure is actually quite simple and safe! Dr. Reese is able to perform a complete frenotomy, "the incision and relocation of the frenal attachment", in one visit, either by modern laser techniques or traditional scalpel incision. Call 317-882-0228 today to make a consultation or appointment if you believe frenotomy is the right choice for your baby.