Get a new lease on life! Release and resolve tongue-tie to restore overall health and well-being

At Alpine Family Dental, we blend timeless values of kind, non-judgmental, and responsive care with “of-the-moment” dental techniques and technologies to help our patients achieve peak oral health. Notably, Dr. Olson and our skilled team distinguish themselves favorably from other practices in Kalispell and northwestern Montana with laser dentistry and procedures such as lingual frenectomy.

While this service to resolve a congenital condition called “tongue-tie” is most often associated with infants, adult patients may benefit from Dr. Olson’s expertise in treating a tight, overly short, or otherwise anomalous “lingual frenulum.” This thin strip of tissue is also known as a “tongue web” and connects the mouth’s floor to the tongue’s underside. 

Likewise, the “labial frenulum” is a “lip-tie” characterized by overly short, thick, or stiff tissue. This strip of tissue connects the upper lip to the gums. If these conditions are not treated promptly, they can lead to developmental problems and other complications. 

Among adults, tongue- and lip-ties may result in the development of compensatory behaviors. These behaviors may arise, unknown to the patient, due to impaired tongue or lip movement. Since these structures are critical to basic functions that we may take for granted, adults with these conditions may be at risk of developing: 

  • Disordered breathing during sleep, including obstructive sleep apnea
  • Negative adaptations or compensatory behaviors that affect overall health and well-being
  • Pain when swallowing 
  • Food aversions due to painful swallowing 
  • Nutritional deficiencies associated with inefficient chewing and digestion
  • GERD (gastrointestinal esophageal reflux disease)
  • Problems with good oral hygiene 
  • Dental decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems (due to the above challenge)
  • Problems with the jaw joints; TMJD symptoms (from chronic tension headaches to referred facial, neck, back, and shoulder pain) 
  • Disordered speech 
  • Poor self-image due to speech impediments 
  • Misaligned teeth and jaws 

We are happy to get our more “experienced” patients back on the right path to better health. The process of treating tongue-tie is generally straightforward. We can discuss specific techniques to “release” the restricted tissue. So your tongue can move freely. 

Additionally, as adopters of the latest technologies, we provide minimally-invasive ways to painlessly, quickly, and precisely treat this disruptive condition. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Olson today to learn more about your options and potential treatment processes. The Alpine Dental team in Kalispell, MT, can be reached at (406) 393-8877.