Tongue & Lip Tie Gallery
Tongue & Lip Tie Releases in Belpre, OH
Real cases and results from TOTS releases by Dr. Huffman!
Patient/ Parent Concerns: Patient is 5 months old. Tongue tie was clipped in the hospital with scissors. The provider did not instruct parents to perform any stretches, so it reattached. Patient was unable to breastfeed due to the tongue tie. Symptoms include reflux, popping on/off the bottle nipple, making clicking/smacking noises when eating, gagging/choking when feeding, lip curling under when latching, and milk dribbling out the corners of the mouth when feeding.
Doctor Diagnosis: When presented for retreatment, patient had Kotlow Class 3 tongue tie and Kotlow Class 3 lip tie.
Treatment: Laser lingual and labial frenectomy by Dr. Huffman to release ties. Exercises to prevent reattachment along with post-surgical instructions and referral for bodywork.
Outcome: 1 week later, parents report 75% improvement on reflux symptoms, 100% improvement on popping on/off the bottle nipple, 100% improvement on making clicking/smacking noises when eating, 100% improvement on gagging/choking when feeding, and 100% improvement on lip curling under/ milk dribbling out the corners of the mouth.
Patient/ Parent Concerns: Infant (male) having difficulty latching during breastfeeding.
Doctor Diagnosis: Patient suffering from a Kotlow class 3 lip tie and class 3 tongue tie. Exhibiting restricted movement in both areas.
Treatment: Laser frenectomy treatment by Dr. Huffman which released the frenums allowing the muscles of the tongue and lip to move more freely.
Outcome: Immediately following the procedure, infant was able to latch well, and mother was able to comfortably nurse. During the 3 weeks following the procedure, the infant gained one pound per week.
Patient/ Parent Concerns: 7-year-old patient is experiencing symptoms associated with tongue tie including sleeping in strange positions, kicking and flailing around at night, and being a slow eater (doesn’t finish meals). Patient’s mother also reported infant symptoms of lip blisters, leaking at corners of mouth when breastfeeding, prolonged feedings, and noisy breathing/ snoring sounds when sleeping.
Doctor Diagnosis: Patient suffering from a tight posterior tongue tie. In the bottom image, you can see that the band of fascia under the tongue (lingual frenulum) is too tight which is pulling the tip of the tongue into a notched or heart shaped which is often an indicator of tongue tie when associated with symptoms.
Treatment: Laser frenectomy treatment by Dr. Huffman. Referral for pre- and post-op bodywork.
Outcome: The successful release along with bodywork from Dr. Imber Coppinger, DO resulted in a successful alleviation of symptoms.
Patient/ Parent Concerns: 11-year-old patient experiencing some speech issues.
Doctor Diagnosis: Patient was diagnosed during the exam at his regular cleaning appointment by Dr. Huffman. Patient suffering from Kotlow Class 4 tongue tie. suffering from a tight posterior tongue tie. In the bottom image, you can see how the lingual frenulum (band of fascia under the tongue) being too tight and too short and is pulling the tip of the tongue into a notched or heart shaped which is often an indicator of tongue tie when associated with symptoms.
Treatment: Laser frenectomy treatment by Dr. Huffman. Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) was used as a comfort measure during the procedure to alleviate anxiety. Referral for speech therapy. Exercises give to prevent reattachment.
Outcome: Patient did stretches himself wonderfully! Working with speech therapist to capitalize on increased range of motion. Can stick out his tongue much further!
Patient/ Parent Concerns: 8-year-old patient is experiencing symptoms including trouble with “S” consonant blends, wakes easily or often, wakes up tired and not refreshed, kicks/flails during night, chokes/gags on food, and grinds teeth while sleeping. Patient’s mother reported infant symptoms of poor weight gain, difficulty holding a pacifier, coughing/ gagging, noisy suckling, popping on/off the breast, leaking at corners of mouth, difficulty latching. Mother’s symptoms included poor breast drainage leading to engorgement, decreased milk production, flatted nipples after feeding, and nipple pain/bleeding/damage.
Doctor Diagnosis: Patient suffering from anterior Class 3 tongue tie. Nitrous Oxide used during release as a comfort measure.
Treatment: Referral for pre- and post-op bodywork. Laser frenectomy treatment by Dr. Huffman.
Outcome: The successful release along with bodywork from Dr. Imber Coppinger, DO resulted in improvement on current symptoms.
Patient/ Parent Concerns: Patient is 9 days old. Symptoms include shallow latch, popping on/off the bottle nipple, making clicking/smacking noises when eating, hiccupping and spitting up often, falling asleep when eating, and milk dribbling out the corners of the mouth when feeding.
Doctor Diagnosis: Patient diagnosed with posterior tongue tie, right and left upper buccal ties, and class 3 lip tie.
Treatment: Laser lingual, labial, and buccal frenectomy by Dr. Huffman to release ties.
Outcome: Within a week 75% improvement on shallow latch and popping on/off the bottle nipple, 25% improvement on spitting up and hiccupping, 100% improvement on making clicking/smacking noises when eating, 100% improvement on falling asleep when eating, and 100% improvement on milk dribbling out the corners of the mouth. Seeing bodywork specialist to optimize results.
Patient/ Parent Concerns: 6-week-old baby girl struggling with symptoms of shallow latch, falling asleep when eating, popping on/off the bottle, colic, reflux symptoms, making clicking/smacking noises when eating, moving head side to side when latching, spitting up often, hiccupping often, poor weight gain, lip curling under when taking feeding, and pacifier falling out easily. Mother experiencing incomplete breast drainage and creased/flattened/blanched nipples.
Doctor Diagnosis: Patient had a posterior tongue tie and class 3 lip tie.
Treatment: Laser lingual and labial frenectomy by Dr. Huffman.
Outcome: Reflux symptoms improved by 75%. Colic improved by 25%. Referred to lactation consultant and bodywork specialist to assist with maximizing results on other symptoms.
*Patient pictured with Stephanie, Dental Assistant!
Patient/ Parent Concerns: This sweet baby boy was brought in for a TOTS assessment with symptoms of taking a long time to latch, shallow latch, falling asleep when feeding, popping on and off the nipple, making clicking or smacking sounds when eating, lip curling under when nursing, pacifier falling out easily, requiring frequent feedings, and moving head side to side when latching.
Doctor Diagnosis: Diagnosed by Dr. Huffman with Kotlow Class 3 tongue tie and Kotlow Class 3 lip tie.
Treatment: Dr. Huffman performed a laser release of the ties.
Outcome: Patient was able to latch easily immediately after release.
2-day-old patient pictured with Dental Assistant & Clinical Support Specialist, Taylor! Just look at that adorable yawn.
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Patient/ Parent Concerns: 8-year-old patient has a tight band of tissue on lip and was advised by another dentist to seek treatment.
Doctor Diagnosis: Patient suffering from a lip tie causing restricted movement of the lip and contributing to the gap between the front teeth.
Treatment: Laser frenectomy treatment by Dr. Huffman.
Outcome: Successful release. 2 weeks post-op the patient has healed nicely (see photo).
Patient Concerns: Patient is 25 years old and frustrated with dealing with ongoing symptoms including snoring, tightness in shoulders, neck, and chest, weird sleeping positions, and a severe gag reflex. Patient found us through internet research and traveled from out of town for treatment.
Doctor Diagnosis: Posterior tongue tie and Class 3 lip tie.
Treatment: Laser release of both tongue and lip tie.
Outcome:
- Day 1– Tension released from neck, around head, jaw, and chest; able to stick out tongue further; able to bend and touch her toes for the first time EVER
- Day 2– Decrease in gag reflex when brushing her teeth; able to hold tongue in proper position; facial muscles felt more relaxed
- Day 3- Swallowing felt smoother; felt like she was standing taller
- Day 6- Improved quality of sleep
- 1 Year- No regrets and is happy with the results and quality of life improvements.
Patient/ Parent Concerns: 2-month-old baby girl was unable to latch while breastfeeding. This caused mother to be discouraged and now she exclusively pumps. Mother concerned about clicking sound when bottle feeding, gassiness, and milk tongue.
Doctor Diagnosis: Patient suffering from a deep posterior tongue tie and a lip tie (not pictured).
Treatment: Laser lingual and labial frenectomy by Dr. Huffman to release ties.
Outcome: Immediately following the procedure, the patient’s mother reported a difference in latch during bottle feeding, no clicking sounds, no excessive spilling out of the corners of the mouth, and a deeper latch on the bottle.
Patient/ Parent Concerns: Patient having difficulty latching on breast to nurse.
Doctor Diagnosis: Patient suffering from a Kotlow Class 2 tongue tie and a Kotlow Class 3 lip tie.
Treatment: Laser lingual and labial frenectomy by Dr. Huffman to release ties.
Outcome: Infant was able to latch on breast immediately after procedure.
Patient/ Parent Concerns: Patient is 5 months old. When she was less than 1 month old, tongue tie was released by an ENT using scissors, but the provider did not instruct parents to perform any stretches, so it reattached.
Doctor Diagnosis: When presented for retreatment, patient had Kotlow Class 3 tongue and lip ties.
Treatment: Laser lingual and labial frenectomy by Dr. Huffman to release ties. Exercises to prevent reattachment along with complete post-surgical instructions provided.
Outcome: 3 weeks later, the patient’s latch has greatly improved, can now stick out her tongue, and her lip no longer curls under when feeding.
Patient/ Parent Concerns: Breastfeeding was excruciatingly painful for mother causing her stress and elevated blood pressure.
Doctor Diagnosis: Patient suffering from a lip tie which was restricting movement and causing poor latch for baby and pain for mother.
Treatment: Laser frenectomy treatment by Dr. Huffman which released the frenulum allowing the muscles of the lip to move more freely.
Outcome: Mother was able to nurse infant following treatment with no pain.
*Patient pictured with Dr. Huffman.
Doctor Concerns: Dr. Huffman noticed this 6-year-old patient’s lip would not lift fully due to muscle restriction from frenal attachment through the teeth and frenum inserting onto the hard palate.
Doctor Diagnosis: After a further functional examination, Dr. Huffman determined the patient had a class 4 lip tie.
Treatment: Laser frenectomy treatment by Dr. Huffman which released the frenulum allowing the muscles of the lip to move more freely.
Outcome: Without treatment, this patient would likely have issues with speech and there would be no chance for the gap between the front teeth to resolve without orthodontia.
Patient/ Parent Concerns: 2-day old patient having severe difficulty breastfeeding resulting in having to feed infant partially by syringe. Lactation consultant recommended getting assessed for tongue and lip ties. Symptoms present:
- Struggling to latch
- Popping off the breast
- Painful latch for mother
- Making clicking/ smacking noises while feeding
- Hiccupping often
- Moving head side to side when latching
- Lip curling under when taking a bottle
- Pacifier falling out easily
- Creased or flattened nipples for mother
- Infant prefers to feed at one side over the other
Doctor Diagnosis: Patient suffering from Kotlow class 3 tongue tie and class 3 lip tie based on functional exam and symptoms.
Treatment: Laser lingual and labial frenectomy by Dr. Huffman to release ties.
Outcome:
- Immediately after procedure- Infant was able to latch on breast immediately after procedure.
- 24 hours- 50% improvement on popping on/off the breast, clicking, and shallow latch; hiccups improved,
- 3 Weeks- 100% improvement on popping on/off the breast, clicking, and shallow latch.
- 6 Weeks- Successfully breast and bottle-feeding.
Patient/ Parent Concerns: 6-year-old patient has been in speech therapy for three years with little improvement. The speech therapist recommended the release to patient’s mother who found Dr. Huffman online.
Doctor Diagnosis: Patient suffering from a severe tongue tie which was restricting movement required to enunciate certain sounds and causing separation of the lower front teeth. This tongue tie was one of the most severe that Dr. Huffman has treated. Child patient also showing signs of anxiety and fear concerning the upcoming release procedure.
Treatment: Laser frenectomy treatment by Dr. Huffman which released the frenulum allowing the muscles of the tongue to move more freely. Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) was used as a comfort measure during the procedure to alleviate anxiety.
*Note: The after photo was taken immediately after the release. The lack of blood is due to the cauterization by the laser which is a wonderful advantage to laser releases over scissor/ scalpel releases.
Outcome: Patient is continuing to work with speech therapist to learn how to use his new tongue mobility to make previously challenging sounds. 3 weeks post release, patient is able to say the “L” sound which he was unable to do prior to release.