When your child is diagnosed with a tongue-tie or lip-tie, the unfamiliar medical terms can quickly become overwhelming. You want to understand what’s happening with your child’s health, but it can feel like you’re drowning in confusing terminology. 

At the Tongue Tie Laser Institute, we understand how stressful this can be, especially when you’re trying to make the best decision for your little one.

This blog post is here to help. We’ve put together a glossary of some of the most common terms you may encounter during your research or while speaking with healthcare professionals about your child’s lip or tongue-tie. 

We hope that by breaking these terms down, we can help you better understand your child’s condition, as well as the available treatment options.

Frenum / Frenulum (Frenulums / Frenula / Frena)

The frenum (also known as frenulum) is a small band of tissue in the mouth that connects different parts of the mouth. The most well-known frenulums are:

• The one connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
• The ones connecting each lip to the gums (upper and lower).

These structures develop in the womb and naturally shrink over time. The shrinking process is known as apoptosis, which allows the lips and tongue to move freely. If this process doesn’t happen fully, it can lead to issues like lip or tongue-ties.

When referring to one of these tissues, it’s called a frenum or frenulum. When talking about multiple frenulums, you may hear the terms frenula or frena.

Tongue-Tie (Ankyloglossia)

A tongue-tie, also known as ankyloglossia, is a condition where the frenulum connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short, tight, or thick. This restricts the tongue’s movement, leading to potential difficulties in speaking, eating, and swallowing.

Ankyloglossia is the scientific term for tongue-tie. It comes from Greek, where ankylo- means “fused” or “stiff,” and -glossia refers to the tongue. Ankyloglossia essentially describes a condition where the tongue is “tied” or restricted by the frenulum, preventing it from moving freely.

In infants, tongue-tie can make breastfeeding challenging because the baby may struggle to latch onto the nipple properly. As children grow, it can also interfere with speech development and oral hygiene, as they may not be able to move their tongue enough to clean their teeth effectively.

Lip-Tie

A lip-tie occurs when the frenulum connecting the upper or lower lip to the gums is too short, tight, or thick, limiting the movement of the lips. Like tongue-tie, lip-tie can affect infants’ ability to nurse, making it difficult for them to latch on properly.

In older children, a lip-tie can lead to dental issues. One of the most common signs of a lip-tie is the development of a gap between the two front teeth, known as a diastema. Lip-ties can also lead to speech problems as the child grows.

Lip and Tongue-Tie

Sometimes, a child can have both a tongue-tie and a lip-tie simultaneously. This condition is commonly referred to as lip and tongue-tie. Both conditions can affect the child’s ability to eat and speak, and they often need to be treated together to restore full functionality.

Buccal-Tie

A buccal-tie is less common than a lip or tongue-tie, but it can still cause significant oral issues. 

This condition involves the tissues that connect the sides of the cheeks to the bones of the upper or lower jaw. When these tissues are tight or inflexible, they can limit the movement of the cheeks, causing discomfort and potentially affecting feeding and speech.

Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTS)

While tots may be a cute nickname for toddlers, in the medical world, TOTS is an acronym that stands for Tethered Oral Tissues. This term refers to any condition where the connective tissues in the mouth, such as the frenulum, are too tight or restrictive. This includes conditions like lip-tie, tongue-tie, and buccal-tie.

TOTS is most often used when discussing these conditions in infants and young children, as they commonly affect feeding, speech development, and oral health.

Frenectomy / Frenotomy / Frenulectomy

These terms all describe the procedures used to treat lip or tongue-tie, where a small portion of the frenulum is removed to allow for greater movement of the lips or tongue. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they all refer to a similar procedure with minor variations in how the frenulum is cut or modified. Traditionally, these procedures were performed using surgical scissors. 

Frenectomy: This is the most commonly used term for the procedure. It involves removing or cutting a small section of the frenulum to release the restriction.

Frenotomy: This is a simpler form of the procedure where only a small cut is made in the frenulum, typically without removing any tissue.

Frenulectomy: This refers to the complete removal of the frenulum, though this is not as commonly done unless absolutely necessary.

Laser Frenectomy

A laser frenectomy is a modern, minimally invasive method for treating tongue-tie and lip-tie. The procedure uses a soft-tissue laser to precisely remove or modify the frenulum, freeing up the tongue or lip to move more naturally.

The benefits of a laser frenectomy include:

Minimal bleeding: The laser cauterizes the tissue as it cuts, reducing the risk of bleeding.

Reduced discomfort: Laser frenectomies are generally more comfortable than traditional frenectomies done with surgical scissors.

Faster recovery: The laser promotes quicker healing, so your child can return to normal activities, like feeding, almost immediately.

The Importance of Treating Lip and Tongue-Tie

Lip and tongue-ties can cause a variety of issues, from difficulties in breastfeeding during infancy to speech and dental problems as your child grows. Early detection and treatment are key to preventing these complications.

Understanding the terminology surrounding lip and tongue-tie is the first step to making informed decisions about your child’s care. 

At the Tongue Tie Laser Institute, we’re here to answer any questions you may have and provide you with the information and support you need. If you suspect your child has a lip or tongue-tie, or if you’ve been referred to us for treatment, don’t hesitate to reach out for a consultation.

A healthier, happier smile is just a phone call away!