- 63-109 Saunders St # Ba2, Rego Park, NY 11374
- (929) 229-1009
Tongue tie — known clinically as ankyloglossia — is a condition in which the lingual frenulum, the band of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth, is too short, too thick, or too tight. It restricts tongue movement in ways that can affect feeding in infants, speech development in children, orthodontic stability in teens, and oral function in adults. Dr. Yelizar is a board-certified Syosset orthodontist who performs tongue tie release using the Picasso Lite soft tissue laser — a minimally invasive approach that is faster, more precise, and more comfortable than traditional surgical methods. If you’ve been told your child has a tongue tie, or if you suspect one in yourself, a consultation is the best starting point.
Under the tongue, a small band of tissue called the lingual frenulum connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. In most people, this tissue is flexible enough to allow full tongue movement. In patients with tongue tie, the frenulum is abnormally short, thick, or attached too far forward — tethering the tongue and limiting how far it can lift, extend, and move from side to side.
A lip tie involves the labial frenulum — the band of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum above the upper front teeth. When this tissue is too thick or attached too low, it can restrict lip movement, interfere with breastfeeding, and in older children and adults, create or maintain a gap (diastema) between the upper front teeth that orthodontic treatment alone may not fully close.
Lip ties are often identified alongside tongue ties, and frenectomy — the release procedure — is commonly performed for both in the same visit. Dr. Yelizar evaluates both structures during consultation and will advise on whether one or both releases are indicated.
Tongue tie presents differently depending on the patient’s age and the severity of the restriction:
Not every person with a tongue tie will experience significant symptoms — and not every case requires treatment. The decision to release a tongue tie is based on functional impact, not appearance alone.
The tongue is a powerful muscle that, at rest, should sit against the roof of the mouth. This resting posture applies gentle upward pressure that helps the upper jaw develop to its proper width and shape. When the tongue is tethered by a restrictive frenulum, it rests low in the mouth — removing that developmental pressure and contributing to narrow arches, crowding, open bites, and forward head posture.
From an orthodontic standpoint, an untreated tongue tie can undermine treatment outcomes and contribute to relapse after braces or aligners. If the tongue is still restricted after teeth are moved into alignment, it continues to exert abnormal forces that may push teeth back out of position over time — even with consistent retainer wear.
Addressing a tongue tie in conjunction with orthodontic treatment — and coordinating with a myofunctional therapist when appropriate — produces more stable, long-term results than orthodontics alone. Dr. Yelizar evaluates tongue function as part of comprehensive treatment planning and will recommend release when it’s likely to meaningfully improve outcomes.
At Beyond Smiles Orthodontics, tongue tie release — formally called a frenectomy or frenotomy — is performed using the Picasso Lite soft tissue laser. Laser frenectomy has become the preferred approach in modern orthodontic and dental practices over traditional scalpel procedures for several important reasons:
The procedure itself typically takes only a few minutes. Topical anesthetic is applied beforehand to minimize discomfort. Most patients — including infants — experience significantly less distress with laser frenectomy than with traditional approaches.
Before: Dr. Yelizar will evaluate tongue and lip mobility, review symptoms, and confirm whether release is indicated. For older children and adults, a functional assessment helps determine whether myofunctional therapy before or after release would improve outcomes. There is no special preparation required for the procedure itself.
During: Topical anesthetic is applied to the treatment area. The laser release takes only minutes. Most patients report feeling mild pressure or warmth — not sharp pain. Infants can typically nurse immediately after the procedure.
After: Mild soreness is normal for a few days and is easily managed with over-the-counter pain relief. Dr. Yelizar will provide specific aftercare instructions, which typically include gentle stretching exercises to prevent reattachment of the frenulum as the site heals. For older children and adults, referral to a myofunctional therapist is often recommended to help retrain tongue posture and function following release.
We see patients from Rego Park, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Elmhurst, Corona, and across Syosset. An evaluation is the only way to determine whether release is indicated — and if it’s not, we’ll tell you clearly.
Using the Picasso Lite laser, the procedure is fast, comfortable, and precise. And because Beyond Smiles Orthodontics takes a lifetime approach to oral health, we remain involved in monitoring function and orthodontic stability long after the procedure is complete.
Our office is located at 63-109 Saunders St #BA2, Rego Park, NY 11374, conveniently accessible from throughout Syosset.
If you suspect a tongue tie in yourself or your child, the first step is a thorough evaluation. We’ll assess tongue and lip mobility, review symptoms, and give you a clear recommendation — including whether release is indicated and what to expect if you move forward. Contact Beyond Smiles Orthodontics to schedule your consultation. We serve patients of all ages across Syosset.
Here are answers to the questions we hear most often from patients and parents in Syosset exploring tongue tie release. If you need more information, please contact our office.
The frenulum can partially reattach if proper aftercare stretching is not performed during the healing period. This is why post-operative exercises are an important part of recovery. Dr. Yelizar will walk you through exactly what to do and for how long. When aftercare is followed correctly, reattachment is uncommon.
Ideally, tongue tie release should be evaluated and addressed before or early in orthodontic treatment — particularly if low tongue posture is contributing to a narrow arch, open bite, or spacing issue. Releasing the tongue and retraining correct posture allows orthodontic treatment to work with proper tongue function rather than against it, and supports better long-term stability of results.
We accept the vast majority of orthodontic insurance plans. Even if you don’t see your provider listed on our website, it’s worth calling our office to double-check your coverage. Orthodontic insurance can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, after all, and you won’t have to worry about paperwork – we’ll handle your claims on your behalf.
