Tongue-Tie Release and Resources

Tongue-tie
Written By Lactation Care

Are you wondering if your baby is tongue tied or has a lip tie? Be sure to include a functional assessment in your journey. Book here to schedule a consult.

This resource has information for all, and some specific resources for those close to Ottawa.

  • • Pre-Care: IBCLC. See an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) to assess for functional issues. IBCLCs often pick up potential ties. The IBCLC may refer for gentle body work, then reassess, and as needed, prepare parents and baby for possible tie release.

    • Pre-Care: Bodyworker. See a bodyworker skilled in helping infants. Many IBCLCs have a list of bodyworkers.

    • Terms. Tongue ties involve the frenulum of the tongue (lingual), and lip ties involve the frenulum of the upper lip (labial). Frenotomy refers to cutting part of a frenulum, whereas frenectomy is removal of a frenulum, usually by laser.

  • Physicians, OHIP funded MDs release anterior tongue ties only (ties near tongue tip, not posterior ties, nor lip ties), using scissors. This is adequate for some babies, not others.

    1. CHEO ENT clinic, Infants with feeding difficulties and older children with speech delay. Dr Sherer releases anterior tongue ties for infants up to 6 months old. Phone: 613-737-7600 ext. 3657. MD or NP fax referral to: 613-738-4222. Seen within 1 month. Dr Sherer no longer sees babies at the Montfort.

    2. Dr Farhardi, Pediatric Clinic at the Trainyards, babies under 6 weeks. Phone: 613-731-2244, Fax: 613-260-4802. Admin said babies may or may not be accepted.

    3. Monarch Centre, Only see babies directly referred from The Ottawa Hospital at discharge Phone: (613-627-0795; Fax: 613-226-7059).

  • Dentists & Nurse Practitioners who have training and experience, use laser can release a lip tie and both the anterior and posterior parts of a tongue tie.

    Know: A consult may be done without a release; how baby is held, and who holds baby during the procedure varies by practice (parent, staff, on a board); appointments usually available within 1-2 weeks.

    Providers: Those listed alphabetically below, treat lip ties and tongue ties, using laser. Clients self-refer.

    Suggest: 1) Not releasing just a lip as the tongue is the main driver of feeding; 2) Use fingers versus a tool to do after care.

    Insurance: Call your insurer to ask what is covered. Code numbers are 77801 (lip) 77803 (tongue).

    Ask re: Costs (expect $750-$850+), cancellation list, payment options, insurance codes, follow up care done by parents, and what follow up done by provider.

    1. Michele Barone, NP, Evergreen Dental Care, Phone: (613) 604-7455, 5510 Manotick Main St.
      https://evergreendentalcare.ca/infant_tongue_ties

    2. Dr. Ken Crossman, Hampton Park Dental; Phone: 792-4040; 1399 Carling Ave., at Kirkwood.

    3. Dr. John Fayad, Chapman Mills Dental; Phone: (613) 823-4001; Fax: (613) 823-2930; E-mail: info@chapmanmillsdental.com
      50 Marketplace Avenue, Unit 11, Nepean, Ontario K2J 5G3.

    4. Dr. Maryam Karami, Little Lion Dental Clinic, Phone: 613-942-2070, Email: info@littleliondentalclinic.com
      90 Richmond Rd Suite C, near Island Park.

    5. Dr. Simi Silver, Silver Dental Centre; Phone: (613) 829-5921; 510 Richardson Ave, off Carling.

    After Care:

    1. Consult with an IBCLC within a few days of the procedure and until feeding problems resolve;

    2. Bodywork, gentle and effective with specifically trained RMT, physio, chiro, osteo, etc., will likely help your baby. Many IBCLCs have a list of body workers who have training and experience with infants.

    Care of released areas: To prevent reattachment, parents stretch the affected areas multiple times per day and night. Release providers give these instructions.

  • Resources:

    References:

    • Buryk, Melissa., et al., (2011). Efficacy of Neonatal Release of Ankyloglossia: A Randomized Trial, Pediatrics, 128, 280.
      https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21768318/

    • Campanha, Silvia et al., (2021). Position of lips and tongue in rest in newborns with and without ankyloglossia. CoDAS.
      https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34190809/

    • Carnino, J. M., Rodriguez Lara, F., Chan, W. P., Kennedy, D. G., & Levi, J. R. (2024). Speech Outcomes of Frenectomy for Tongue-Tie Release: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 34894241236234.
      https://doi.org/10.1177/00034894241236234

    • Cordray, H., Mahendran, G. N., Tey, C. S., Nemeth, J., & Raol, N. (2023). The Impact of Ankyloglossia Beyond Breastfeeding: A Scoping Review of Potential Symptoms. Am J Speech Lang Pathol, 1-16.
      https://doi.org/10.1044/2023_AJSLP-23-00169

    • Cordray, H., Raol, N., Mahendran, G. N., Tey, C. S., Nemeth, J., Sutcliffe, A., Ingram, J., & Sharp, W. G. (2024). Quantitative impact of frenotomy on breastfeeding: a systematic review and metaanalysis. Pediatric research, 95(1), 34-42.
      https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-023-02784-y

    • Dydyk A, Milona M, Janiszewska-Olszowska J, Wyganowska M, Grocholewicz K. Influence of Shortened Tongue Frenulum on Tongue Mobility, Speech and Occlusion. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2023; 12(23):7415.
      https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12237415

    • Ghaheri, B. A., Cole, M., Fausel, S. C., Chuop, M., & Mace, J. C. (2016). Breastfeeding improvement following tongue-tie and lip-tie release: A prospective cohort study. The Laryngoscope, n/a-n/a.
      https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.26306

    • Hogan, M., Westcott, C., & Griffiths, M. (2005). Randomized, controlled trial of division of tongue-tie in infants with feeding problems. Journal of paediatrics and child health, 41(5-6), 246–250. Abstract found at
      https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1754.2005.00604.x

    • Khan, Usman., et al. (2020). Comparison of Frenotomy Techniques for the Treatment of Ankyloglossia in Children: A Systematic Review. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.
      https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0194599820917619

    • Segal, L. M., Stephenson, R., Dawes, M., & Feldman, P. (2007). Prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of ankyloglossia: methodologic review [Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review]. Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien, 53(6), 1027-1033.
      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17872781

    • Srinivasan, A., Dobrich, C., Mitnick, H., & Feldman, P. (2006). Ankyloglossia in breastfeeding infants: the effect of frenotomy on maternal nipple pain and latch. Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, 1(4), 216–224.
      https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2006.1.216

Tongue-Tie Release & Resource
(Updated Feb 2025)

Information for parents & professionals.
Places to go for those close to Ottawa.

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© Sonya Boersma, MScN, RN, IBCLC/Lactation Care. Updated February 2025. May be reproduced stating © Sonya Boersma, MScN, RN, IBCLC, Lactation Care

Lactation Care https://lactationcare.ca
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