The answer is “It depends…”

We get asked this question via email all the time, and it’s a common question on Facebook groups, or just in clinical practice.

There are three possible diagnoses when you look in the mouth:
1. Normal frenum (if no symptoms, minimal or no restriction, then no treatment is indicated)
2. Symptomatic tongue restriction aka. ankyloglossia or tongue-tie (if symptoms and are restriction present, then treatment is indicated)
3. Asymptomatic tongue restriction (no symptoms, but appears restricted – just monitor – it has to be causing problems to be considered a “tie”)

That being said, don’t diagnose over FB or email.

Evaluate the patient in person, do a full assessment of related symptoms, and then make your diagnosis.

To learn more about tongue-ties download our book Tongue-Tied for free.