Surgery may be necessary to correct tongue-tie in infants, children, or adults if the condition is causing problems. Surgical procedures include either frenectomy or frenectomy.

Frenectomy

A simple surgical procedure called frenectomy can be performed with or without anesthesia in a hospital nursery or doctor's office.

The doctor examines the frenulum, which is restricting tongue movement, and then uses sterile scissors to release it. The procedure is quick, and discomfort is minimal because there are few nerve endings or blood vessels in the frenulum.

If any bleeding occurs, it will usually be just a drop or two. After the procedure, the baby can breastfeed immediately.

A more extensive procedure called frenulum reconstruction may be recommended if further repair is needed, or if a frenotomy is not possible because the frenulum is too thick.

Frenal reconstruction is performed under general anesthesia using surgical instruments. After the frenulum is released, the incision is usually closed with sutures that are absorbed naturally as the tongue heals.

Potential complications of frenulum reconstruction are rare, as with a frenotomy—bleeding, infection, or damage to the tongue or salivary glands. Due to the more extensive nature of the procedure, scarring or reactions to the anesthesia are possible.