Because Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs) can create long-lasting structural changes to the musculoskeletal system, a multidisciplinary approach is vital in the success of lip and tongue tie revisions.
For this reason, our team consists of experienced professionals, collectively possessing a broad range of knowledge and skills across multiple disciplines, that work together to provide the best possible care for our patients.
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY (CST)
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system known as the craniosacral system. CranioSacral therapists can locate areas that are restricted and/or unbalanced as a result of strain on the system due to limitations caused by tethered oral tissue. Also, tethered oral tissues tend to be a manifestation of tension patterns throughout the body.
Using a very light touch, between zero to one gram for an infant, the therapist assists the body in gaining its full range of motion for optimal function. CST can be effective in both releasing the tension that is contributing to the tethering of oral tissues, as well as releasing the tension that remains after a restriction is released, restoring the central nervous system to optimal performance.
INFANT OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
An occupational therapist can play an important role in the comprehensive assessment on how tongue and lip ties are affecting you baby. They can assess oral motor patterns, swallow and feeding functions, developmental skills, and sensory systems.
Pre- Frenectomy Therapy is very important because it will acclimate your baby to oral motor activities occurring consistently in the mouth. It maximizes the baby’s range of motion and releases tension in their face and throughout their body.
Post- Frenectomy Therapy targets the movement of sucking, swallowing, and breathing. It also facilitates improved motor movements such as tongue lateralization (side to side), tongue cupping, lips seal and tongue elevation; all of which are movements necessary for optimal feeding and development.
TODDLERS AND CHILDREN ORAL MOTOR AND SPEECH THERAPY
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When it comes to children 1 year and older, we work with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) to help ensure your child's speech and feeding skills can develop appropriately. Children need adequate range of motion of their tongue, lips and cheeks to be able to safely eat a variety of foods, and to produce speech sounds.
Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs) often cause difficulties with chewing, swallowing, and speech. Therefore, a frenectomy should be combined with therapy both prior to and post-procedure.
Oral Motor Therapy can help retrain the muscles of the cheeks, lips, and tongue to create new motor pathways. Hence, therapy involves exercises and techniques for strengthening the tongue and surrounding muscles to work together. Oral Motor Therapy is of paramount importance to achieve optimal results for correct feeding, chewing, swallowing, breathing, speech, and jaws development.
INTERNATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED LACTATION CONSULTANT (IBCLC)
When a tongue tie contributes to a baby’s feeding difficulty, it can result in nipple trauma, clogged ducts, mastitis, and changes in milk supply. Working with an International Board Certified Lactation consultant before and after a revision provides comfort with feeding, protects milk supply, and ensures your baby is getting the milk they need.
Before a revision, your IBCLC will check to see how much milk baby is transferring at the breast and ensure latch and position are optimal for comfort. They will also prepare your milk supply and create a plan of care for pumping, incorporating alternative feeding methods as needed.
After a revision, follow-ups with your IBCLC will allow you to track progress with milk transfer, monitor milk supply, and help you to move toward your feeding goals.
OROFACIAL MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) retrains the muscles of the face and mouth to eliminate behaviors and habits that cause structural and functional issues We call these behaviors Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs).
OMT is an exercise based treatment – customized by age and needs – used to correct the improper function and positioning of the tongue, jaw and facial muscles. OMT can improve breathing, sleeping, eating and speaking patterns when therapy goals are achieved.