Lingual Frenuloplasty and Myofunctional Therapy: A Thoughtful Approach to Oral Function and Airway Health

Helping feeding, speech, and function take flight for little ones in Santa Barbara.

The connection between tongue mobility and overall oral and airway health is gaining increasing attention in both clinical research and patient care. A 2019 study published in Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology examined the outcomes of lingual frenuloplasty — a procedure to address tongue-tie — when combined with myofunctional therapy. The findings suggest that, for appropriately selected patients, this integrative approach may contribute to improvements in breathing, oral posture, and quality of life.

A baby playfully sticks out their tongue, highlighting progress following a functional frenuloplasty and the benefits of myofunctional therapy.

What Is Lingual Frenuloplasty?

Lingual frenuloplasty is a surgical procedure that releases a restrictive lingual frenulum — more commonly known as a “tongue-tie.” This condition can limit the natural movement of the tongue, contributing to a variety of issues, from poor breastfeeding in infants to sleep-disordered breathing, speech difficulties, and even jaw pain in older children and adults.

What Did the Study Show?

Led by Dr. Soroush Zaghi and a multidisciplinary team, this study evaluated 348 patients who underwent lingual frenuloplasty in combination with myofunctional therapy, which is a specialized set of exercises to retrain oral and facial muscles.

Here are the key takeaways:

• Over 90% of patients reported meaningful improvements in their symptoms

• Minimal complications were noted, confirming the procedure’s safety

• Patients experienced better sleep, reduced mouth breathing, improved speech, and less orofacial pain

Even more promising? These improvements were seen across all age groups — from children to adults.

Why Combine Surgery with Myofunctional Therapy?

Think of myofunctional therapy as physical therapy for your mouth and face. When done before and after the procedure, it:

• Improves surgical outcomes

• Helps retrain tongue posture

• Supports long-term functional benefits

• Minimizes the chance of reattachment or scar tissue

Together, surgery and therapy offer a holistic, patient-centered solution.

Is This Treatment Right for You?

If you or your child experience symptoms like:

• Difficulty breastfeeding (in infants)

• Chronic mouth breathing

• Speech challenges

• Snoring or sleep apnea

• Neck, jaw, or facial tension

...it may be worth exploring whether a tongue-tie is at the root of the issue.

Final Thoughts

This study brings powerful validation to what many patients and providers have already experienced firsthand: Lingual frenuloplasty with myofunctional therapy is a safe, effective, and transformative approach to treating tongue-tie and its widespread effects.

Whether you're a parent, a healthcare professional, or someone simply seeking answers — this could be the missing piece of the puzzle.

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Reference: Zaghi, S., Valcu‐Pinkerton, S., Jabara, M., Norouz‐Knutsen, L., Govardhan, C., Moeller, J., Sinkus, V., Thorsen, R. S., Downing, V., Camacho, M., Yoon, A., Hang, W. M., Hockel, B., Guilleminault, C., & Liu, S. Y.‐C. (2019). Lingual frenuloplasty with myofunctional therapy: Exploring safety and efficacy in 348 cases. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology, 4(5), 489–496. https://doi.org/10.1002/lio2.297