The Significance of Myofunctional Therapy Before & After a Tongue Tie Release (Frenectomy)
- Ashley Roberts
- May 11
- 3 min read
When a tongue, lip, or cheek tie restricts movement, it can affect many aspects of daily life, from breastfeeding and speech to dental health and breathing. Frenectomy, the surgical release of these ties, often provides relief. Yet, surgery alone does not guarantee full recovery or optimal function. This is where myofunctional therapy plays a crucial role. It prepares the muscles before surgery and retrains them afterward to ensure lasting benefits.
Understanding why myofunctional therapy is important before and after a frenectomy can help patients and caregivers make informed decisions and improve outcomes.
Close-up of tongue showing tight frenulum before frenectomy
What Is a Frenectomy and Why Is It Done?
A frenectomy is a minor surgical procedure that releases a tight or restrictive frenulum. The frenulum is a small fold of tissue that connects the tongue, lip, or cheek to the floor of the mouth or gums. When this tissue is too tight or short, it is called a tongue tie (ankyloglossia), lip tie, or cheek tie.
These ties can cause:
Difficulty breastfeeding in infants due to poor latch
Speech problems such as lisps or unclear articulation
Dental issues like gaps between teeth or gum recession
Problems with swallowing and chewing
Mouth breathing and many related sleep disturbances
Posture imbalance, forward head posture, rolled forward shoulders, sereve cases it can impact walking (toe-tip walking), running, weight lifting, etc.
Releasing the tie surgically can improve mobility and reduce these problems. However, without proper muscle retraining, the tongue and facial muscles may not function correctly even after surgery.
What Is Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy focused on the muscles of the face, mouth, tongue, and throat. It involves exercises and techniques designed to:
Strengthen weak muscles
Improve muscle coordination and posture
Correct improper swallowing and breathing patterns
Promote proper tongue resting position and movement
Therapists work with patients to retrain these muscles to function optimally, which supports better oral health, speech, and breathing.
Why Myofunctional Therapy Is Essential Before Frenectomy
Preparing the muscles before surgery sets the stage for a smoother recovery and better results. Here’s why:
1. Identifying Muscle Patterns and Dysfunction
Before surgery, a myofunctional therapist evaluates how the tongue, lips, and cheeks move and function. This assessment helps identify compensatory habits developed due to the tie, such as:
Using the jaw or lips instead of the tongue for swallowing
Mouth breathing instead of nasal breathing
Poor tongue posture resting low in the mouth
Understanding these patterns allows the therapist to tailor exercises that prepare the muscles for change.
2. Improving Muscle Strength and Flexibility
Tight or restricted muscles may be weak or stiff. Pre-surgery therapy can gently stretch and strengthen these muscles, making the surgical release less traumatic and reducing the risk of scar tissue tightening afterward. Coordination of the tongue is crucial before releasing the tissue.
3. Enhancing Patient Cooperation and Awareness
At any age or stage of your life, myofunctional therapy before surgery helps build awareness of tongue and lip movements. This awareness makes it easier for patients to follow post-surgery exercises and adapt to new muscle function.
Why Myofunctional Therapy Is Crucial After Frenectomy
Surgery frees the tissue but does not automatically restore normal muscle function. Post-surgery therapy is vital for:
1. Preventing Reattachment and Scar Tissue Formation
After frenectomy, the tissue can heal tightly again if the muscles do not move correctly. Myofunctional exercises encourage proper movement and stretching, reducing the chance of reattachment.
2. Retraining Muscle Patterns
The brain needs to relearn how to use the tongue, lips, and cheeks without the restriction. Therapy helps establish new muscle habits, such as:
Correct tongue resting position against the roof of the mouth
Proper swallowing with the tongue pressing upward, not pushing forward
Nasal breathing instead of mouth breathing
3. Improving Speech and Feeding
Many patients experience improved speech clarity and easier feeding after therapy. Exercises target specific muscle groups involved in articulation and chewing. If there are continued speech concerns after the procedure, you will be referred to an SLP.
4. Supporting Overall Oral Health
Proper muscle function supports jaw development, teeth alignment, and airway health. Therapy helps maintain these benefits long term.
Comments