Infants may struggle with latching, feeding or weight gain. Older children may have unclear speech, difficulty swallowing, or chronic mouth breathing. An in-person evaluation confirms it.
Oral Function & Airway Care
Tongue Tie Release
A restricted lingual frenulum limits tongue movement and can affect feeding, speech and airway growth. Tongue tie evaluation and release for infants, children and adults across Raleigh, Cary and Durham.
TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of Raleigh-Durham
What Is Tongue Tie?
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) occurs when a restricted lingual frenulum limits normal tongue mobility. In infants that disrupts latching and feeding; in older children and adults it alters oral posture, speech and airway space.
“Restricted tongue mobility may contribute to oropharyngeal airway narrowing and sleep-disordered breathing.”
That airway link is why we assess tongue tie alongside TMJ disorder and sleep-disordered breathing. Dr. Charles Ferzli evaluates tongue mobility, feeding, speech and jaw growth for families across Raleigh, Cary and Durham.
What Causes Tongue Tie
Congenital Restriction
Present at birth, when the lingual frenulum fails to recede or thin out.
Tight or Thick Tissue
Restrictive tissue limits tongue elevation, forward movement, or side-to-side mobility.
Associated Oral Restrictions
Lip ties or other connective tissue restrictions may accompany tongue tie.
Family History
Tongue tie may run in families due to genetic predispositions.
Tongue Tie Release in Raleigh & Cary
Tongue tie is routinely missed. Feeding trouble gets blamed on colic or technique, a snip without follow-up therapy never restores full mobility, and waiting it out lets compensating habits set in. We treat the restriction and the function together.
Comprehensive Evaluation
We assess tongue mobility, feeding, speech, airway health and jaw growth to determine whether a release is needed.
Tongue Tie Release
A quick, gentle frenectomy restores tongue movement with minimal discomfort, for infants, children and adults.
Rehabilitation
Myofunctional therapy and feeding support ensure proper healing, function and long-term results.
Our Approach
Why Choose Us?
Tongue Tie is one of the specialized services we provide at the TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of Raleigh-Durham. Our focus is on identifying the root causes behind your symptoms and delivering safe, non-surgical solutions that support long-term health and comfort.
Your First Step Toward Relief Starts Here
Start with a Simple TMJ and Sleep Screening
Do You Have TMJ?
Take our quick 2-minute assessment to find out if your symptoms may be related to TMJ disorder.
Take TMJ Quiz
Sleep Apnea Risk?
Discover if your snoring, fatigue, or restless sleep could indicate sleep apnea with this brief screening.
Take Sleep Quiz
Our Commitment
Restore Function, Support Growth
Tongue tie affects more than feeding — it shapes speech, breathing and development. At the TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of Raleigh-Durham we provide gentle, evidence-based release and the follow-up therapy that holds the result.
(919) 323-4242 Message UsTongue Tie Questions
Yes. Beyond infancy, restricted tongue mobility shows up as altered oral posture, swallowing difficulty, jaw tension and disrupted sleep. Adults are treated with release paired with myofunctional therapy.
Yes. Restricted tongue movement can contribute to mouth breathing, poor airway development and sleep-disordered breathing such as pediatric OSA. Releasing the tie often improves sleep and breathing.
Sometimes. Many children benefit from speech or myofunctional therapy after release, to retrain tongue posture, improve articulation and hold the result.