Reviewed by Dr. Allison Hamada, Orthodontist. LSU School of Dentistry, orthodontic residency at Columbia University, practicing since 2004.
Looking for tongue tie treatment in New Orleans? Hamada Orthodontics evaluates tongue ties in children, teens, and adults at our Metairie, Luling, and Destrehan offices.
Dr. Allison Hamada looks past the tissue under the tongue. She checks how the tongue moves and rests, how wide the palate is, how the bite is developing, and how you or your child breathes.
Our Approach to Tongue Tie Treatment in New Orleans
If you’ve been reading about tongue ties, you’ve probably heard two very different stories. One says it’s no big deal. The other says snip it and move on.
We look at a third piece most families never hear about. A tongue that can’t rise and rest in the roof of the mouth can’t do its part in shaping the upper jaw, and a narrow jaw can crowd both the teeth and the airway for years.
Although tongue-tie care is not part of our airway orthodontics in New Orleans, tongue restrictions are frequently the cause of orthodontic problems. As a result, Dr. Hamada can identify when the tongue isn’t able to rest in the palate and can refer you to the appropriate care providers, usually after some of the orthodontic treatment is done. Every exam starts with one question: can this person nasal breathe well?
Tongue-tie care often focuses on the frenulum alone. Our orthodontic and airway evaluation also looks at the space and habits around it.
- We check how far the tongue moves and how well it functions.
- We look at whether the palate has enough room for the tongue to rest where it should.
- When the palate is too narrow, we start by making room with expansion.
- We bring in myofunctional therapy to retrain the tongue and facial muscles for that new space.
- We coordinate a release only when function calls for it, then align the teeth and hold the results.
That way the space, the tie, and the habits get addressed together, in the right order.
What a Tongue Tie Is, and Why It Matters Past Infancy
An anterior tongue tie (ankyloglossia) happens when the band of tissue under the tongue, called the lingual frenulum, is short, tight, or attached too far forward. It limits how high and how far the front part of the tongue can move. A posterior tongue tie happens when the tissues deep underneath the tongue are restricted. It limits how high and how far the back part of the tongue can move.
Most tongue-tie information is written for new parents working through breastfeeding. That matters. But a tie that isn’t caught in infancy doesn’t go away. It shows up differently as a child grows.
The tongue is supposed to rest against the roof of the mouth, day and night.
That steady, gentle pressure is one of the forces that widens the upper jaw during growth.
When a tie holds the tongue low, the palate can grow narrow and high. A narrow palate also means a narrower nasal floor, which can make breathing through the nose harder.
That’s why a tongue tie is an orthodontic question, not only a surgical one.
Signs of a Tongue Tie at Every Age
Tongue ties rarely announce themselves. Parents usually notice the side effects first. Here’s what we look for.
| Age | What you might notice | What may be going on underneath |
|---|---|---|
| Toddlers and young kids | Mouth breathing, snoring, restless sleep, gagging on textures, speech sounds that are hard to correct | Low tongue posture while the palate is still forming |
| School-age kids | Crowded teeth, a narrow smile, bedwetting past the expected age, trouble focusing, dark circles under the eyes | Sleep disruption that may be linked to a narrow upper jaw and airway |
| Teens | Tongue thrust when swallowing, open-mouth posture, crowding that comes back after braces | The tongue pushing on the teeth instead of resting on the palate |
| Adults | Jaw tension, clenching or grinding, neck and shoulder tightness, snoring, morning headaches, teeth shifting after orthodontics | Years of the jaw and muscles compensating for a restricted tongue |
A quick check you can try at home. Open wide and try to touch the tip of the tongue to the roof of the mouth, just behind the top front teeth.
If the tongue can’t get there with the mouth wide open, or the tip pulls into a heart or V shape, it’s worth an evaluation. This check doesn’t diagnose anything. It tells you whether a closer look makes sense.
Parents notice it first
This mom saw her child grinding their teeth and not sleeping well, two signs we ask every family about.
Watch on FacebookTongue Ties in Kids: Why Expansion Often Comes First
Kids’ jaws are still growing, so we can guide that growth instead of working against it. That window doesn’t stay open forever. The seam in the middle of the palate that lets a traditional expander work starts to fuse in the early teen years.
Waiting isn’t neutral here. Every year a tongue sits low is another year the upper jaw grows around that posture.
For many children, the first step isn’t the release. It’s making room. A palate expander widens the upper jaw so the tongue has somewhere to go once it’s free.
Without that space, a released tongue can still end up resting low simply because there’s no room at the top.
Early treatment is often part of a Phase 1 orthodontics plan. If your child also snores or breathes through the mouth, our guides on why kids snore and mouth breathing and ADHD-like symptoms go deeper.
Four years old and snoring
A young patient whose snoring changed once a palate expander gave the upper jaw room to grow.
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Adult Tongue Tie Treatment in New Orleans
Plenty of adults learn about their tongue tie in their 30s, 40s, or later. It usually comes up after years of jaw pain, grinding, or teeth that moved after braces.
An adult jaw has finished growing, but that doesn’t leave you without options. Dr. Hamada offers palatal expansion for adults, including MARPE, which can widen the upper jaw even after the seam in the middle of the palate has fused.
If jaw pain or tension is your main concern, TMJ and myofunctional therapy works on the muscle side. If grinding is keeping you up, see how to stop teeth grinding.
And if your teeth drifted after braces, tongue posture is often one of the factors behind it. We cover that in our page on orthodontic relapse in adults.
Why a Tongue Tie Release Alone Often Isn’t Enough
A release, also called a frenectomy or frenotomy, frees the tongue. It doesn’t teach the tongue where to rest, and it doesn’t widen a jaw that already grew narrow.
| Release on its own | Release as part of a coordinated plan |
|---|---|
| The tissue is freed | The tissue is freed at the right point in treatment |
| The tongue may keep resting low out of habit | Myofunctional therapy trains a new resting posture before and after |
| A narrow palate stays narrow | Expansion creates room for the tongue on the roof of the mouth |
| Scar tissue can tighten without follow-up exercises | Exercises and check-ins help the new range of motion stick |
| Teeth can still crowd or shift | Orthodontics and retention hold the new position |
Not every tie needs a release. That decision depends on how the tongue functions, not only on how the tissue looks.
What to Expect, Step by Step
- Free evaluation.Dr. Hamada checks tongue range, resting posture, palate width, bite, and breathing habits. We’ll ask questions some families don’t expect, like whether your child still wets the bed or wakes up tired.
- A clear explanation.We take orthodontic records and walk you through what we see, so you understand how the tie has affected the jaw and airway.
- Expansion when the palate is narrow.This is often the first step. For kids, that usually means a palate expander. For adults, MARPE may be an option.
- Myofunctional therapy.We work alongside myofunctional therapists like Bloom Therapy Group, a New Orleans practice, to train the tongue and the muscles around it to use the new space.
- A release timed to the plan.If a release is recommended, it’s scheduled so the tongue has space and training in place. We coordinate with the release provider and, when needed, your pediatrician, ENT, or sleep physician.
- Orthodontics, retention, and follow-up.Braces or clear aligners finish the bite when needed, and we keep an eye on tongue posture and jaw position so results hold.
One Family’s Story
“My 7 year old son has a tongue tie and the first step to fix it was to start with the palate expander. Dr. Hamada had asked us if he still wet the bed sometimes and he did. After getting the palate expander, he stopped wetting the bed. He is very, very active and has calmed down some also after. The palate expander is more than just a wider palate, it helped improve his sleep and behavior too.”
Most parents don’t connect bedwetting or restless behavior to the mouth. Poor sleep can be a contributing factor in both, and breathing or airway problems can be among the reasons sleep suffers. That’s why Dr. Hamada asks.
Every child is different, and results vary from patient to patient. What we can promise is a careful look at the whole picture.
Why New Orleans Families Choose Dr. Hamada for Tongue Tie Care
Dr. Hamada looks at how the jaw affects breathing for every patient, whether you came in for a tongue tie, braces, or Invisalign.
She trained at LSU School of Dentistry, completed her orthodontic residency at Columbia University, and has practiced since 2004.
Dr. Hamada came to this work through her daughter Sophia, whose sleep and breathing struggles didn’t go away with conventional orthodontic care.
Consultations are free, same-day starts are available, and we offer flexible payment plans.
We work with myofunctional therapists, ENTs, sleep physicians, and other providers so the tongue, jaw, and airway are treated together.
“Great staff! My son enjoyed his experience at Hamada Orthodontics. Dr. Hamada was faced with a few challenges with my son’s teeth and handled each obstacle with great care. My son and I are gonna miss the ladies here and we will be forever grateful for his new smile.”
Reviewed by Dr. Allison Hamada, Orthodontist. LSU School of Dentistry, orthodontic residency at Columbia University, practicing since 2004.
Tongue Tie Evaluations in Metairie, Luling, and Destrehan
Families come to us from across New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, St. Charles Parish, and the River Parishes. All three offices are open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM. Learn more about all of our Greater New Orleans orthodontic offices.
Metairie office
123 Metairie Rd, Metairie, LA 70005Close to New Orleans, Old Metairie, Harahan, River Ridge, and the rest of Jefferson Parish.Monday to Thursday: 8:00 AM to 4:45 PMLuling office
118 Lakewood Dr, Luling, LA 70070Serving the west bank of St. Charles Parish, including Boutte, Hahnville, and Des Allemands.Monday to Thursday: 8:00 AM to 4:45 PMDestrehan office
131 Ormond Center Ct, Destrehan, LA 70047Convenient for St. Rose, Norco, LaPlace, and the River Parishes corridor.Monday to Thursday: 8:00 AM to 4:45 PMTongue Tie FAQs for New Orleans Families
Where can I get a tongue tie evaluation in New Orleans?
Hamada Orthodontics offers free tongue tie evaluations for kids and adults at our Metairie, Luling, and Destrehan offices. Dr. Hamada checks tongue movement, resting posture, palate width, and breathing habits, then explains what the tie has changed and what to do next.
Does every tongue tie need to be released?
No. Some ties limit function and some don’t. Dr. Hamada looks at how the tongue moves and rests, how the jaw has grown, and what symptoms are showing up before recommending a release.
Can a tongue tie affect jaw growth?
It can. Tongue posture is one of the factors that shapes the upper jaw as a child grows. When a tie holds the tongue low, the palate can develop narrow and high, which can crowd the teeth and narrow the nasal passages.
Why would an orthodontist start with a palate expander for a tongue tie?
A released tongue needs room to rest on the roof of the mouth. If the palate is narrow, expanding it first gives the tongue a place to go. That’s why many of our tongue-tie patients start with expansion and myofunctional therapy before a release.
Can adults have a tongue tie?
Yes. Many adults find out later in life, often after jaw pain, grinding, snoring, or teeth shifting after braces. Adult options can include myofunctional therapy, MARPE expansion, orthodontics, and a coordinated release when it’s recommended.
Can a tongue tie cause snoring or sleep apnea?
A restricted tongue and a narrow upper jaw can be contributing factors to snoring and sleep-disordered breathing. Dr. Hamada doesn’t diagnose or treat sleep apnea. She identifies the jaw and tongue issues involved and works with your physician when sleep testing is needed.
Is a tongue tie linked to bedwetting?
Bedwetting has many causes. Disrupted sleep can be a contributing factor, and a narrow airway can disrupt sleep. Dr. Hamada asks about bedwetting because it can hint at how well a child is really sleeping.
What does myofunctional therapy do for a tongue tie?
Myofunctional therapy is a set of exercises that trains the tongue, lips, and face muscles to rest and move correctly. Done before and after a release, it helps the tongue use its new range of motion and supports long-term orthodontic results.
How much does tongue tie treatment cost?
It depends on what your plan includes, such as therapy, expansion, orthodontics, or a release. Your first evaluation at Hamada Orthodontics is free, and we’ll walk you through costs and payment plan options before anything starts.
Find Out What Your Tongue Tie Is Affecting
Maybe you’re worried about your child’s breathing, sleep, speech, or a bite that’s coming in crowded. Maybe you’re an adult who has lived with jaw tension, grinding, or teeth that shifted after braces.
Either way, you don’t have to keep guessing. At your free evaluation, Dr. Hamada will check whether the tie is limiting function, whether there’s enough room for the tongue, and what, if anything, needs treatment.
You’ll leave with a straight answer and a plan that fits your family, so you can stop wondering and start moving toward easier breathing, better rest, and a bite that stays put.
