📍 Serving Indiana & the Midwest 📞 (765) 204-1676 ✓ Infants Through Adults · Book a Consultation
◆ More Than a Snip

The Functional Frenectomy: Release, Then Retrain

Most tongue-tie procedures stop at the cut. Ours pairs a gentle laser release with CMDI functional therapy — so the tongue actually learns to move correctly.

👶 Infants through adults
🔦 Gentle laser release

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Why "Functional" Matters

A Release Alone Often Isn't Enough

Cutting the tie removes the restriction — but after a lifetime of compensating, the tongue still has to learn how to move correctly. That's the difference between a basic frenectomy and a functional one.

A Basic Frenectomy

Release Only
  • The tie is cut — and that's it
  • No retraining of movement
  • Compensations can persist
  • Higher chance of reattachment or relapse
  • Function may not fully improve

Our Functional Frenectomy

Release + Retrain
  • Gentle, precise laser release
  • CMDI functional therapy to retrain movement
  • Addresses the compensations, not just the tie
  • Supports proper healing & reduces relapse risk
  • Aims for real functional improvement
How It Works

Two Halves of One Result

A functional frenectomy is two coordinated parts working together — the release, and the retraining that makes it stick.

Part 1

The Gentle Laser Release

Using a precise laser (Fotona), we release the tongue-tie or lip-tie in a way that's minimally invasive and well-tolerated — for infants and adults alike.

Precise · Minimally Invasive
Part 2

CMDI Functional Therapy

This is what makes it functional. Our CMDI approach guides the retraining of tongue and muscle movement, so the newly released tongue learns to function correctly and the result lasts.

The Difference-Maker
Who We Help

Infants Through Adults

Tongue and lip restrictions can affect people at every age — in different ways. We tailor care to the person in front of us.

👶

Infants

  • Difficulty latching
  • Clicking while feeding
  • Poor weight gain
  • Reflux-like symptoms
  • Tired/frustrated feeding
🧒

Children

  • Speech difficulties
  • Picky/messy eating
  • Mouth breathing
  • Airway & sleep concerns
  • Dental crowding patterns
🧑

Teens & Adults

  • Speech & articulation
  • Jaw & neck tension
  • Mouth breathing & airway
  • Difficulty with certain foods
  • Tied to TMJ / airway care
Why Highland Creek

A Functional Approach Few Offer

Combining laser release with CMDI functional therapy — for all ages — is rare across the Midwest. Families and adults travel to Lafayette from across Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky for it.

🔗

Release + Retrain

We don't stop at the cut. The CMDI functional component is built into the care, not optional.

🫁

Airway-Aware

We connect tongue function to breathing, sleep, and development — part of our broader airway focus.

🤝

Team-Friendly

We coordinate with lactation consultants, speech therapists, and bodyworkers when helpful.

Common Questions

Functional Frenectomy FAQs

What is a functional frenectomy?

It's more than simply releasing a tongue-tie or lip-tie. It pairs a gentle release with functional therapy — guided by our CMDI approach — so the tongue and lips actually learn to move and function correctly afterward. Addressing both the restriction and the movement pattern supports better, longer-lasting results.

Why isn't releasing the tie enough on its own?

After years (or a lifetime) of compensating for a restriction, the tongue often hasn't learned to move correctly. Releasing the tie removes the restriction, but functional therapy helps retrain proper movement and coordination — which is why a functional frenectomy pairs the two.

Do you treat infants as well as older children and adults?

Yes. We see infants (often for feeding and latch concerns) as well as older children and adults, where tongue or lip restrictions can affect speech, eating, mouth breathing, and airway development. Care is tailored to age and goals.

How is the release performed?

We use a gentle laser (Fotona) for the release, which is precise and minimally invasive. The functional therapy component is then guided by our CMDI approach to support correct movement and healing.

Do you work with my lactation consultant or speech therapist?

Yes — we're glad to coordinate with lactation consultants, speech-language pathologists, and bodyworkers. A team approach often produces the best functional outcome.

Release It — and Make It Work.

Book your consultation. We'll evaluate the restriction and explain how the functional approach can help — at any age.

Request a Consultation →
or call us directly at (765) 204-1676
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