Tongue-Tie & Lip-Tie Release

What tongue-tie and lip-tie are

Tongue-tie, known clinically as ankyloglossia, is restricted tongue movement caused by a tight band of tissue beneath the tongue. A lip-tie is the equivalent restriction at the upper lip. Both are present from birth and both are common.

For some babies the restriction makes latching and breastfeeding difficult. In older children it can affect certain tongue movements. For many others it causes no difficulty at all, which is why assessment matters more than the label.

Signs parents notice

Parents most often come to us because feeding is not going well. That can look like a shallow or slipping latch, feeds that take a very long time, a baby who seems hungry soon after finishing, clicking sounds during feeding, or nipple pain and damage that does not settle.

None of these signs confirms a tongue-tie on its own, and all of them have other possible causes. They are a reason to have your baby looked at, not a diagnosis.

How Dr Suran assesses

Not every tongue-tie needs treatment. Dr Suran Rajapakse assesses whether the restriction is clinically significant before recommending anything, looking at how the tongue and upper lip actually move rather than at appearance alone, and taking your account of how feeding is going seriously.

If the assessment finds nothing that warrants release, he will say so. You are welcome to book an assessment purely to find out where you stand.

The release procedure

Where release is appropriate, a frenotomy is performed in clinic. It is a brief procedure on the tight band of tissue, done in the room, with no hospital admission and no general anaesthetic.

Before anything goes ahead, the risks and the aftercare are explained to you in full, and you decide. Dr Suran will not proceed on the day if you would rather take time to think it over.

Aftercare and recovery

Healing usually takes about seven to ten days. You will be shown what to expect, what is normal during healing and what is not, and what to do if you have concerns.

Feeding support afterwards matters as much as the procedure itself. A release changes what is physically possible; it does not by itself retrain a feed, so continuing with your midwife, child health nurse or lactation consultant is part of the plan rather than an afterthought.

Booking an assessment

No referral is needed. You can book online or call the clinic on (02) 6103 3972. We are at Ochre Medical Centre, 10 Hinder St, Gungahlin ACT 2912.

Appointments are with Dr. Suran Rajapakse, the same doctor at every visit, so if your baby needs review after a release you are not starting the story again with someone new.

Cost and Medicare

Fees are confirmed with you before an appointment is made, so there are no surprises on the day. Whether a Medicare rebate applies depends on the service provided and your circumstances, and reception can tell you what to expect when you book.

If assessment finds no release is warranted, you have still had your baby examined by a doctor and had a straight answer, which is usually what parents came for.

Questions parents ask most

Does my baby need a referral? No. You can book directly. Will the assessment hurt? The assessment itself is an examination, not a procedure. Can I feed straight afterwards? Yes, feeding soon after a release is encouraged, and you will be supported to do it in the room.

Will one release fix feeding? Not always on its own. A release changes what the tongue can physically do; the feed itself often still needs support afterwards, and that is normal rather than a sign something went wrong.