Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs), or oral restrictions such as tongue tie, are congenital abnormalities in which the oral frenula are too tight, too short, too thick or sits in an atypical location. TOTs are one form of an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs), and cause atypical, adaptive patterns that may impact airway, sleep, feeding, speech, feeding and swallowing.
Recent research by Diercks et al. (2020) and Hill (2024) point out that not all identified oral restrictions are the sole cause for infant feeding difficulties and the media has scrutinized the evidence and efficacy behind an increase in frenectomies. The first part of this class will review the literature and analyze the current state of why we are seeing an increase in frenectomies and what research is available to support or negate surgery.
After research is explored, Robyn will discuss her parent friendly “release readiness” protocol that discussed important factors in determining when patients have the sensory-motor and self-regulation factors to successfully undergo frenectomy or frenotomy. Although ASHA (n.d.) stated speech-language language pathologists do not determine surgery, they are often the key professionals in determining functional implications, medical necessity and release readiness by measuring how the patient responds to pre-operative interventions. Other licensed allied health professionals such as bodyworkers (ex. Physical and occupational therapists), also play an important role in ensuring a patient is ready to maximize the treatment outcomes from frenectomy/frenotomy/frenuloplasty.
Release readiness is based on age and cognitive status of the patient, medical stability, parent/caregiver training and response to intervention. Discussions on sensory processing and regulation, caregiver training goal establishment and service delivery models will be discussed.
This course is a part of Robyn’s MYOTools series and can be taken in conjunction with any of these MYOTools courses and /or TOTs courses offered by TalkTools®. The course is appropriate for parents, caregivers and all professionals on the TOTs care team.
Event Information
Course Description
Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs), or oral restrictions such as tongue tie, are congenital abnormalities in which the oral frenula are too tight, too short, too thick or sits in an atypical location. TOTs are one form of an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs), and cause atypical, adaptive patterns that may impact airway, sleep, feeding, speech, feeding and swallowing.
Recent research by Diercks et al. (2020) and Hill (2024) point out that not all identified oral restrictions are the sole cause for infant feeding difficulties and the media has scrutinized the evidence and efficacy behind an increase in frenectomies. The first part of this class will review the literature and analyze the current state of why we are seeing an increase in frenectomies and what research is available to support or negate surgery.
After research is explored, Robyn will discuss her parent friendly “release readiness” protocol that discussed important factors in determining when patients have the sensory-motor and self-regulation factors to successfully undergo frenectomy or frenotomy. Although ASHA (n.d.) stated speech-language language pathologists do not determine surgery, they are often the key professionals in determining functional implications, medical necessity and release readiness by measuring how the patient responds to pre-operative interventions. Other licensed allied health professionals such as bodyworkers (ex. Physical and occupational therapists), also play an important role in ensuring a patient is ready to maximize the treatment outcomes from frenectomy/frenotomy/frenuloplasty.
Release readiness is based on age and cognitive status of the patient, medical stability, parent/caregiver training and response to intervention. Discussions on sensory processing and regulation, caregiver training goal establishment and service delivery models will be discussed.
This course is a part of Robyn’s MYOTools series and can be taken in conjunction with any of these MYOTools courses and /or TOTs courses offered by TalkTools®. The course is appropriate for parents, caregivers and all professionals on the TOTs care team.
Learning Outcomes
- List 3 factors that indicate readiness for a frenectomy.
- State which professional ultimately determines the necessity for a release.
- List one way to avoid oral sensory aversion post release.
Webinar Details
Registration Fees
- $150 0.2 ASHA CEUs, digital workbook & certificate of completion.
Schedule
Timed Agenda
CEUs
Content Disclosure: This presentation will focus on treatment methods related to the use of TalkTools® resources. Other similar treatment approaches will receive limited or no coverage during this lecture.
TalkTools® Training Policies
Getting You Tech-Ready for Your TalkTools® Course
Images copyrighted and published by TalkTools®. No copyright infringement intended with any other images displayed; similar content appears elsewhere on the internet