Tongue-Ties in Teens and Adults: The AirSync Approach
At AirSync, tongue-tie care is never isolated—it is airway-first, data-driven, and designed for lasting success.
Dr. Kimberly Santiago takes a comprehensive approach that begins before any release is considered. A CBCT scan is a critical prerequisite, allowing us to confirm that there is adequate space within the mouth and behind the tongue to support healthy tongue posture after surgery. Without sufficient anatomical space—or without proper tone and functional rehabilitation—a tongue-tie release may fail to deliver long-term benefit.
We do not clip and hope.
Every treatment plan is built around the SANO Method™: Sleep · Airway · Nervous System · Oral Function
Tongue-tie care at AirSync is individualized, precisely sequenced, and fully integrated with myofunctional therapy, laser therapy, and—when indicated—airway orthopedics or orthodontics. This ensures the tongue has both the space and the function needed to succeed.
As the original tongue-tie surgeon in the Pacific Northwest and the first provider of BabyLase® and OraLase® therapy in Washington State, Dr. Santiago brings unmatched experience to every case. Surgical care combines OraLase®, myofunctional therapy, and a hybrid Functional Frenuloplasty approach to create the optimal environment for healing and stability. Using the LightScalpel® laser, releases are performed with exceptional precision, minimal discomfort, and faster recovery.
When performed in the right anatomical and functional context, tongue-tie release can reduce tension, improve mobility, support nasal breathing, enhance oral function, and positively influence sleep, posture, and overall health. Many adults experience both immediate physical relief and a deeper awareness of how a small restriction had been affecting the entire body.
For expert, airway-centered tongue-tie care, AirSync sets the standard in the Pacific Northwest.
Why Addressing a Tongue-Tie Matters—Especially Later in Life
When evaluated and treated properly, addressing a tongue-tie can improve nasal breathing efficiency, support deeper and more restorative sleep, reduce orthodontic relapse, and relieve jaw and neck tension. By allowing the tongue to function as intended, treatment can enhance facial balance and long-term skeletal stability, support healthy nervous system regulation, and improve outcomes of orthodontic, airway, and surgical care. This is not about chasing perfection. It is about restoring the function the body was designed to have.
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It’s never too late to seek treatment if you struggle with breathing, sleep, chewing or swallowing. Schedule an in-person or virtual consultation.