I am a dentist committed to being a Perth leader in the team approach to the release of tongue-ties.
Dr Lim shares why she was driven to become involved in releasing tongue-ties.
As one of Australia’s first dentists to qualify in dental sleep medicine, I have been involved in managing adult snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea with dental devices that help open the airway during sleep.
They are often an effective band-aid solution, but managing tongue-ties (particularly during infancy and childhood) offers a greater opportunity to address these problems at a root level.
Small jaws are a known risk factor for the development of obstructive sleep apnoea. Breastfeeding is the single factor we can modify most in the first year of life to encourage the jaws and airway structures to grow to their full potential. Yet tongue ties are sometimes a hidden source of breastfeeding problems and early cessation of breastfeeding.
Growing research now links untreated tongue ties with the development of narrow palates. As the palate is the floor of the nose, this by definition means narrower nasal airways. Smaller jaw structures also mean less support for the airway. This increase airway collapsibility which increases the risk of obstructive sleep apnoea.
When the tongue's movements are restricted, it may not elevate sufficiently to rest properly in the roof of the mouth. With years of disuse, the back of the tongue may lose tone and block the airway during sleep. Over time, this can cause a cascade of other health problems.
As I have sought continuing education in this field over the years, I have become aware of a greater multitude of problems that are linked to restricted tongue function. I have also seen the potential of a simple procedure make a dramatic difference to people who have had no relief with traditional avenues of treatment.
Dr Lim's training in tongue tie releases
Dr Lim completed dental school at the University of Western Australia (UWA) in 1999. She completed her Graduate Diploma in Dental Sleep Medicine through UWA in 2013.
She has received training from multiple world leaders in tongue-tie release for infants. These include:
Dr Larry Kotlow
Pioneer of laser release of infant tongue-ties
Performed over 30,000 releases
2015 Frenum Surgery Masterclass
2017 In office-observation in Albany, NY
Dr Marjan Jones and Dr Dan Hanson
Educators at the Tongue Tie Institute (Brisbane, QLD)
2016 Foundation and Advanced Tongue Tie Courses
2016 In office observation at Enhance Dental, Brisbane
Dr Eyal Boltzer
Head of Paediatric Dentistry in Tel Aviv Medical Centre, Israel
Performed over 15,000 releases
2017 Restricted Lingual Frenulum Surgery and Management Workshop
Dr Martin Kaplan
Co-Author of the Color Atlas of Infant Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie Laser Frenectomy
2017 Paediatric Tongue and Lip Ties: Diagnosis and Treatment with Soft Tissue Lasers (3 Day expanded course) at Tufts University, Boston
Dr Lim is a Member of the Academy of Applied Myofunctional Sciences (AAMS), a leading organisation promoting research and awareness of a team approach to care oral dysfunction.
She is interested to hear from any other Perth health professionals who want to know more or are interested in collaborating to ensure optimal outcomes for patients.
A holistic approach to releases
Complementary to the release procedure, Dr Lim has training in myofunctional orthodontics and myofunctional therapy to help restore normal tongue posture and function. This includes:
The Comprehensive 28 hour introductory course on Myofunctional Therapy with Joy Moeller, Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
The Comprehensive 28 hour introductory course in Orofacial Myology with Sandra Coulson, Coulson Institute
Various courses in myofunctional orthodontics with Dr John Flutter and Dr German Ramirez
A 2 year Mini-Residency in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthodontics with Dr Derek Mahony