🛡️All Major Dental Insurances Accepted
Children aged 6+ and adults

Tongue-Tie Release for Children & Adults in the City of London

Step 1: Consultation£30

Release from £250 • Electrosurgery • Dr Carlos & Dr Yasha

Call to Book — 020 7183 3709

Phone booking only for this treatment

The City of London

A tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is a short or tight band of tissue under the tongue that restricts its movement. At our EC4 practice, Dr Carlos Stankiewicz and Dr Yasha Shirazi release tongue-ties for children aged 6 and over and for adults using precise electrosurgery — a short procedure under local anaesthetic that typically involves minimal bleeding and a straightforward recovery.

Is a tongue-tie causing:

Difficulty lifting the tongue or sticking it out
Speech sounds that are hard to form (t, d, l, r, s)
Trouble licking lips or clearing food from teeth
Jaw tension, gaps between lower front teeth or gum recession
GDC Registered Dentists
Electrosurgery Technique
CQC Regulated Clinic

Signs of a Restrictive Tongue-Tie

Tick what applies to you or your child:

Tongue-Tie Release Pricing

Clear, fixed pricing. Everyone starts with a consultation so we can confirm the diagnosis and plan the release.

Step 1 — book this first

Tongue-Tie Consultation

£30

Assessment of tongue mobility, frenulum attachment and function, with a clear recommendation and quote. Suitable for children aged 6+ and adults.

  • Functional tongue assessment
  • Discussion of symptoms & goals
  • Confirmation of suitability
  • Written treatment plan & fixed price
20–30 mins
Call to Book — £30
Step 2 — after consultation

Tongue-Tie Release (Lingual Frenectomy)

from £250

Electrosurgery release under local anaesthetic performed by Dr Carlos or Dr Yasha, including aftercare guidance and a review appointment.

  • Local anaesthetic
  • Electrosurgery release
  • Post-operative stretching guidance
  • Follow-up review
30–45 mins

Booked after your consultation with a fixed quote

Final price depends on the complexity of the frenulum and is confirmed in writing at your consultation. Tongue-tie treatment is priced separately and is not included in the 50% membership discount. See our full price list.

Why We Use Electrosurgery

We release tongue-ties with an electrosurgery unit rather than scissors or a scalpel. Here is why that matters for you.

Precise

A fine electrode releases the frenulum exactly where needed, helping to protect surrounding tissue, salivary ducts and nerves.

Minimal Bleeding

The electrode seals small vessels as it works, so bleeding is typically minimal and stitches are often not required.

Short Procedure

The release itself usually takes only a few minutes under local anaesthetic. Patients commonly describe pressure rather than pain, although experiences vary.

Straightforward Recovery

Less tissue trauma than a scissor release generally means a more comfortable recovery. Many patients return to normal eating and speaking within a few days; healing times vary between individuals.

Who Is This Treatment For?

Children aged 6+

Older children whose tongue-tie is affecting speech clarity, eating, oral hygiene or the position of the lower front teeth. Children are able to cooperate with local anaesthetic and aftercare exercises at this age.

Teenagers & Adults

Adults who have lived with a restricted tongue and notice speech, jaw tension, snoring, gum recession or difficulty with everyday activities. A consultation will establish whether a release is clinically appropriate for you.

We do not treat infants (under 6) at this clinic. For babies with feeding difficulties, please speak to your GP, health visitor or an infant feeding specialist.

Your Tongue-Tie Release Journey

1

Consultation (£30)

20–30 mins

Dr Carlos or Dr Yasha examines the tongue, frenulum and how it affects speech, eating and oral health. We confirm whether a release will help and give you a fixed quote.

2

Preparation

Before your visit

For older children and adults we may recommend a few days of tongue exercises beforehand. Any questions are answered and consent is completed.

3

Numbing

5–10 mins

Topical gel followed by a small amount of local anaesthetic so the area is fully numb.

4

Electrosurgery Release

5–10 mins

The tight frenulum is released with a fine electrosurgery electrode. Bleeding is minimal and stitches are rarely required.

5

Aftercare & Review

1–2 weeks later

Simple stretching exercises for 2–4 weeks help the tissue heal with full mobility. We review healing and function at a follow-up visit.

Recovery & Aftercare

Recovery from an electrosurgery release is usually straightforward. Here is what to expect:

  • Mild soreness for 1–3 days — manageable with over-the-counter pain relief
  • A small white/yellow diamond-shaped healing patch under the tongue is normal
  • Soft foods and plenty of fluids for the first 24 hours
  • Gentle tongue stretches several times a day for 2–4 weeks
  • Speech therapy or myofunctional exercises may be recommended for the best functional result
  • Full healing in around 2 weeks

Your Clinicians

Both dentists perform tongue-tie release using electrosurgery.

Risks & Possible Complications

Tongue-tie release is a minor oral surgical procedure and, as with any procedure, carries some risks. These are uncommon and will be discussed with you in full at your consultation before you give consent.

Bleeding — usually minimal with electrosurgery, but possible
Post-operative pain, swelling or discomfort under the tongue for a few days
Infection (rare) — good oral hygiene reduces the risk
Re-attachment or scar tissue if aftercare stretches are not followed, occasionally requiring a further release
Temporary or, very rarely, longer-lasting altered sensation of the tongue
Injury to the salivary ducts or floor-of-mouth structures (rare)
Speech or functional goals may need speech therapy in addition to the release; a release alone does not guarantee a specific outcome

The information on this page is for general guidance and does not replace an individual clinical assessment. Suitability, risks, benefits and alternatives (including no treatment) are discussed at your consultation, and written consent is obtained before any procedure. Individual results vary. Clinical content reviewed by our GDC-registered dental team. St Paul's Medical & Dental is regulated by the Care Quality Commission. If you have a concern, please see our complaints procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

About tongue-tie release for children and adults

A tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) occurs when the lingual frenulum — the band of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth — is unusually short, thick or tight. This limits how far the tongue can lift, extend and move side to side, which can affect speech, eating, oral hygiene and jaw comfort.

Call to Book a £30 Tongue-Tie Consultation

Dr Carlos and Dr Yasha will assess the tongue-tie, explain your options and give you a fixed quote for release (from £250). Children aged 6+ and adults welcome. Appointments for this treatment are booked by phone.

Open Mon–Thu 8am–6pm, Fri 8am–5pm • Near St Pauls, Bank & Barbican stations

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5 Ave Maria Lane, The City of London, EC4M 7AQ

Providing exceptional dental and medical care to the City of London community — 2 minutes from St Paul's station.

Registered. Regulated. Trusted.

At St Paul's Medical & Dental, we are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as Medical and Dental Limited (Provider ID: 1-29171948282), and our clinicians are registered with the relevant UK regulatory bodies, including the GDC and GMC. Our dentists, dental nurses and medical professionals deliver care that meets the highest clinical, safety and ethical standards, because our patients deserve nothing less.

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Visit us at St Paul's

Private dentistry beside St Paul’s Cathedral — 2 minutes from St Paul’s tube and a short walk from Bank, Blackfriars and Barbican. Early appointments from 8am.

5 Ave Maria Lane, The City of London, EC4M 7AQ

Monday8am – 6pm
Tuesday8am – 6pm
Wednesday8am – 6pm
Thursday8am – 6pm
Friday8am – 5pm
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed
St Paul's Medical & Dental clinic shopfront at 5 Ave Maria Lane — watercolour illustration
Insurance Welcome

We Accept All Major Dental Insurances

Use your workplace or personal dental cover with us. We provide itemised receipts and completed claim forms for all major UK insurers — including AXA Health, Aviva, Bupa, Cigna, Vitality, Westfield Health, WPA, Unum, and Boots Dental Plan.

Bupa dental insurance accepted
AXA Health dental insurance accepted
Aviva dental insurance accepted
Cigna dental insurance accepted
Vitality dental insurance accepted
Unum dental insurance accepted
Boots Dental Plan dental insurance accepted
WPA dental insurance accepted
Westfield Health dental insurance accepted

You pay for treatment at the clinic and claim reimbursement from your insurer. Cover levels vary by policy — check your plan details. All insurer names and trademarks belong to their respective owners.

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