Main location- New Tampa
inside Dau Orthodontics
20719 Center Oak Dr.
Tampa, FL 33647
Satellite location- Carrollwood
inside Sweet Tooth Dentistry
3614 Madaca Ln.
Tampa, FL 33618
Elizabeth R. Dy, DMD
her story
Dr. Elizabeth R. Dy struggled to nurse her second-born son in 2019. She looked to her family’s pediatrician with a question about a possible tip tie. The pediatrician looked at her and said, “Yes, he appears to have a lip tie, but he’s a boy. The first time he falls, it will fix itself. I only ever refer out if Mom’s in pain.” Dr. Dy stated that she was in fact in pain and was handed a piece of paper. The pediatrician pointed to some names listed on the referral sheet, “This guy’s an ENT and this guy’s a dentist with a laser.” An experienced laser dentist herself for over 5 years at this point, Dr. Dy thanked the pediatrician for his time, walked across the parking lot to her own general dentistry practice and addressed her son’s lip tie with one of her lasers and the help of her dental assistant.
Months afterwards, her pain returned and her struggles in nursing came back with avengence. Through a group of colleagues online, she realized that her son was also tongue-tied. She recalls walking into her office one morning and stating boldly that she had found her calling- she would learn how to properly diagnose and treat tethered oral tissues so that no moms would feel like their journey had to be cut short because of mis-diagnosis/ “missed diagnosis.” However, the more she learned about tethered oral tissues, craniofacial development, and airway underdevelopment, she realized she couldn’t ignore the adults and children. It is never too late to treat.
Three years later, Dr. Dy has established the Sleep and Breathing Wellness Center in New Tampa. Since that fateful visit with the pediatrician, she has taken hundreds of hours in continuing education on craniofacial development, tethered oral tissues, pediatric and adult sleep disordered breathing, functional breathing, temporomandibular joint disorders, airway-centered oral medicine, and more. She has completed a mini-residency with The Breathe Institute to become one of Dr. Soroush Zaghi’s Breathe Affiliates. She is enrolled in the Pediatric Dental Sleep Medicine mini-residency at her alma mater, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. She has made it her life’s purpose to educate parents and individuals on the dangers of poor oral function, low resting tongue posture, mouth breathing, open mouth resting posture, and sleep disordered breathing such as sleep apnea.
Dr. Dy is working hard to build a community in Tampa Bay, FL of collaborative providers to help patients of all ages live healthier lives through deeper sleep and optimal oral function. She challenges providers to lead patients to those who are better studied in oral dysfunction to answer questions about the possibility of tethered oral tissues.
That conversation would change the way that she practiced dentistry and viewed patients from that point forward.
The origin of
The Sleep and Breathing Wellness Center
I am an airway-centric restorative dentist trained to address tethered oral tissues that may affect the sleep, eating, speech and breathing of patients of ALL ages.
The Sleep and Breathing Wellness Center started as a tongue-tie center within my general dentistry practice, Sweet Tooth Dentistry. After a period of growth, it became apparent that the community needs were greater than I could serve within a traditional dental office.
At that point, a collaborative partner offered space within his large orthodontic office, and The Sleep and Breathing Wellness Center officially broke away from Sweet Tooth Dentistry.
We are located within the New Tampa location of Dau Orthodontics and are proud to have created a space to promote healing and wellness for our community. We understand that the journey of every individual is different. Thus, we offer a variety of non-CPAP options for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing. Most of the time, the recommended treatment will include addressing tethered and/or restrictive oral tissues; however, we are respectful of each individual's choice and provide a variety of options for that very reason.
Relevant
Experience
the breathe institute, affiliate
A TBI Affiliate is an individual who has gone on from becoming an ambassador to apply for and complete The Breathe Institute's Surgical Proctoring Mini-Residency Program. As a TBI affiliate, Dr. Dy has spent multiple hours of 1:1 time with Dr. Soroush Zaghi and has demonstrated a steadfast dedication to patient care by continuing to seek out the latest research and protocols related to tongue-ties, sleep, breathing, and overall wellness.
2022
tongue-tied academy, graduate
A graduate of Dr. Richard Baxter's Tongue-Tied Academy has completed his well-rounded coursework provided online. The coursework includes didactic work, reviews of research, virtual shadowing, and learning evaluations.
2020
the breathe institute-
ambassador & breathe baby ambassador
A member of the TBI Ambassador community is a forward-thinking, airway-focused healthcare professional who has demonstrated passion for ongoing learning through completion of one or more courses through The Breathe Institute.
vivos therapeutics, integrated provider
Completion of hundreds of hours of coursework breaking down the origins of underdeveloped mouthes and jaws and how resulting nasal and dental abnormalities are often the cause of or major contributing factors to sleep and breathing disorders. Dr. Dy is prepared to lead a collaborative team dedicated to addressing such issues to lead the patient on a path toward wellness.
chrysalis orofacial, tots provider
Completion of Tethered Oral Tissues Specialty Training which includes background information on how tethered oral tissues affect oral function for all ages.
pediatric lip and tongue-ties
Completion of multi-disciplinary coursework led by Dr. Marty Kaplan at the University of Texas.
Relevant
Professional Memberships
the breathe institute, affiliate
A TBI Affiliate is an individual who has gone on from becoming an ambassador to apply for and complete The Breathe Institute's Surgical Proctoring Mini-Residency Program. As a TBI affiliate, Dr. Dy has spent multiple hours of 1:1 time with Dr. Soroush Zaghi and has demonstrated a steadfast dedication to patient care by continuing to seek out the latest research and protocols related to tongue-ties, sleep, breathing, and overall wellness.
The AMerican Academy of physiologic medicine and dentistry
The American Academy of Physiological Medicine & Dentistry is the leader in interdisciplinary collaboration and education for optimal airway growth and function.
The AMerican Academy of oral and systemic health
Founded in 2010, The American Academy for Oral Systemic Health is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization of healthcare leaders and health professionals dedicated to expanding awareness of the relationship between oral health and whole body health. AAOSH membership includes and is open to health professionals from many allied health disciplines, corporate supporters and sponsors, health educators, and healthcare leaders.
The AMerican Academy of dental sleep medicine
Dental sleep medicine is an area of dental practice that focuses on the use of oral appliance therapy to treat sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
The international consortium of ankylofrenula professionals
ICAP is an international organization of tongue-tie professionals. Our vision is to promote best practices for the assessment, diagnosis and integrative treatment of restricted oral tissues.
The american laser study club
A study club aimed at professionals dedicated to excelling at efficient and safe application of laser energy in everyday practice.
Dr. Dy has helped my son Khaled with loving and kind care. He is now 8 months and he needed his tongue tie re corrected at 5 months. Dr. Dy’s special training has given her the tools to do a functional release. This was a very different experience than with my daughters release 8 years ago. Rather than just doing a quick laser procedure, Dr. Dy took her time making sure his tongue was where it was supposed to be to allow for proper function while breastfeeding. She is definitely a gem in the Tampa area. Would recommend to my family and friends !
Thank you Dr. Dy and to all the office staff for making me feel like family.
Khadeejah Husnein
So thankful for Dr. Dy and her amazing staff. I knew my newborn had both a lip and tongue tie, which was making it a struggle for her to breastfeed. When I went for the consult at 7 weeks old, Dr. Dy took a look at her mouth and explained everything thoroughly, in a very calming and comforting room. As a mother, it’s an emotional place to be, because you want to spare putting your baby through any procedures, but you also want to make the best decisions for their health. After discussing the current and long term effects that tongue ties can cause, I knew it had to be done. Dr. Dy was very in tune with how this felt as a mother, which also helped ease the stress. They took the baby to another room and came back minutes later- done! She provided a nursing pillow and encouraged me to nurse right away.. I could immediately feel a difference in the baby’s latch. Dr. went over post op stretches which were easy to do, and referred us to a craniosacral therapist to help relieve the tension in baby’s upper body, as well as a lactation specialist to ensure baby was able to learn how to latch properly. Our breastfeeding journey is now going amazing, which is such a relief, ESPECIALLY in these times where there are formula shortages! The tongue tie release will also help avoid speech and breathing issues in the future, so I’m happy we had this done when we did. I wish I knew all of this with my first born, because looking back, he needed it as well. Im so thankful for this team (they are all SO sweet!) and how such a simple procedure has changed our lives!
Jessica Pereira
My In-house Team of therapists
click their photo for their respective pages
Functional Frenuloplasty
The success of our releases is thanks to the Functional Frenuloplasty protocol created by Dr. Soroush Zaghi of The Breathe Institute. This protocol allows for a complete and effective release of tethered oral tissues via the incorporation of a multidisciplinary approach. As a result, we integrate myofunctional therapy (as well as other types of therapy and bodywork when necessary) before, during, and after surgery. We work with myofunctional therapists in our practice, all over Tampa Bay, and all across the nation to accomplish this.
Our tongue-tie release procedure is based on precision: releasing the appropriate extent of tissues for maximal relief; not too much, and not too little. As an Affiliate of The Breathe Institute, Dr. Elizabeth R. Dy was personally trained by Dr. Soroush Zaghi.
The tongue is one of the most critical organs in our bodies as it has the ability to regulate and shape orofacial structure and musculature. The un-tethered mobility of the tongue is required for optimal speech, chewing, swallowing, oral hygiene, and breathing functions, as well as for development of the skeletal structures of the jaw and the airway. Because the tongue plays such an important role in so many functions, restricted mobility of the tongue may lead to compensatory behaviors that may negatively affect nasal breathing and cause snoring due to low tongue posture, or contribute to chronic stress on the other muscles of the head and neck. The tongue also has connections to the whole body through a system of connective tissue known as fascia, and a restrictive tongue may place tension on the fascia networks causing neck tension, pain, and postural dysfunction. The Breathe Institute's functional frenulopasty approach honors the changes that occur during a tongue-tie release and prepares the body for acceptance and optimal healing post-treatment.
Functional Frenuloplasty
Pre-op Questions
Your active participation is important to the post-operative success of your treatment. The following FAQ's will help you know what to expect in the days following surgery and will help to optimize a successful surgical outcome. Please remember that we are aiming to increase the range of motion of your tongue and will need to allow for connective tissue remodeling while simultaneously altering function. Dedication to changing your everyday habits and posture is so important for activating change. Lean on all members of your wellness team. Do not, however, hesitate to call or text us if you have any questions or concerns.
Q: CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE TREATMENT FOR A PATIENT THAT IS TONGUE-TIED? DOES IT HURT?
A: A frenuloplasty is a straightforward outpatient procedure that can be completed in office without the need for general anesthesia. If a release is recommended, the treatment takes less than an hour. Dr. Dy will apply an effective topical anesthetic gel on the frenular tissue underneath the tongue prior to treatment, followed by an injection of lidocaine, allowing for zero-to-minimal discomfort during the procedure. The anesthetic wears off approximately 30-45 minutes after the procedure is completed. For the first several days (occasionally up to 5 days) following surgery, mild-to-moderate discomfort and swelling is to be expected. This can usually be controlled with over-the-counter medication such as Ibuprofen or Advil Dual Action with Acetaminophen. During this time, we recommend keeping talking to a minimum and consuming foods that are soft and cold.
Q: ARE THERE ANY PRE-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS?
A: We encourage you to eat a full meal prior to your procedure. We also encourage getting a good night's sleep the night before. Please refrain from consuming caffeine prior to the procedure. Wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing.
Pre-operative bodywork is extremely powerful and highly recommended.
Functional Frenuloplasty
Pre-op Questions, cont.
Q: WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE PROCEDURE?
A: It is normal to experience some swelling and inflammation in the first 3-5 days after surgery. We recommend using Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Advil Dual Action with Acetaminophen, and/or arnica as needed for the management of discomfort and swelling. Placing an ice cube underneath your tongue and allowing it to melt while you place your tongue in the roof of your mouth and focus on your breath work can also be beneficial. During the first few days, you may find it helpful to have soft, cool foods. You may find it challenging to consume hot or spicy foods, or foods that require a lot of chewing. Please review out detailed post-operative instructions as well in advance of your procedure.
Q: ARE ANTIBIOTICS ADMINISTERED?
A: No, antibiotics are not administered. We recommend rinsing with salt water and/or alcohol-free mouthwash several times a day to keep the wound clean and reduce the risk of infection. It is also extremely important to wash hands thoroughly prior to wound care/ stretches.
Q: WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE RISKS?
A: Complications of surgery are rare, but may include numbness, bleeding, pain, failure of procedure, infection, injury to adjacent structures, and scarring. It is crucial to follow the post-operative instructions to prevent scarring or re-attachment of the frenum. Pre- and post-operative myofunctional therapy is essential for optimal recovery after frenuloplasty.
Q: WHAT IS THE PROPER WAY TO ACTIVELY MANAGE THE WOUND POST-PROCEDURE? WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO SEE AFTER THE PROCEDURE?
A: We use absorbable sutures that will usually fall off or dissolve on their own within 3-5 days and sometimes anywhere from 1-10 days after surgery. As the sutures fall out, a white diamond-shaped area may appear where the frenum was. This is normal and not an infection, rather, it is granulation healing tissue that will heal and disappear in approximately two weeks.
Functional Frenuloplasty
Post-op instructions
After the surgery, patients can expect some mild swelling, pain, and/or discomfort as a normal process of wound healing. Generally, this is fairly mild and can be controlled with over-the-counter pain medications. Possible (but very rare) complications of frenuloplasty may include anesthesia complications, bleeding, pain, numbness/ tingling, failure of procedure, voice and swallowing changes, infection, injury to adjacent structures, and scarring.
Immediately after surgery:
- Wound Care and Bleeding: To alleviate discomfort, you can apply a small amount of topical anesthesia to a piece of gauze, place on the surgical site, and replace as needed every 1-2 hours, maximum of 4 times daily. It is normal to experience some bloody oozing during the first 1-2 days. If steady bleeding occurs, place gauze under the tongue to hold pressure and call Dr. Dy. If heavy bleeding persists, please go to your local emergency department.
- Swelling and Inflammation: It is normal to experience some swelling and inflammation in the first 3-5 days after surgery. Your tongue may feel larger than usual and more painful to move. The majority of patients will find relief using Tylenol and Ibuprofen as needed for pain. We also recommend holistic options such as arnica, turmeric, and ginger. If you are already taking chronic pain medications, we would recommend discussing alternatives with your pain doctor.
- Food/Drink: During the first few days, you may find it helpful to have soft, cool foods. you may find it challenging to consume hot or spicy foods or those that are more textured and thus require more chewing.
- Sutures: We use resorbable sutures that will fall off or dissolve on their own within a week after surgery. After the sutures come out, granulation tissue that is whitish in appearance will fill the open wound(s). This is normal and expected. Only if the granulation tissue overgrows the wound should the excess tissue be cleansed gently with a soft brush to remove oral debris. It is not necessary to completely remove the granulation tissue.
continued on the following page
Functional Frenuloplasty
Post-op instructions
- Oral hygiene: We recommend rinsing with salt water and/or alcohol-free mouthwash several times a day to keep the wound clean and reduce the risk of infection. Colloidal silver spray is an excellent antimicrobial option.
- Surgical Glue: PeriAcryl surgical glue may be applied to the wound site in addition to sutures. Over time, the glue can have a hard and rough texture. It is important to refrain from touching or picking at it. If the glue stays on past 1 week, we encourage gentle massage with Vitamin E oil, coconut oil, or mineral oil to dissolve and remove the material.
- Myofunctional Therapy Exercises: We recommend gentle tongue movements only for the first 3 days after your procedure and to focus on minimizing the pain. This may include light movements with your tongue by lifting it up to the front teeth with your mouth wide open, moving side-to-side inside the cheeks, tracing the tongue back-and-forth along the palate, and elevating the tongue in suction-hold. Avoid sticking your tongue out during the first few days to prevent tearing the sutures. Would contraction may occur by around day 5-7. It is extremely important to perform the stretches and exercises as prescribed by your therapist to obtain the most optimal results.
- Lip and Buccal Ties: We recommend that you take it easy for the first few days. Afterwards, run your tongue around the oral vestibule several times a day. We also recommend air puffs. After one week, you can stretch the lip outwards and perform manual intraoral massage.
- Bodywork: Many patients benefit from co-therapy with myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, osteopathic manipulation, and/or other forms of bodywork both pre- and post-operatively, depending on clinical circumstance. If you are in need of a collaborative therapist, please feel free to ask for a recommendation or view the list.
- If you experience any of the following, text the team at 813.240.3301: severe pain that does not improve with medication, brisk bleeding, severe swelling at the site of surgery, difficulty breathing, fever higher than 102°.
- For emergencies, such as excessive swelling that is closing the airway, please call 911 or proceed to your local urgent care facility.
non-CPAP Sleep Therapy
(besides myofunctional therapy and functional frenuloplasty release)
Dr. Dy is proud to be a Certified Provider of The Gelb Institute's airVata combination day and night appliance to improve sleep, restore alertness, and revitalize your health.
Dr. Gelb explained that utilizing both daytime and nighttime appliance therapy, helped treat both TMJ problems, as well as address Obstructive Sleep Problems. Utilizing both a daytime and nighttime appliance decompresses the TM Joint, allows healing to occur, increases Joint space, increases the length of the masseter and temporalis muscles. Utilizing daytime (NG) and Nighttime (NG) appliances together, we have created the NG 2 , which is a combination Dayappliance and Nighttime appliance used to treat Jaw Clicking, Jaw locking, Jaw Pain, Muscle Pain, Fatigue, Fragmented Sleep and Obstructive Airway Disorders, including Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The NG 2 , combines an Anterior Repositioning Appliance, to be worn during the day, with a Maxillary retainer, with buttons to be worn in conjunction with the lower appliance.
Both the upper and lower appliances, have buttons, that Power chains are attached to. The Maxillary Retainer, and Maxilla, acts as anchorage for the lower jaw (mandible) to stay forward at nighttime. The NG 2 , prevents the lower jaw from falling back, which is the premise of every Oral appliance, or Mandibular Advancement Device on the market today.
https://www.gelbinstitute.com/airvata
do you accept insurance?
We are not contracted with any dental or medical insurance plans and do not bill directly. If you have an HSA card, that can be used to pay for your visit and we are happy to provide any necessary itemized receipts to accompany your transaction.
At your request, we can create a superbill for you to submit to your medical insurance company. Some plans may reimburse you toward your annual deductible, but they will always consider Dr. Dy an out-of-network provider.
If you attempt to submit your superbill to your dental insurance company, please note that they will likely downgrade any procedure codes to fit their own definitions. It is not common to expect 100% reimbursement.
Please note that requests for these such documents need to be processed when we are not seeing patients. As a small healthcare startup, we appreciate your patience as we are very dedicated to providing excellent care to each and every patient.
Connect with me
Elizabeth R. Dy, DMD
drdy@sleepandbreathingtampa.com
813.212.7891 (live help)
813.240.3301 (text only)
www.sleepandbreathingtampa.com
