"Tongue splitting" or the proper term Central Bifurcation of the Tongue. Is the separation of the connective tissue in the center of the tongue. Leaving one with a "split tongue" or what some say "Two forks" or "two tongues"! In the interview section of Mike Kunkel, There is a picture of a tongue split. If you haven't already, go look at it to get a good ideal on it. In that pic, That gentleman (Owner of www.bmezine.com, Shannon Larratt) had his done by a professional Oral Surgeon. Later on, I'll get down to what methods are available, that people have used. I want to warn some of the methods are rather harsh and very dangerous! While getting a tongue split is dangerous within itself, It is risked more when using some of the methods below and I want to stress NEVER try this on your own under any circumstances! This is something that only the most qualified person should do, and that being an oral surgeon! Now saying that, I have to say also, Some people go to practioners that practice this and get a split that is well done, but none the less, with a surgeon you have that added security as well as other benefits.

I want to comment on some oral surgeons who do this, one in mind too. .A procedure like this may cost from 800-2000 dollars by an oral surgeon! Now, in my opinion, 2000 dollars is a lot of money! People have different opinions on this and both sides could make back and forth arguments. But in my opinion, 2000 is a bit much! Only because a tongue bifurcation to an oral surgeon, is very rather simple procedure! Of course I have only found one that charges 2000, While this surgeon has did a few and his suturing (stitching the interiors split, Ill explain later) is also more advanced. 2000 for anyone is very costly and when you have bills to pay and cannot save, but desire this so much, Then You resort to other more harsh methods! But never fear, While that one surgeon charges 2000, others will charge less. Price should not matter, But I point out the price, only because I feel when offering this to a general public, the price should be fair and affordable. And to also give you view of what you may come up against. Now having said that, some may offer this for 800, which is very fair, 1000 and so forth is also fair. Im not saying don't pay the 2000, Im just saying for 2000, it is a bit much for a lot of people! But like I said, price shouldn't matter and I only offer it up here to give examples of what some may charge.

Now most oral surgeons may not perform this, but some will! It will be difficult to seek out and find one, but once you do, you're in a good position! But like anything else, Check to see if the oral surgeon is certified. Check to see if he has did many surgeries dealing with the tongue, may it be reduction because of a large tongue or removal because of cancer. Check them out. Because just like with a Body Piercer, You need to know what you're looking for and you need someone rather experienced with the tongue area and its tissue! Also, You need to be educated and well informed before even attempting to contact an oral surgeon for this! Below is a list of subjects that are important to keep in mind when getting a tongue split.

Regrowth- Regrowth is a filmy like tissue that connects from each half of the interior of the split, and connects across to both separated parts. Best way to describe it is, The frenulum or the web tissue under your tongue, similar to that , connects across a split when it is split. That is called regrowth.

Some have got their tongues split and had them completely heal up from regrowth! The best thing to do is to monitor the regrowth. Some have used gauze between the split to prevent it, while others have scrapped it off! Some have had their tongues pierced and stretched very large, then split back to it after a period of months. The scar tissue from the tongue piercing acts as a anchor for the regrowth, keeping the halves separated. Of course on some cases, regrowth or a slight amount of it may occur even when splitting back to a large healed tongue piercing! Sometimes it happens and when it does, it can be removed and if you decide to take the split further back, it will be removed then! But none the less, regrowth can be controlled and if you get a split, watch it carefully! Observe it and care for it! That is if you want to minimize regrowth.

Now, this is very important in my opinion, some agree and some do not. But I personally believe in the following below.

Suturing- By suturing mucosa together (stitching the top of the skin in the interior to where it meets the bottom skin) and healing it like that, shapes the split. Giving it a more "rounded" interior and some would say, a split that looks like you were "born" with it. To me, it looks like two individual tongues by them self! May I add that some tongue splits are not sutured and being that it is, scar tissue heals over the interior of the split. Some turn out good and some do not. Some even heal different then sutured ones! For instance, Some look more cleaved, then one that is sutured or an odd flatness to the surface on a small few. If you have a large gauge tongue piercing and split back to it, you could see whitish tissue when it is healed completely. That is scar tissue from the piercing itself or sometimes scar tissue from where it wasn't sutured, but scar tissue usually doesn't appear on a none sutured interior unless a cautery unit was used, and sometimes not even then. But none the less, none sutured and sutured heal differently. And most importantly, If sutured correctly, The sutures will stay in place preventing some regrowth. But be warned! You still have to observe it and watch out for regrowth. Also, If suturing is done improperly, it can cause more problems and scar tissue! So be warned, only trust the best hands with this, an oral surgeon!

Now, Let's get into methods. Some have many bills to pay or some just prefer the none sutured look. Some even find it more aesthetically pleasing! So with the options above, They resort to something they can afford and/or something they find more aesthetically pleasing. Different methods other then oral surgeons! Now be warned, That some practioners (Body Modification artist) do this with a variety of methods. Practioners are not trained to do a tongue split , But I must admit, Many have came out fine, But only if in the right hands! But regardless, when dealing with a practioner, You put yourself more at risk! The danger is higher! And since a surgeon can use a numbing agent, a practioner may not be able to for many reasons, being dangerous and illegal is one of them! Now since they're not qualified to do a split, That means it is (by law and on paper) illegal! But, that still doesn't stop practioners from attempting it! Also, some can suture the split, but most cannot! And without any numbing agent, this would be agony! Also, if done improperly, Poor suturing could cause more problems or even pop out! While I have heard nothing bad come from a practioner, just remember, they're not surgeons! Be careful! Below is a list of methods that can be used. All the methods below are usually done by practioner without suturing.

Normal Scalpel- A normal scalpel is used, most prefer a certain blade type, while I will not mention what type, just know a scalpel is used. This is the most common way! Most people heal a large gauge tongue piercing and split back to it using a normal scalpel. Now since it is a clean cut, It heals very fast compared to one that cauterizes!

Heated Scalpel- This method requires a scalpel that is heated to cauterizing degrees, to control or stop bleeding! May I add, Some use a normal scalpel and then a cautery agent afterwards! Some even use other cauterizing methods to control bleeding afterwards.

Thermal Cautery unit- Using this method requires a Medical Cautery pen, that can reach heating degrees of up to a thousand degrees or higher! Don't be confused! The cautery pens are powerful and cost VERY MUCH! There are some that are weaker, but nothing that cannot penetrate through like a high standard, heat increasing one! It looks like marker almost with a metal tip like that heats up! It is then used to split a tongue. This can leave very nasty burns and by doing this, You open yourself up, maybe even for some very nasty scar tissue when healed!

Monofilament- This is a method that is simple, but being that it is more simple then the ones above, I will not say how to do it! But I will say, fishing line or suturing line or even spider wire is run through a healed tongue piercing and tied off. Now this is agony and is about as uncomfortable as you can get! It is repeated many times until the tongue splits!

Now let's take a look at a surgeons methods.

Argon Laser and suturing- while an Argon laser is much like a thermal cautery unit, Cauterizing by heat. The mucosa is then (after the laser is used) is sutured over and healed like that! Unlike the above, if not sutured, could prove to be some severe scar tissue, maybe! But when sutured over the cauterized interior, the mucosa heals together and you're done! So no scar tissue and IF there is any, it is very minor!

Scalpel and suturing- A scalpel is used, a clean cut incision is made, Followed by suturing. simple as that, I would even say it heals quicker then the above!

I want to also point out, that if too much scar tissue is present in the interior of the split, It could make the split immobile! What I mean is, If you get a split, and it heals with no scar tissue or even minimal scar tissue then both sides can be moved independently and is very mobile! The deeper the split, the more mobile it is! Unless, you have a massive amount of scar tissue in the interior! On paper this is very possible, Although I have never seen it. (even with thermal cautery splits, or atleast, never heard of anyone having that problem). It never seems to happen. So it either must require a massive set of scar tissue or it is incorrect! But on paper, it seems very possible! Better safe then sorry!

This is all just my opinion, through the research I have did. To research more about tongue splitting, Visit www.bmezine.com and to look at pics, you can purchase a membership to see pics of different tongue splits. I guess what I am saying is, All the above is my opinion and based on what I learned. But others may research and see it differently. None the less, research and have fun!

-James Norman