Some children are born with extra tissue called frenum under their tongue or upper lip. These are called tongue-ties and lip-ties and can cause difficulty with speech, breastfeeding, weight gain, and even dental decay.
If not treated during childhood, the adverse effects of tongue and lip-ties can follow children into adulthood. Headaches, neck and shoulder pain, sleep issues, and speech problems are all signs of untreated tongue and lip-ties.
A frenectomy is the release of the frenula to allow for added range of motion. This quick and straightforward procedure is the first step toward a healthier child. Historically, most frenectomies were performed by a doctor using a scalpel under general anesthesia requiring stitches. Infants were often denied this procedure due to the risks of babies undergoing anesthesia, or simply clipped with scissors resulting inconsistent results.
However, modern laser technology allows us to perform frenectomies in our office with no anesthesia. These treatments take just a few minutes, don’t require stitches, and leave patients with little to no bleeding, and minimal post.
Thanks to this quick and nearly painless treatment, your child or infant can resume their daily routine right away. Many older children return straight to the playground after their procedure.
Since breast milk contains many healing properties, breastfed infants are encouraged to nurse immediately following the procedure in our family room. Our experience has also been that older children who may be picky eaters or children who have difficulty gaining weight will often experience better appetites.
Some smaller children introduce new words to their vocabulary the day of their procedure. Older children will speak clearly with fewer restrictions, boosting their confidence. You can also expect infants and children to sleep throughout the night, improving their behavior during the day.
Our office believes oral restrictions shouldn’t hold children back, and tongue and lip-ties are entirely treatable. We invite you to schedule a consultation today to learn how a frenectomy can positively impact your family’s future.
We work with several highly qualified lactation consultants, speech language therapists, occupational therapists to ensure that your child has the tools and therapy ready to utilize their newfound freedom post frenectomy release.
INSURANCE NOTE:
Because many infants are not placed on their parents dental insurance for several months afterwards, we offer the ability to submit directly to your medical insurance for reimbursement for the procedure. When you call to make the appointment ask our front desk for more information.
