Help Your Child Achieve Optimal Oral Health with Lip and Tongue Tie Surgery (Frenectomy)
Everyone has a frenulum, a small fold of tissue connecting the lips to the gums or the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Unfortunately, when the frenulum is short or restrictive, it limits tongue and lip mobility, affecting speech, feeding, and other oral functions.
Westwood Dentistry offers frenectomy, a minor procedure that “releases” the restrictive frenulum to optimize oral function. Traditionally, a lip or tongue tie surgery is performed with a scalpel, but Drs. Monica Anand and Anshuman Rawat use laser surgery. A laser-assisted frenectomy is minimally invasive and minimizes recovery time.
How does a tongue or lip tie affect your oral health?
In about 5-10% of babies, the separation of the frenulum from the lip or tongue is affected in utero, resulting in a shorter-than-normal frenulum. The abnormal frenulum can vary significantly regarding elasticity, thickness, and location in the lip or tongue.
The following are the symptoms of tongue or lip tie.
- The inability to latch properly on the breast causes poor feeding
- Clicking sounds when breastfeeding
- Gassiness or colicky from swallowing too much air
- Milk leaks from the corners of the mouth when feeding
- Persistent nipple pain for the mother
A restricted frenulum affects speech for older children because of the tongue’s limited mobility to create different sounds. Tongue restriction, even due to a partial tongue tie, can result in improper swallowing patterns, which in turn affects digestion. In some cases, lip/tongue ties can result in orthodontic complications by affecting jaw development. When you notice a lip/tongue tie in your child, please don’t put off treatment because the problem won’t resolve itself. Instead, schedule an appointment with a pediatric doctor or dentist for treatment.
What should I expect from tongue/lip tie surgery?
The first step is a thorough examination by the dentist to assess the severity of the issue. This may include discussing symptoms or performing a physical examination of the frenulum. Our doctors always want to ensure the procedure is as comfortable as possible. The tongue is a muscle and has been in a ‘tied’ situation for a long time, except in the case of an infant. Typically, we recommend Myofunctional Therapy prior to ties release to get the ‘tone’ back in the tongue muscle. Once cleared by the Myofunctional Therapist, you’re ready for the release. We’ll numb the area around the frenulum with local anesthesia to provide a comfortable experience. However, if your child is nervous about the procedure, we can administer sedation dentistry for optimal comfort.
Traditionally, dentists release the frenulum by severing it with scissors or a scalpel. It’s invasive and prolongs recovery. Our office uses laser dentistry to treat restricted frenulums. Laser frenectomy is quick and minimally invasive—it reduces bleeding and speeds up recovery. Depending on the extent of the procedure, a few tiny dissolvable stitches may be placed to ensure proper healing.
We’ll give post-op instructions for a quick recovery. Generally, we’ll prescribe soft foods and liquids for a day or two. The area usually feels like a ‘Pizza burn’ and heals similar to one as well. We recommend following up with the Myofunctional Therapist for further exercises and verification of a proper release.
How soon will the child recover after tongue/lip-tie surgery?
Babies recover pretty quickly and can resume feeding almost immediately after the procedure. In fact, most times moms will notice the difference in the latch and feeding instantly. While some babies have no problem adapting after frenectomy, others need time to adjust. After surgery, alactation specialist can help your baby optimize their new oral strength and skills. Older kids may have soreness that lasts 1-2 weeks, but this will go away on its own.
Does your child need a frenectomy?
Despite being considered minor surgery, lip and tongue surgery can significantly impact one’s quality of life. Westwood Dentistry is committed to providing compassionate care and ensuring that every patient achieves the best possible outcome. Call (781) 514-6443 to schedule an appointment with our doctors for a laser-assisted frenectomy.
