LIP & TONGUE-TIE TREATMENT CROWN POINT
Better Latches, Happier Babies, & Relieved Moms
Dr. Karr is experienced in evaluating and treating tongue ties here at LMK Pediatric Dentistry. Our team is dedicated to helping children feel comfortable while supporting healthy feeding, speech, and oral development. If your child has experienced difficulty with feeding, speech concerns, or limited tongue movement, we encourage you to schedule an evaluation to determine whether treatment may be beneficial.
Why Choose LMK Pediatric Dental Care for Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment?
- Gentle, Non-Invasive LightScalpel CO2 Laser Treatment
- Led by Multiple Skilled Pediatric Dentists
- Only Local Provider Who Offers Frenectomies for Newborns
How Do Lip & Tongue-Ties Develop?
The truth is that modern science hasn’t determined exactly what leads to lip and tongue-ties, but there seems to be a strong genetic component because they have been shown to run in families. What we do know is that they tend to develop in utero during the last few weeks of pregnancy, and thankfully, they are easy to treat in even the smallest babies.
Symptoms of Lip & Tongue-Ties
In babies, the symptoms of a lip or tongue-tie may include, but aren’t limited to:
- The infant isn't gaining weight as expected
- They are gaining weight but exhibit a shallow latch and fall off the breast during feeding
- They leak milk from the corners of their mouth while trying to breastfeed
- They make clicking noises when trying to nurse
- Nursing is painful or uncomfortable for you
- The infant is gassy following feedings
While most are found and treated during infancy, some are not. That means your older child or teen might be dealing with a tongue or lip-tie if they exhibit any of the following:
- They can't stick out their tongue farther than their front teeth.
- The child can't reach the back of the front teeth with their tongue
- The child's tongue appears heart-shaped or notched when it is extended
- The child can't reach their upper teeth with their tongue
- They find it difficult to move the tongue from side to side
- The child complains that their tongue makes it difficult to eat or enunciate
Why Is It Important to Treat Lip & Tongue-Ties?
While having trouble feeding your baby is already bad enough, left untreated, lip and tongue ties can hamper your child in several different ways. It can make the switch to solid food very difficult, and can prevent proper maxillofacial development from the tongue lying on the floor of the mouth rather than the palate. It can also be uncomfortable, prevent the teeth from coming in straight, and even lead to sleep-breathing issues that resemble sleep apnea. While many other factors can lead to several similar symptoms, a frenum release can normally offer substantial improvement.
How Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment Works
Before we address your child’s lip or tongue tie, we’ll sit down with you to make sure you understand every step of the process. During this frenectomy consultation, we’ll complete a thorough examination of your child’s mouth and ask you about their medical history; correctly evaluating all of the symptoms first is key! We’ll also capture intraoral photos, and of course, you’ll have the chance to ask any questions before we get started, whether they be about the actual procedure, our office protocols, proper aftercare, or how to ensure your child is prepared for their treatment.
We perform frenectomies with an advanced surgical soft tissue CO2 laser, the LightScalpel. This increases precision and reduces the risk of complications by using light energy, which creates a focused, high-energy beam that also sterilizes the treatment area as we release the tissue. The actual procedure is quick and painless, only taking about ten seconds! We also always provide parents and guardians with thorough aftercare instructions prior to starting the treatment.
Lip & Tongue-Tie FAQs
Does a Frenectomy Hurt?
You do not need to worry about your child experiencing any pain during their frenectomy. The reason is that we use a gentle, non-invasive LightScalpel CO2 dental laser. This quick, painless approach targets only the banded tissue, releasing it without excessive bleeding or swelling. The laser’s concentrated beam of light offers optimal precision, so your little one will be unlikely to feel any discomfort.
Are There Diet Restrictions After a Frenectomy?
Diet restrictions are primarily based on the patient’s age. For infants, there is no need to change their diet immediately following a frenectomy. They are free to breastfeed or take a bottle after the procedure. For toddlers, children, and teenagers, no food should be consumed until anesthesia wears off (if it is required). The general rule is for them to spend the next 1-2 days avoiding hot, cold, spicy, salty, or highly acidic foods and beverages. These can irritate the treated tissue and prevent proper healing.
How Long Does a Frenectomy Take?
Having your child undergo a frenectomy may have you asking how long the procedure will take. Fortunately, releasing these banded tissues only takes a few seconds. If we see that the band is thicker than normal, or if your child needs both their lip and tongue-tie released, it may take a bit longer. Do not worry, though. Our team is here to make sure your child remains comfortable and at ease throughout their appointment. We’ll work quickly to get them back into your arms for immediate comfort.
What Are the Benefits of a Laser Frenectomy Over a Traditional Frenectomy?
Traditional frenectomies are still performed by dental professionals worldwide, but technological advancements now make this procedure easier and more comfortable for patients. Thanks to the soft tissue dental laser, your children’s dentist in Crown Point can offer a more conservative form of treatment.
While traditional methods use surgical scalpels and sutures, a laser frenectomy relies on a concentrated beam of light for optimal precision. When used to release the banded tissue, the laser immediately cauterizes the area, minimizing bleeding and swelling. As a result, your child will heal much faster than if they were to receive a traditional frenectomy.
