We use frenectomies to correct tongue-tie, a congenital condition in which the frenulum is short, thick, or tight. The lingual frenulum is the membrane that connects the center of the upper or lower lips to the corresponding gums and the labial frenulum is a membrane that connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
A child that has tongue-tie, experiences restricted tongue movement. The best way to determine if your baby has tongue-tie is to come in for an evaluation by our pediatric dentist Dr. Smith. In the meantime, look for the following signs during breastfeeding and otherwise: Clicking sounds, indicating poor attachment Inability to maintain adequate suction Low weight gain over time, meaning poor eating Difficulty moving tongue from one side to the other Inability to touch the upper gums or roof of mouth with tongue Tongue does not stick out past the gums V or heart shape at the tip of tongue.
Risks of Not Fixing a Tongue Tie Include:
At Teeth R US, tongue-tie surgery, also known as a frenectomy, is a 15-minute laser treatment
that releases the frenulum and frees the tongue to have full and proper movement.
Before Frenectomy
After Frenectomy
Our Pediatric dentist, Dr. Smith is a Solea Laser Trained Dentist, with specialty training in Soft Tissue and Tongue Tie Release.
Since we use laser rather than a scalpel to treat tongue-tie, the benefits are as follows:
Tongue-tie is a congenital condition. This means it is present at birth.
No. We administer general anesthesia before getting started so that your child is comfortable and feels nothing.
Tongue-tie does not go away without treatment. Surgery is the only way to release tongue-tie.
No. If your baby can stick their tongue out past their gums, they do not have tongue-tie.
