Frenectomies at Bright Smiles Dentistry & Orthodontics: Addressing Tongue and Lip Ties
A frenulum is a small piece of tissue that connects the lips to the gums or the tongue to the floor of the mouth. While it plays a normal role in oral anatomy, some children are born with a frenum or frenulum that is too tight, restricting the movement of the lips or tongue. This condition is commonly known as tongue-tie (when it affects the tongue) or lip-tie (when it affects the upper lip), and it can cause various issues for children, including difficulties with nursing, speech, and eating. At Bright Smiles Dentistry & Orthodontics, we offer frenectomies, a simple and effective procedure that can alleviate these problems and improve your child’s oral health and overall well-being.
What Are Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie?
Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) occurs when the frenulum under the tongue is too short or tight, restricting the tongue’s range of motion. This can cause difficulties with breastfeeding in infants, speech delays in toddlers, and even eating issues as children grow. Lip-tie, on the other hand, involves the upper frenulum, which connects the upper lip to the gum. If this tissue is too tight, it can prevent proper lip movement, making it hard for children to latch while breastfeeding or causing a gap between the front teeth as they grow.
Signs and Symptoms of Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie
For some children, tongue-tie and lip-tie may not cause any noticeable problems. However, for others, these conditions can lead to significant functional challenges. Some of the most common signs and symptoms include:
- Difficulty Nursing or Feeding: For infants, a tight frenulum can make it difficult to latch properly during breastfeeding, leading to frustration for both mother and baby. Bottle feeding may also be affected.
- Speech Issues: As children develop, tongue-tie can interfere with their ability to pronounce certain sounds, especially those that require the tongue to touch the roof of the mouth, like “t,” “d,” “l,” and “r” sounds.
- Eating Problems: Older children may have difficulty eating certain foods that require more tongue movement, like chewing or moving food around in the mouth.
- Gum Issues: A tight frenulum can cause tension on the gums, leading to gum recession or other periodontal issues as your child grows.
- Gap Between Front Teeth: In cases of lip-tie, the restricted movement of the upper lip can contribute to the development of a gap between the two front teeth.
If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek an evaluation from a dental professional who specializes in pediatric oral health.
What Is a Frenectomy?
A frenectomy is a simple surgical procedure that releases the tight frenulum, allowing for greater movement of the tongue or lips. This procedure is often performed on infants, children, and even adults who experience difficulties due to a tight frenulum. At Bright Smiles Dentistry & Orthodontics, our experienced doctors perform frenectomies in-office using a local anesthetic to ensure the procedure is quick and comfortable for your child.
The Frenectomy Procedure
The frenectomy procedure is straightforward and typically takes only a few minutes. Here’s what you can expect during your child’s frenectomy:
- Consultation and Examination: Our doctors will begin by thoroughly examining your child’s mouth to assess the tightness of the frenulum and determine if a frenectomy is necessary. We’ll discuss your child’s symptoms and answer any questions you may have about the procedure.
- Application of Local Anesthetic: To ensure your child’s comfort during the procedure, we’ll apply a local anesthetic to numb the area where the incision will be made. In some cases, especially for younger children or infants, other sedation options may be used to keep your child calm and relaxed.
- Incision in the Frenulum: Once the area is numb, the doctor will make a small incision in the frenulum using either a surgical instrument or a laser. This releases the tension in the tissue and allows for greater movement of the lips or tongue.
- Quick Recovery: The results of a frenectomy are immediate, and your child will be able to move their tongue or lips more freely right after the procedure. The incision site usually heals quickly, often within a few days, with little to no discomfort. We’ll provide you with aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery.
Benefits of a Frenectomy
A frenectomy offers several benefits, especially for children who experience significant challenges due to a tight frenulum. Some of the key advantages of this procedure include:
- Improved Nursing: For infants with tongue-tie or lip-tie, a frenectomy can greatly improve their ability to latch properly during breastfeeding. This not only makes feeding more effective but also reduces frustration and discomfort for both the baby and mother.
- Enhanced Speech Development: If your child is experiencing speech delays due to tongue-tie, a frenectomy can help them articulate sounds more clearly. This can have a positive impact on their language development and confidence.
- Better Eating Habits: Children who struggle with eating due to restricted tongue movement will find it easier to chew, swallow, and move food around their mouths after a frenectomy.
- Prevention of Gum Issues: A tight frenulum can put pressure on the gums, leading to gum recession or other periodontal problems over time. By releasing the frenulum, a frenectomy can help prevent these issues from occurring.
- Corrected Dental Alignment: In cases of lip-tie, releasing the frenulum can reduce the likelihood of developing a gap between the front teeth and improve overall dental alignment.
Is a Frenectomy Safe?
Yes, a frenectomy is a safe and routine procedure that has been performed successfully for many years. At Bright Smiles Dentistry & Orthodontics, we use the latest techniques and technologies to ensure the procedure is quick, comfortable, and effective. The risk of complications is minimal, and most children experience little to no discomfort during recovery.
Aftercare and Recovery
After a frenectomy, it’s important to follow the aftercare instructions provided by our team to ensure proper healing. Most children heal quickly, with the incision site closing within a few days. Your child may experience slight swelling or tenderness immediately after the procedure, but this typically resolves on its own.
We recommend soft foods for the first day or two after the frenectomy and advise against any activities that may irritate the incision site. Our team will provide guidance on any specific exercises or stretches that may be needed to promote proper healing and ensure the tissue does not reattach.
Local Expertise in Pediatric Dental Care
At Bright Smiles Dentistry & Orthodontics, we specialize in providing compassionate, expert care for children of all ages. Our team understands the challenges that conditions like tongue-tie and lip-tie can present for children and their families, and we’re here to offer solutions that improve both oral health and quality of life.
With convenient locations in Dawsonville, Cumming, and Lawrenceville, GA, we’re proud to serve the local community with comprehensive pediatric dental services, including frenectomies.
Schedule Your Child’s Frenectomy Consultation Today
If your child is experiencing difficulty with nursing, speech, or eating due to tongue-tie or lip-tie, contact Bright Smiles Dentistry & Orthodontics to schedule a consultation. Our experienced team will evaluate your child’s oral health and determine if a frenectomy is the right solution.
Call us at (678) 941-5151 or visit our website to book an appointment at one of our locations in Dawsonville, Cumming, or Lawrenceville, GA. Let us help your child enjoy greater comfort and improved oral function with a quick and effective frenectomy procedure.