Frenectomies
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Frenectomies at Bright Smiles Dentistry & Orthodontics: An Effective Treatment for Tongue Tie and Lip Tie
The frenulum is tissue that connects the lips to the gums, or the tongue to the floor of the mouth. A frenulum is a regular structure of the anatomy of the oral cavity but some children may be born with a tight frenum or frenulum that limits the movement of the tongue or the lip to such a degree that they have limitation in several aspects of their own life. This is usually referred to as tongue tie or lip tie if it limits their upper lip. These limitations can result in important limitations for the child. The limitations can occur for breastfeeding, eating and ultimately speech development. A frenectomy is a very routine procedure we offer multiple times per week at Bright Smiles Dentistry & Orthodontics. After the frenectomy, the frenulum will no longer limit the many of the important things in your child’s life. A frenectomy will improve oral health, and your child’s quality of life.
What is tongue tie and lip tie?
Tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, The frenulum under the tongue is too tight (or constricted to prevent the tongue from being able to stretch backwards to do its job. Tongue tie can lead to breastfeeding problems in infants, speech delays in toddlers, or complications when toddlers become children in the eating department. Lip tie is the same concept, but the upper frenulum, the tissue that connects the upper lip to the gums connects the upper lips to the gums under 50%-70% of the population. The same concept applies, if the frenulum tissue is too tight you are hugh attachment-your lips cannot properly move) is a permit problem if it is restricted also that, a gap between their front teeth will develop as they grow up.
Symptoms and Signs of Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie
Some children will have tongue-tie and/or lip-tie and not have any problems, while some children may have a variety of functional difficulties. Here are some common signs and symptoms:
Difficulty Nursing or Feeding:
In infants, a tight frenulum can cause feeding issues which may affect their ability to latch during breastfeeding. This may lead to annoyance and frustration for both mother and child; bottle feeding may also be impacted.
Speech Problems:
As children grow, tongue-tie can impact the way they pronounce certain sounds such as the “t”, “d”, “l” and “r”; especially those sounds that recognize a restriction to the roof of the mouth.
Eating Problems:
Older children may have problems eating foods that require more tongue manipulation such as chewing or moving the food around in their mouth.
Gum Problems:
A tight frenulum will create tension on the gums which may cause gum recession or other gum/periodontal issues as your child grows.
Gap Between Front Teeth:
In cases of lip-tie, the restriction of upper lip movement may contribute to a gap developing between the two front teeth.
If your child demonstrates any of these problems, it is important to obtain an evaluation from a dentist that specializes in children.
What Is A Frenectomy?
A frenectomy is a simple surgical procedure to free up a tight frenulum for improved tongue or lip movement. It is performed on babies, children and adults who have an issue due to a restriction to the frenulum. At Bright Smiles Dentistry & Orthodontics, our providers often perform the frenectomy in the office with a local anesthetic, allowing you to have a quick appointment and your child is comfortable.
The Steps in the Frenectomy Procedure
Frenectomy procedures are simple and take very little time to complete. The following is what you should expect when your child is having a frenectomy.
Consultation and Clinical Examination:
Our doctor will conduct a thorough examination of your child’s mouth to determine how tight the frenulum is and how that relates to the need for a frenectomy. You will have an opportunity to discuss your child’s symptoms, and ask questions related to the procedure.
Administration of Local Anesthetic:
After the examination, we will apply local anesthetic to the area where the incision will be made to ensure your child is comfortable. In some instances, largely with younger children or infants, other sedation options may be requested to assist with calming the child prior to the procedure.
Frenotomy:
After the area is numbed, your doctor will use a surgical instrument or laser to make a small incision in the frenulum. This will relieve the tension in the tissue which will now allow for greater freedom of movement of the tongue or lips.
Quick Recovery:
The results of a frenectomy are immediate, your child will be able to move his/her tongue or lips freely right after the procedure. The incision site heals quickly, usually within a few days, and your child will not experience pain if any at all. We will provide you with adequate aftercare instructions to allow for a smooth recovery.
Better Feeding skills:
If an infant has tongue-tie/lip-tie they will hopefully improve their ability to latch properly when breastfeeding, thus providing a more enjoyable feeding experience and lessen discomfort/frustration for both mother and baby.
Improved Speech Development:
If children are experiencing speech delay as a result of tongue-tie, after receiving a frenectomy they will hopefully be able to produce sounds at a much higher accuracy. Improvements such as this can also positively impact language development and self-esteem.
Improved eating experience:
For kids that have challenges with the eating process due to limited tongue movement, a frenectomy will allow the child to chew, swallow, and move their food in their mouth more effectively.
Reduced gum issues:
If the frenulum is restricted for an extended period of time, it can create pressure on the gums, leading to gum retraction and periodontal diseases (gums act as a gutter for this). A frenectomy, will relieve the pressure on the gums and decrease possibility of developing periodontal issues.
Improved stability of dental structures:
In lip tie situations, a frenectomy will allow freedom of the frenulum and reduce any potential space forming between the front teeth, relative to the overall better alignment from an intervened frenulum.
Advantages of Frenectomy
A frenectomy has numerous perks, especially in children who struggle greatly from a restrictive frenulum. Benefits of a frenectomy include:
Is a Frenectomy a Safe Procedure?
Yes, a frenectomy is a safe and routine procedure that has been safely performed for many years. At Bright Smiles Dentistry & Orthodontics, we use the most up-to-date techniques and technology to conduct your child’s frenectomy, effective procedure that is quick and comfortable. Because of the way we use both cutting-edge techniques and technology, your child is at a very low risk for complications and will experience very little, if any discomfort, during the recovery period.
Aftercare and Recovery (After Making a Frenectomy)
It is really important to follow our teams aftercare instructions – this will help ensure proper healing. Most children heal very well after a frenectomy, and the incision will usually close within a few days. Your child may have slight swelling or tenderness right after the frenectomy procedure, which will generally be resolved shortly after.
We suggest having soft foods for the first day or two after the frenectomy and to refrain from any activities that may irritate the incision site. We will also provide any recommendations of exercises or stretches to ensure your child is healing properly and that the tissue does not reattach.
Local Expertise in Pediatric Dental Care
At Bright Smiles Dentistry & Orthodontics, we specialize in compassionate, expert care for children of all ages. Our staff has experience with issues such as tongue-tie and lip-tie and how this can be challenging for children and their families in the Charlotte area. We are striving, through (frenectomies) to help children improve their oral health as well as their health overall.
Bright Smiles Dentistry & Orthodontics has locations in Dawsonville, Cumming, and Lawrenceville, GA, and is dedicated to our local community with pediatric dental care that includes frenectomies.
Book your child’s frenectomy consultation
If your child is having trouble nursing, speaking, or eating due to lip-tie or tongue-tie, please call Bright Smiles Dentistry & Orthodontics to schedule a consultation. Our caring team can evaluate your child’s oral health and help determine if a frenectomy is a good option for your child.
You can reach us at (678) 941-5151 or visit our website to schedule an appointment at one of our Dawsonville, Cumming, or Lawrenceville, GA locations. We would love to help your child experience comfortable eating and speaking through a safe, quick, and easy frenectomy.
FAQ :
1. What is a frenectomy, and why might my child need one?
A frenectomy is a simple procedure that releases a tight frenulum (the tissue under the tongue or lip) to improve movement. If your child has tongue-tie (difficulty moving the tongue) or lip-tie (restricted lip movement), it can impact breastfeeding, speech, eating, and oral health. We offer this safe, effective procedure at all our locations in Cumming, Lawrenceville, and Dawsonville.
2. How do I know if my child has a tongue-tie or lip-tie?
Common signs of tongue-tie and lip-tie include difficulty breastfeeding, speech delays, or problems eating. You may also notice a gap between the front teeth with lip-tie. If you suspect your child has these issues, schedule a consultation at our Cumming, Lawrenceville, or Dawsonville offices for an evaluation.
3. Is a frenectomy safe for my child?
Yes, frenectomies are safe, routine procedures performed for both children and adults. At Bright Smiles in Lawrenceville, Cumming, and Dawsonville, we use advanced techniques and local anesthetics to ensure your child is comfortable and the procedure is effective with minimal risk.
4. What happens during a frenectomy at Bright Smiles Dentistry & Orthodontics?
During a frenectomy, we apply local anesthesia to numb the area, then use a laser or surgical tool to make a small incision in the frenulum. The procedure is quick, and your child will be able to move their tongue or lips freely immediately after. The recovery process is smooth, and most children heal within a few days.
5. How soon will I see results after my child’s frenectomy?
The results of a frenectomy are immediate—your child will be able to move their tongue or lips more freely right after the procedure. If your child had difficulty breastfeeding, speaking, or eating due to tongue-tie or lip-tie, you may notice improvements within a few days.
6. Will my child need to follow any special aftercare after a frenectomy?
Yes, following a frenectomy, we recommend soft foods for a few days and may provide gentle stretches or exercises to ensure proper healing. The incision heals quickly, but following our aftercare instructions is essential for a smooth recovery. We provide detailed instructions after each procedure at our Cumming, Lawrenceville, or Dawsonville offices.
7. Can a frenectomy improve my child’s speech development?
Yes! A frenectomy can significantly improve speech development by allowing better tongue movement. If your child has difficulty pronouncing sounds due to tongue-tie, a frenectomy will enable them to make sounds more clearly, positively impacting their speech and language skills.
8. How do I schedule a frenectomy consultation for my child?
You can schedule a consultation at any of our locations in Cumming, Lawrenceville, or Dawsonville by calling us at (678) 941-5151 or booking an appointment online. Our caring team will evaluate your child’s needs and determine if a frenectomy is right for them.
9. Is a frenectomy covered by insurance?
Many dental insurance plans cover frenectomy procedures, especially if your child’s condition affects feeding, speech, or overall health. We can help verify your insurance coverage at our Cumming, Lawrenceville, and Dawsonville offices, ensuring you understand your benefits before moving forward with treatment.
10. What is the recovery time for a frenectomy?
Most children recover quickly after a frenectomy, with healing time typically ranging from a few days to a week. Swelling or discomfort may occur, but these symptoms usually resolve within a short time. We will provide aftercare instructions to ensure your child heals properly and remains comfortable during recovery.
Why Choose Bright Smiles Dentistry & Orthodontics?
Local Expertise
We know the Cumming, Lawrenceville, and Dawsonville communities and are dedicated to providing exceptional care to our neighbors.
Comprehensive Services
From dental implants to orthodontics and general dentistry, we offer a wide range of services to meet your needs.
Patient-Centered Care
Your comfort and satisfaction are our top priorities. We work closely with each patient to develop a treatment plan that fits their individual needs.
Schedule Your Frenectomies Consultation Today
Ready to transform your smile? Contact Bright Smiles Dentistry & Orthodontics today at (678) 941-5151 to schedule your consultation. With convenient locations in Dawsonville, Cumming, and Lawrenceville, GA, we’re here to help you achieve the smile of your dreams through our comprehensive Cosmetic Dentistry services.
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