Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment – Garland, TX
Greater Oral Movement for Better Overall Health
When a child can freely move their lip and tongue, they can easily eat, speak, and smile without difficulty. Unfortunately, when a restricted band of tissue – a lip or tongue-tie – exists, this greater mobility becomes nonexistent. The good news is that Garland Pediatric Dentistry is here to provide a solution that will improve your child’s quality of life and oral movement – lip and tongue-tie treatment. If you notice your youngest family member is struggling with normal daily tasks, call our office to schedule an appointment today.
Why Choose Garland Pediatric Dentistry For Lip and Tongue-Tie Treatment?
- Comfortable Soft Tissue Laser for Easier Treatment & Recovery
- Board-Certified & General Pediatric Dentists on Staff
- We Are In-Network with Many Dental Insurance Plans
How Do Lip and Tongue-Ties Develop?
A lip and/or tongue-tie forms while a child is still in the womb. These occur when frenulums form between the underside of the tongue and the floor of the mouth (a tongue-tie) or between the area behind the upper lip and the gums above the top row of teeth (a lip-tie).
In most cases, this banded tissue will stretch and pose no issues once a baby is born; however, the frenulum may become malformed, resulting in a tight and restricted space, making it difficult for proper lip and tongue movement.
Why Is It Important to Treat Lip & Tongue-Ties?
The reason so many pediatric dentists encourage lip and tongue-tie treatment is that without it, the effects can worsen as a child grows older.
During infancy, a baby may struggle to breastfeed or take a bottle, making them irritable and hungry. This can lead to painful nursing, colic, acid reflux, and poor weight gain.
During childhood, difficulty eating certain foods can cause digestive issues, slurred speech can make it challenging to talk to peers, and getting adequate rest can become problematic because of mouth breathing.
You may also notice that your child begins to experience an aversion to certain foods or textures, which can cause problems trying to get them to eat healthier, nutritious meals.
Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment
If one of our dentists at Garland Pediatric Dentistry recommends your child for lip and tongue-tie treatment, it will likely be referred to as a frenectomy. This process involves using a soft tissue laser to release the restricted tissue so that the lip or tongue can begin to move freely.
The procedure is quick and easy, thanks to the laser’s precise movement. There is little bleeding or swelling involved, and because the laser cauterizes and sterilizes the tissue during the process, the risk of infection remains low.
Our decision to incorporate a soft tissue laser as opposed to using traditional scalpels and sutures ensures a faster recovery after the procedure is complete.
Lip & Tongue-Tie FAQs
Is My Child Old Enough for Lip or Tongue Tie-Treatment?
Having a lip or tongue-tie can potentially impact your baby’s oral and overall well-being, so it’s only natural to want to address it as soon as possible. However, many well-meaning parents delay scheduling an appointment for their child because they assume they’re still too young to undergo an appropriate procedure to take care of it, such as a frenectomy.
Fortunately, there’s no age minimum for treating this condition. In fact, many infants undergo this service when they’re merely a few days old. Typically, the sooner you have the problem fixed, the less likely it is to impact your child’s development.
How Can I Prepare My Baby for a Frenectomy?
Are you wondering what steps you should take to get yourself and your little one ready for their frenectomy? Usually, there’s not much preparation required because your baby is too young to fully grasp what’s happening during their treatment. With that said, many kids are sensitive to their parents’ feelings and emotions. That means if you’re stressed out or on edge, they’re more likely to be anxious, too.
It might help to feed them about 60 to 90 minutes before their procedure so they’re not hungry or fussy. You can also help them with recovery by practicing proper suction techniques before their appointment by placing a clean finger on their gums and allowing them to try to form a seal around it.
Does a Frenectomy Hurt?
It’s natural to worry that your baby’s procedure might hurt, but our team in Garland utilizes state-of-the-art technology to provide more comfortable, accurate results. For instance, we use an advanced soft tissue laser to release the restricted band of tissue to restore a full range of motion to the lip or tongue.
This specially designed instrument cauterizes the incision and sterilizes your child’s tissues in the process, which reduces the risk of infection and keeps bleeding to a minimum. It doesn’t usually cause much pain, though a local anesthetic may be applied to ensure that your child remains calm and comfortable.
How Long Does a Frenectomy Usually Take?
Are you concerned that your infant’s treatment will be long or agonizing? Thankfully, this procedure can often be completed in just a few minutes, as we utilize a state-of-the-art soft tissue laser to perform it.
However, it can last longer if their frenulum is particularly thick or if they have difficulty remaining still. Our team can provide more detailed information about your child’s unique circumstances, including how long we anticipate the procedure taking, after your initial consultation.