What are Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie?

Tongue-tie is a congenital disorder in which the bottom of the tongue is attached to the floor of the mouth by an unusually short, thick, or tight band of tissue called the lingual frenulum, which limits the tongue’s range of motion. It can resemble a heart-shaped tongue tip. On the other hand, a lip-tie limits the movement of a baby’s upper lip because of a thick or tight band of tissue (labial frenulum) that connects the upper lip to the upper gums.

Both conditions frequently make it difficult for a baby to breastfeed, which can result in pain, poor weight gain, and excessive air swallowing. Tongue-tie and lip-tie can also lead to gum inflammation, tooth decay, and a wide gap between the upper front teeth.

Correct Tongue or Lip Restrictions and Enhance Oral Function

Frenectomy is a quick and minimally invasive surgical operation that removes or alters the lingual and labial frenulum to fix a tongue-tie and lip-tie. It helps release your tongue and upper lip, facilitating better movement and improved function. The procedure can help infants with breastfeeding and children with proper oral health and speech development.

At Danos Dental, Dr. Danos performs a frenectomy with local anaesthesia and uses either a scalpel or a laser. The surgery usually takes around 15 to 30 minutes, and because it is an outpatient procedure, you or your child can go home right after. Recovering from a frenectomy is quick, usually in a matter of weeks. Dr. Danos will prescribe pain medications to help ease any discomfort your children may experience during recovery.

Any age, including adulthood, can undergo a frenectomy. However, we usually advise frenectomies for newborns or toddlers under two years old to reduce issues related to lip-tie and tongue-tie. This early age guideline can reduce detrimental effects on nutrition and speech development.

Enhance Your Child’s Development with Frenectomy

Tongue-tie and lip-tie are birth problems that no parents would want for their children. However, they are not something you have to worry about either. Danos Dental offers frenectomy in Murfreesboro, TN, to help treat your infant’s or toddler’s tongue-tie and lip-tie, so they can feed correctly, maintain proper oral health, and achieve optimal speech development.