Until you’re a parent, the terms tongue-tie and lip-tie may not mean very much. But as our pediatric dentist, Dr. Joshi, knows from personal experience, once you have a baby who suffers from one or both of these conditions, you realize just how difficult they can be—and how beneficial a frenectomy can be in providing relief.
DPD Smiles makes lip and tongue-tie releases in Wheaton a breeze by utilizing state-of-the-art laser technology. If your child shows signs of tongue-tip or lip-tie, we are here to help.
A frenectomy, also known as a lip-tie or tongue-tie release, is a simple procedure that removes or reduces connective tissue (frenum) from under the tongue or upper gums. It sounds painful, but thanks to cutting-edge dental laser technology, a frenectomy has never been easier.
A lingual frenectomy is performed to correct a tongue-tie, which limits the tongue’s ability to move. Babies with tongue-tie often have trouble breastfeeding, speaking, and eating. During a tongue-tie release, the frenum tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth is trimmed back.
A labial frenectomy is performed to correct a lip-tie. Children with a lip-tie have too much tissue connecting the upper or lower gums to the front of the teeth. This prevents newborns from latching during breastfeeding. If left untreated, not only will latching be a problem, a lip-tie can cause orthodontic issues in children and gum recession in adults.
Overall, a frenectomy is an essential oral treatment to help babies and children enjoy normal function of their mouth, stay healthy, and avoid speech problems in the future.
If you believe your child has a lip-tie or tongue-tie, call our office and set up a consultation with our pediatric dentist. We’ll assess your child’s condition, and if needed, schedule a time for their frenectomy. You do not need a referral to have a consultation or exam for a lip/tongue tie revision. The DPD Smiles team is proud to offer laser frenectomy using the gentle and efficient Waterlase laser system.
Patient safety and comfort is our highest priority. Many parents take a great deal of comfort in that this is a bladeless, sutureless, painless treatment solution. Conventional surgical scissors have a lower safety profile (especially in reference to scar tissue) than lasers do.
Using the Waterlase laser that combines light energy with water, Dr. Joshi can expertly eliminate the tissue causing a lip-tie or tongue-tie. We create a gentle, stress-free experience that makes it possible for your child to eat, talk, and drink without any difficulty.
As a dentist, I’ve helped kids and parents navigate nearly every dental issue imaginable. Even with experience, I felt surprised when doctors diagnosed my newborn son with tongue-tie.
Our pediatrician called it minor and said not to worry about it too much. My lactation consultant suggested working around it rather than treating it directly. But feedings became frustrating and difficult, and my baby started biting to compensate for poor latching.
We found a certified lactation consultant who helped us finally diagnose the true issue. Sahil had both a tongue-tie and lip-tie that limited his mouth and tongue movement. These restrictions affected his feeding and made nursing extremely stressful for both of us.
We tried every conservative approach our providers recommended before considering a laser frenectomy. We finally chose a laser frenectomy to free the tight tissues under his tongue and lip. This turned out to be the best decision we could have made for our family.
Since then, I’ve confidently recommended laser frenectomy to other parents facing similar struggles. The procedure takes only a few minutes with minimal bleeding and no stitches required. It’s quick, gentle, and far easier on both child and parent than many expect.
Call our office to learn how laser tongue-tie treatment can help your child thrive.
