Lip Tie and Tongue Tie
Some babies and toddlers struggle to eat due to issues with the connective tissue (frenum) under the lips, tongue, and gums. A frenectomy is a minor procedure your child's dentist can perform to fix the issue quickly and easily.
What are Tongue Ties and Lip Ties?
A tongue tie happens when the tissue (lingual frenulum) connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short, thick, or tight, limiting movement. This can cause difficulties with breastfeeding in infants, speech challenges in children, and even issues with oral hygiene or swallowing in older patients.
A lip tie occurs when the tissue (labial frenulum) connecting the upper lip to the gums is restrictive. This can interfere with breastfeeding, contribute to gaps between the front teeth, or cause gum irritation.
Not all ties require treatment, but when they do, a simple procedure called a frenectomy can release the tissue and improve feeding, speech, and oral health.
What is a Frenectomy?
A frenectomy is a dental procedure used to remove or modify the frenulum, a small fold of tissue that prevents the lips or tongue from moving too far. This procedure can be performed either on the lip (labial frenulum) or under the tongue (lingual frenulum). It is usually recommended when the frenulum is too tight or thick, which can cause problems such as speech challenges, restricted movements, or interference with other treatments.
Dentists Specializing in Frenectomies For Lip and Tongue Ties
If your child is struggling with latching during breastfeeding, eating off a spoon, or speaking, schedule a consultation with one of our specialists. They might have a tongue tie or lip tie, and a frenectomy might be a simple solution. We offer frenectomies at each of our three locations.
Broad Smiles – Lynn, MA — Call us or schedule online.
Broad Smiles – Lynnfield, MA — Call us or schedule online.
Broad Smiles – Salem, MA — Call us or schedule online.
How Do I Know if My Child Needs a Frenectomy?
There are several signs that a frenectomy may be needed. This condition would make it difficult for infants to nurse, breastfeed, or feed from a bottle. In toddlers, children may experience difficulty speaking because they can’t extend their tongue as other kids can. In extreme cases, swallowing may cause difficulty.
Extended maxillary labial frenum could cause orthodontic problems and interfere with the proper growth and spacing of the upper two front teeth, often leaving a gap between these teeth.
Every infant or child who comes in for a consultation will have ample time to review symptoms with the doctor. We want to ensure that the procedure is recommended and that the patient will benefit. There are patients that we recommend against the procedure after a consultation.
If you suspect your child may need a frenectomy or have any questions about frenectomies, call either of our Massachusetts offices.
Call Our Lynn Office Call Our Salem Office Call Our Lynnfield Office
What Issues Can a Frenectomy Fix?
A frenectomy can help with a number of issues that young children and toddlers can face, such as:
- Breastfeeding issues. A frenectomy can help infants have the correct mouth and tongue position when breastfeeding. This allows the infant to feed easily and painlessly.
- Feeding issues. Children who receive frenectomies often have functional improvements with eating, and often are able to eat faster.
- Breathing/airway issues. When the tongue is restricted, it can adopt a lowered posture, which can alter palate development and growth of the lower jaw. These can result in a smaller airway which is more prone to collapse during sleep.
- Speech issues. Freeing up the tongue and lips makes speech easier and more natural for children.
Frenectomy Procedure
There are two types of frenectomies commonly performed, a lingual frenectomy and a maxillary frenectomy. Instead of using scissors or a scalpel, we use a CO2 laser called a LightScalpel. This makes the procedure quick with minimal to no bleeding. Depending on the age of the child, we may use a topical anesthetic or Novocaine to numb the area to help with immediate discomfort. It takes less than 15 minutes to perform and recovery takes approximately 2 weeks.
Lingual Frenectomy
A lingual frenectomy involves removing the tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Lingual frenectomies are commonly used to correct a condition called Ankyloglossia, otherwise known as tongue-tie. Tongue-tie is usually related to a short, thick frenum, which limits the tongue’s capacity to move.
Ankyloglossia can make it difficult for infants to breastfeed. It can also impact speech and eating in children and adults. Patients often try to compensate for the lack of tongue mobility by changing their jaw position – resulting in other orthodontic issues.
Maxillary Frenectomy
A maxillary frenectomy involves removing the piece of tissue connecting the upper gums to the front teeth – commonly referred to as a lip-tie. Everyone has this tissue, but most issues arise when the tissue is excessively large or tight in infants. Newborns who cannot flare or curl out their lips have problems latching onto the breast while breastfeeding.
In older children and adults, a large frenum can also push the front teeth apart, creating a gap between them and necessitating orthodontic treatment once permanent teeth come in.
Read More About Frenectomy ProceduresFrenectomy Procedure Cost
Broad Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is committed to providing affordable care to all of its patients. The price of the procedure is listed below, but please note that the cost can slightly vary depending on the needs of each patient.
Cost Per Arch: $609
Consultation Fee: $125
If procedure is completed the same day as the consultation, the consultation fee is waived. Out of pocket cost for any procedure depends on your insurance coverage at the time of procedure.
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Frenectomy Procedure Aftercare
In most cases, we recommend three weeks of stretching be done by the parents to allow for optimal healing of the area. We will give you instructions on how to complete these stretches. Your child may benefit from Tylenol or Motrin for the first few days after the procedure. You will have two follow-up visits after: one week and three weeks post-procedure. You may also have a Zoom call with Dr. Park to review the healing and stretches a few days after.
Within the first week, we expect about 50% of the healing to take place. In the following two weeks, when we do our three-week follow-up, we expect that the site will be 90% healed.
Meet Your Frenectomy Specialist
Dr. Hubert Park
Dr. Hubert Park has completed TUFTS Dental Pediatric Sleep Medicine mini-residency and ALSC (American Laser Study Club) Breathe & Thrive Symposium. Additionally, Dr. Park has completed laser courses, tongue-tie courses, and direct training with Dr. Marty Kaplan.
A Kid-Friendly Dental Experience
We specialize in providing first-class dental care to children of all ages. What's more, we are parents too! Therefore, we understand the busy lives of families and have created an experience to make your dental visits simpler. Learn more about our services or schedule an appointment today.
