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Tongue and lip ties, also known as “ankyloglossia,” can affect your child’s ability to nurse, eat, and even speak properly. At San Marino Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Jessica Choi is here to help. Dr. Choi can help diagnose tongue and lip ties in infants and toddlers, and provide them with minimally-invasive frenectomy treatment with our state-of-the-art CO2 LightScalpel laser. Contact us today for an appointment!
A frenectomy is a procedure that’s used to treat tongue or lip ties (ankyloglossia). This condition occurs when the bands of tissue (frenulum) of the tongue or lips are excessively thick and strong. These thick bands of tissue can interfere with the proper movement of your child’s tongue and lips, resulting in a number of different issues with feeding and speech.
A frenectomy is a minimally-invasive procedure that’s used to release these bands of tissue, freeing your child’s tongue and/or lips to move properly, without the interference of tongue or lip ties.
If you think that your child may have tongue or lip ties, a frenectomy may be the right choice for them. In infants, tongue and lip ties usually result in difficulties latching during breastfeeding, excessive drooling, and “gumming” or chewing of the nipple when feeding.
Older kids may have symptoms like trouble eating from a spoon properly or eating finger foods. They may also have trouble pronouncing certain sounds that involve the tongue, like “t”, “d”, “n” and “th,” to name a few.
If you notice these symptoms in your child, come to San Marino Pediatric Dentistry for a consultation with Dr. Choi!
The laser frenectomy treatment is quite simple, pain-free, and takes only a few minutes at San Marino Pediatric Dentistry.
First, your child’s mouth will be cleaned and numbed with a topical anesthetic. Then, Dr. Choi will quickly release the frenulum with our light scalpel laser, allowing your child’s tongue or lips to move freely. Because the light laser cauterizes immediately, laser therapy for frenectomies ensures quick and painless healing. Plus, the entire process takes less than 15 minutes!
Your child may experience some mild discomfort from their frenectomy for a few days after their treatment, but their frenulum will be fully healed within a few weeks. It’s important to perform the after care exercises that ensure the tissues do not grow back together during healing. Dr. Choi will show you these exercises and give you instructions of when to perform them.
While your child is recovering, it’s important to keep the area clean and ensure no food or other particles are trapped near the affected area, as this could increase the risk of infection. Dr. Choi may also prescribe oral antibiotics in some cases, as this will also help prevent infections and complications. Follow her instructions if she prescribes any medication, and ensure your child takes the proper dosage.