Laser tongue-tie and lip-tie release
A frenectomy is a quick laser procedure that frees a tight tongue or lip. For many babies and children, it makes feeding, speaking and sleeping easier.
What are tongue-ties and lip-ties?
Some children are born with extra-tight tissue, called a frenum, under the tongue or behind the upper lip. When it restricts movement, it’s called a tongue-tie or lip-tie. It can make everyday things like breastfeeding, speaking and gaining weight harder, and may contribute to dental problems such as tooth decay.
Estimates suggest that roughly 4 to 10 percent of infants are born with a tongue-tie.
Signs to watch for
In infants
- Struggling to nurse or take a bottle
- Milk dripping from the mouth while feeding
- Difficulty gaining weight
- Clicking or smacking sounds while eating
- Signs of reflux or colic
- Fussiness, often from excess gas
In older children
- Difficulty sleeping, mouth breathing, snoring or grinding
- A sensitive or overactive gag reflex
- Delayed speech, speaking softly, or being hard to understand
- Choking when eating or drinking
- Picky or slow eating
Left untreated, ties can have effects that last into adulthood, including speech difficulties and disturbed sleep.
How we perform a frenectomy
A frenectomy releases the frenum so the tongue or lip can move freely. It used to be done with a scalpel under general anesthesia, sometimes with stitches, and because of the risks of anesthesia, infants often weren’t offered treatment at all.
Today we do it with a laser, right in our office, often without anesthesia. It takes only a few minutes, typically needs no stitches, and causes minimal bleeding or swelling.
What families notice afterward
Children and infants can usually go right back to their normal day. Breastfed babies are encouraged to nurse immediately after treatment, which can help healing.
Many parents tell us that feeding gets easier and more comfortable, that picky or slow eaters develop better appetites, and that over time they notice clearer speech and better sleep.
Wondering if it’s a tongue-tie?
Book a consultation and we’ll take a look together.