Lip ties and tongue ties occur when the small membranes that connect the mouth’s soft tissues (between the front teeth or between your tongue and the roof of your mouth) are thick or attached in a way that does not allow full mouth mobility. This naturally-occurring feature can cause a host of issues, including problems eating and breastfeeding, speech delays, and more.
Smiles of Dripping Springs offers the very best frenectomies in Dripping Springs because we have the best technology available for this process, the CO2 soft tissue laser. Our knowledgeable, caring doctors are ready to help you improve your baby’s feedings and well being!
How Do I Know If My Infant Needs A Lip-Tie Or Tongue-Tie Release?
Does your infant have trouble latching, or are you experiencing pain while breastfeeding? Our laser infant frenectomies are designed to provide relief for both baby and mom.
If your infant is suffering from the following symptoms, they could be a great candidate for lip tie or tongue tie relief:
- Colic
- Difficulty feeding
- Slow weight gain
- Persistent gassiness
- Falling asleep during feedings
- Difficulty sustaining a latch or holding a pacifier
Our Dripping Springs pediatric dentists are very adept at diagnosing lip ties and tongue ties and determining the best way to move forward.
Prior to the procedure, we will first consult with your pediatrician to determine if a frenectomy is best for you and your child. If you are not currently working with a lactation consultant, our doctors can examine your infant, then recommend a lactation consultant with whom your family can consult.
What Makes Our Lip and Tongue-Tie Releases Different
At Smiles of Dripping Springs, our doctors have invested in the very best tools to perform stress-free, comfortable frenectomies. To perform this procedure, we use a CO2 soft tissue laser, a quick and efficient device that allows us to complete the frenectomy in just a couple of seconds. This special laser also removes the need for stitches or sutures because most patients experience no bleeding at all!
What Should I Expect At The Consultation?
Prior to your consultation, our team asks that you complete a medical history form for your child to ensure that all considerations are assessed. From there, our doctors will likely perform a simple knee-to-knee exam or a lap exam with you and your infant. This simple and painless examination is usually all we need to determine if a frenectomy is the right choice for your child.
What Should I Expect During & After The Procedure?
As mentioned, our CO2 laser allows it so that the procedure only takes a few moments to complete. As with all procedures at our Dripping Springs dental office, frenectomies are designed to be efficient and as close to painless as possible. Before getting started, we’ll apply a safe, topical anesthetic to numb the area – no needles required!
Here’s a brief idea of what you should expect during your child’s procedure:
- You will accompany your child into the operatory.
- Your infant will be placed into a comfortable velcro swaddle and be given eye protection.
- A topical anesthetic will be placed on the area to be corrected.
- Our CO2 laser will swiftly and cleanly complete the lip tie or tongue tie release.
- Immediately after the procedure, you will sit in the comfort of a private suite to nurse or bottle-feed and soothe your child.
Post-Frenectomy Care
Even though the procedure takes only a few seconds, you’ll need to monitor your child for the next several days. Your child may experience some discomfort for 3-5 days following surgery. Complete healing generally takes 1-2 weeks.
We recommend following these guidelines after your child’s frenectomy:
- Nurse or bottle-feed directly after the procedure.
- Maintain normal oral hygiene, avoiding direct contact with the area of the surgery for the first 3-5 days.
- If bleeding occurs, provide light pressure with moist gauze for 20-30 minutes.
- Within a day after the procedure, the area of the surgery will begin to appear white and/or yellow, similar to pus. It is often mistaken as infection, but is a normal part of the healing process.
- Follow the daily exercises prescribed by our pediatric dentists.
- Follow up with your lactation consultant within a few days following the procedure if you are still having trouble with feeding.
Are They Beneficial For Older Children?
Lip tie and tongue tie releases can be beneficial for older children and adults as well. People with tight, thick, or highly attached frenums can suffer from a number of unpleasant symptoms, including:
- Gingival recession
- Difficulty achieving proper oral hygiene
- Extra space between the front teeth
- Difficulty with speech and pronunciation
- Teeth misalignment
- Impaired mobility of tongue and lips
Our quick and painless procedure allows our patients of all ages to move past these troubling symptoms and improve their oral health and overall well-being!
The Very Best Frenectomies In Dripping Springs, TX
If you would like our doctors to evaluate your child for a lip tie or tongue tie, please contact our Dripping Springs, TX office today!
