Frenectomies – Corpus Christi, TX
Gentle Relief for Lip & Tongue Ties
Lip and tongue ties can interfere with a child’s comfort and quality of life in a number of ways. At South Texas Periodontics & Implants, we offer gentle frenectomies using advanced soft tissue laser technology to help your child thrive. If you’re concerned your child may have a lip-tie or tongue-tie, our periodontal team can evaluate their needs and provide the most effective treatment possible. Read more below to learn all about frenectomies and how they can improve your child’s health and joy.
Why Choose South Texas Periodontics & Implants for Frenectomies?
- Experienced and Friendly Dental Experts
- Advanced Soft Tissue Laser Technology
- Dental Team Eager to Help Your Family
How Do Lip and Tongue Ties Develop?
Lip and tongue ties occur when the frenum, which is the small band of tissue that connects the lips or tongue to nearby structures, is too short, thick, or restrictive. These ties form during early fetal development and can vary in severity from child to child. While some mild ties cause no issues, more restrictive ones can interfere with oral function, especially during feeding and early speech development.
If you suspect your child might be suffering from a lip or tongue-tie, here are some signs to watch for:
- Difficulty breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, including frequent unlatching
- Poor weight gain or slow feeding sessions
- Digestive issues like colic or reflux
- Inability to hold a pacifier in their mouth
- Irritability during or after feeding
For parents:
- Cut, blistered, or flattened nipples
- Pain during nursing
- Clogged milk ducts
- Low milk quantity
Recognizing these signs early can help you find help quickly before complications worsen.
Why is it Important to Treat Lip & Tongue Ties?
Leaving lip or tongue ties untreated doesn’t just affect your child in the short term—it can also interfere with their development over time. Even mild ties can affect how a child eats, speaks, and breathes. Getting treatment early helps kids grow up healthy and prevents chronic issues.
Potential complications for untreated ties, include:
- Difficulty speaking or forming certain sounds
- Speech delays
- Digestive problems, including acid reflux
- Breathing difficulties and airway restriction
- Forward head and neck posture
- Teeth grinding
Frenectomies
A frenectomy is a fast, straightforward procedure that releases the tight frenum to restore proper movement. At our Corpus Christi practice, our team performs frenectomies using a state-of-the-art soft tissue laser, which can remove the restrictive tissue with tenderness and precision.
Laser treatment minimizes bleeding, reduces discomfort, and typically eliminates the need for stitches. Most children can go back to normal activities the next day, and infants often feed more effectively immediately after treatment.
Compared with traditional frenectomy treatment that uses surgical scissors, laser frenectomies offer:
- Minimal bleeding
- Little to no discomfort
- Faster healing
- Reduced swelling
- No sutures needed
- Better precision
If you’re feeling hopeful that a frenectomy could help your child improve their quality of life, let us help. Call our office or schedule your consultation online. A more comfortable future for your child could be just one short appointment away.
Frenectomies FAQs
How Should I Prepare My Baby for a Frenectomy?
Babies do not need much preparation before receiving frenectomies. Infants will not understand what is going on or remember the treatment afterward, but it’s best to stay calm while anticipating their procedure to prevent them from experiencing extra stress. It’s best to feed your child about sixty to ninety minutes before their procedure so they will be a little hungry and ready to nurse or feed afterward.
During the day or two before your procedure, you can help your baby learn to suck with their tongue by doing several exercises. For example, you can place a clean finger on their tongue. When the child starts to suck on it, gently pull it away so they have to work a little harder to keep their grip on it. You can also run a clean finger along their lower gums so their tongue will follow the movement and develop its important lateral function.
Does a Frenectomy Hurt?
At South Texas Periodontics and Implants, we perform frenectomies with specialized soft tissue lasers that minimize discomfort, bleeding, and the risk of infection. This precise instrument will gently remove the problem tissue while cauterizing the surgical wound as it works, which will help keep the area clean and promote smooth healing. However, your child may require a local anesthetic before receiving the treatment if the tissue being removed is especially thick.
How Long Does a Frenectomy Take?
Frenectomies are relatively simple procedures that usually take less than a half hour, and the process is normally even quicker with a soft tissue laser. However, your child’s procedure may take more time if the targeted tissue is especially thick or if they need to have both their lip and tongue treated. We’ll be happy to explain your child’s procedure and give you a proper estimate for how much time it will take when we see you for their consultation.
What Could Happen if My Child Doesn’t Receive a Needed Frenectomy?
Neglecting to address your child’s lip or tongue-tie with a frenectomy can have negative consequences for their quality of life for many years. These problems can make breastfeeding or bottle feeding difficult, which can lead to malnutrition or insufficient weight gain. The child may also have difficulty eating comfortably or speaking clearly as they get older, and they may develop issues like poor oral health, sleep apnea, or neck and shoulder pain in adulthood. If your dentist recommends a frenectomy for your child, you can rest assured that the procedure is in their best interest.