Frenectomy / Tongue Tie Surgery Columbus OH
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Benefits of a Lingual Frenectomy
Correction of the lingual frenulum can:
- Improve feeding
- Enhance communication
- Enhance full expression
- Improve aesthetic appearance
Correction of the labial frenulum can also:
- Reduce oral discomfort
- Enhance function of the bite and improve feeding
- Stop the issue of gum recession
- Promote self-confidence
- Enhance aesthetic appearance
Removal of the excess tissue frees the tongue and lips to function correctly and allows the child’s mouth to continue to develop normally.
Diagnosing Tongue Tie or Lip Tie
A parent may notice tongue or lip tie in infancy if the baby is unable to nurse or take a bottle without difficulty. In most cases, a nursing consultant or pediatrician will refer the infant for surgical intervention, known as a frenectomy.
In less severe cases, the parent or child’s doctor may notice issues when the child is between 12-18 months of age. The child will have a hard time speaking and chewing, may continually bite their tongue, or may leave their tongue poking out of their mouth.
Lip ties can lead to one lip protruding over the other, as well as difficulty biting into things, and bleeding may often occur as small bits of food cut into the exposed tissue. If you notice these issues, it’s important to bring your child in for a frenectomy for the removal of the extra tissue. A periodontist’s office is the ideal setting for this procedure as the mouth tissue can be checked and monitored and the gums analyzed to allow the right amount of frenulum to remain for normal chewing and speech.
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Frenectomy Procedure
At Columbus’ Stoner Periodontic Specialists, modern dental technologies are used to offer incredibly advanced and virtually painless treatments to our patients. Our state-of-the-art laser technology is a smart piece of machinery that can target a specific area or tissue for precise removal without damage to surrounding tissues. This technology is typically used for the treatment of periodontal disease, gum recession issues, frenectomy procedures and other treatments when pinpoint precision and minimally invasive techniques are preferred.
A typical frenectomy (lip tie or tongue tie surgery) is a relatively simple procedure. When performed on newborns (as young as 3 months old), the procedure is no more than freeing the lingual frenulum under the tongue to allow the infant to latch correctly and feed normally. This procedure has minimal side effects and little or no recovery time. In most cases, the baby can begin feeding immediately afterward.
When a frenectomy is performed on a toddler or older child, a mild anesthetic is typically used. The frenulum is then separated using state-of-the-art laser gum therapy. A few sutures may be required depending on the severity of the tie and the amount of work needed to free the tongue or lip. The entire process is extremely short; typically, the laser frenectomy treatment only takes 15-30 minutes per patient.
Using laser therapy for childhood frenectomies has many advantages. Instead of using a cutting process, the laser simply contours the frenulum in the same way as it does gums for gum shortening, sealing tiny blood vessels as part of the process to minimize bleeding and completing the procedure with minimal discomfort on the part of the patient.
This method also makes the procedure easier on parents who understandably may be upset that their child is having to undergo a procedure at such a young age. The good news is that frenectomies have one of the highest success rates of all surgeries, results are instantaneous, and recovery is rapid.
Home Care After a Frenectomy
There is generally little or no post-treatment pain or swelling after a successful frenectomy. Infants can begin to breast or bottle feed directly after surgery and maintain full function of their mouths. Many young patients seem to suffer no discomfort or distress at all once the procedure is completed It’s important to schedule a follow-up appointment with your periodontist to ensure all issues have been corrected and healing is complete. In vary rare cases, a second frenectomy will be performed to fine tune the results and provide your child with optimal function of their lips and / or tongue. Once your child starts seeing a dentist for cleanings, they should continue seeing their dentist every six months. Let your child’s dentist know they had the procedure so their gum and frenulum tissue growth can be monitored as they age.
Ask us About Lip Tie or Tongue Tie Surgery for your Child
If you are interested in more information about lip tie or tongue tie surgery (frenectomy) at Stoner Periodontic Specialists, give us a call. One of our team members will answer your questions and can schedule you for an evaluation. A frenectomy can resolve many mouth issues for infants and young children and help their mouths develop properly while supporting feeding and speech capabilities. Call our office or contact us online using our online contact form for more information.