Infant Lip and Tongue Tie
Cosmetic Dentistry Grants Pass, OR
 A lingual frenectomy is a form of oral surgery that removes bands of tissue connecting the floor of the mouth and the underside of the tongue. Patients with this condition are referred to as tongue-tied and often struggle with eating, swallowing, or speaking.
What is Tongue-Tie?
The frenulum is the thin tissue connecting the bottom of the mouth and the tongue. Some children have a very short frenulum when they are born. Since the tongue is an incredibly important organ for speaking and swallowing, these actions are much more difficult when the frenulum is shorter. Newborns may have trouble nursing if they have a short frenulum, making weight gain harder.
This condition is known as tongue-tie or ankyloglossia and can also lead to dental problems in children. It may call for surgery in the form of a lingual frenectomy, which removes the frenulum. Dr. Darren S. Huddleston, DMD makes a small incision on the frenulum to free up the tongue.
Benefits of Lingual Frenectomy
The procedure is quick, lasting only a few minutes. The recovery is also swift, as the discomfort will subside after a few days. You’ll experience improvements in speech, eating, swallowing, and (for infants) nursing.
Risks and Side Effects
Dr. Darren S. Huddleston, DMD will let you know what kinds of risks and potential side effects may occur before beginning the oral surgery. The most common risks for this procedure are pain, inflammation, infection, excessive bleeding, and nerve damage to the tongue and mouth, along with the risks from anesthesia if we use any. There’s also a chance the frenulum will reattach, but this is rare.
Before the Procedure
Dr. Darren S. Huddleston, DMD will give you instructions on how to prepare for oral surgery. This includes abstaining from food and water for a few hours before the procedure, depending on whether or not anesthesia is used. Remember to fill any prescriptions beforehand, so they’re ready once you get home.
During the Procedure
The first thing Dr. Darren S. Huddleston, DMD will do is use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the frenulum. If the patient is a child, they may receive general anesthesia. The dentist will then use a scalpel or laser to make a slight incision on the frenulum to free up the tongue. The final step is usually attaching a few stitches in the mouth to aid the healing process.
After the Procedure
After the oral surgery is completed, we will give you some instructions on what to do during the recovery period. We will also schedule a follow-up appointment about a week after the procedure to make sure your mouth is healing properly. If there’s any risk of scarring, which can lead to the frenulum reattaching, we want to catch it as early as possible.
Keep children off of their bellies, as this puts pressure on their jaw and can hinder the healing process. Patients should also refrain from rinsing out their mouths for the first 24 hours after surgery. After a day or so elapses, it is recommended that you rinse out your mouth with salt water several times per day.
For more information, please contact our office, The Center for Esthetic Dentistry at 541-476-8788.
FAQs
What is an infant lip or tongue tie?
An infant lip or tongue tie occurs when a band of tissue restricts normal movement of the upper lip or tongue. This restriction may affect feeding, latch, swallowing, oral development, or comfort for the infant and nursing parent.
What signs may suggest my baby has a lip or tongue tie?
Signs may include difficulty latching, frequent clicking sounds while feeding, long or tiring feeding sessions, poor milk transfer, gassiness, reflux-like symptoms, slow weight gain, or nipple pain for the nursing parent. At The Center for Esthetic Dentistry, our dentists can evaluate oral tissue movement and discuss whether treatment may be appropriate.
How is a lip or tongue tie treated?
A lip or tongue tie may be treated with a frenectomy, which gently releases the restricted tissue to improve movement. Our dental team will explain the procedure, review your baby’s symptoms, and coordinate with other providers when needed to support feeding and oral function.
Is infant lip or tongue tie treatment comfortable?
Infant lip or tongue tie treatment is typically brief, and comfort measures may be used to help your baby during care. Our dentists will explain what to expect before, during, and after the procedure so parents feel prepared and informed.
What happens after a tongue tie or lip tie release?
After a release, your baby may need time to adjust to improved tongue or lip movement. The Center for Esthetic Dentistry will provide aftercare instructions and may recommend follow-up support with a lactation consultant, pediatrician, or other provider to help improve feeding function.
How do I know if my baby needs a lip or tongue tie evaluation?
If your baby is having feeding challenges, poor latch, slow weight gain, or symptoms that may be related to restricted oral movement, an evaluation can help determine whether a lip or tongue tie is contributing to the problem. Our dental team can assess the tissue, movement, and function before recommending next steps. |
