Frenectomy Procedure At Puget Sound Pediatric Dentistry
Tongue-tie, also known as ankyloglossia, is a condition in which the frenulum- a thin piece of tissue that attaches the tongue to the bottom of the mouth- is too tight. This can restrict tongue movement and cause speech, eating, and swallowing problems. A frenectomy procedure is a surgical procedure to remove the frenulum, which can help improve these symptoms.
Why A Frenectomy Is Done
A frenectomy procedure is done for many different reasons. One reason would be if it’s causing speech problems like lisping or problems with saying consonants like S, P, T, K, etc. Another reason would be if it is interfering with breastfeeding or other oral functions like eating.
Frenectomy Procedure
A frenectomy is a common surgical procedure to remove the frenulum, the thin piece of tissue that attaches the tongue to the bottom of the mouth. The surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis, with local anesthesia. Recovery time is usually short, and most children can return to their normal activities within a few days.
The surgery is done by making a small cut in the frenulum and then pulling it out. The surgery is usually done with local anesthesia, which numbs the area around the surgery. The procedure only takes about 10-15 minutes to complete.
The patient can return home right after the procedure but should rest for a few hours afterward. There may be mild discomfort, but the patient can take pain medication to ease it. The tongue will feel slightly different after the surgery, but this new feeling should disappear within 2-3 weeks.
Benefits
A frenectomy procedure can help improve speech and swallowing problems in children and adults.
Some benefits of a frenectomy in babies include:
- Enhance your baby’s ability to nurse
- Help alleviate breast pain during nursing
- Result in more successful breastfeeding
- Allow adequate stimulation to promote milk production
- Reduce discouragement while encouraging a positive mother/baby bonding experience
- Ensure that your baby is receiving adequate amounts of milk for proper growth
- Decrease the risk of breast infections
- Alleviate reflux, gassiness, and colic in your baby
- Lessen the frequency of nursing due to the baby’s ability to be satisfied at each feeding
Puget Sound Pediatric Dentistry offers state-of-the-art laser frenectomy procedure services to infants and children who have tongue-tie or lip-tie. Our pediatric dentist uses a soft tissue diode laser to provide precise, minimally- invasive treatment to release the tongue or lip-tie, which can be done in either our Marysville office or our Monroe office.