Tongue and Lip Tie Release

At Little Lion dental Clinic, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality care for children of all ages. Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) and lip tie are conditions that can affect a child’s ability to feed, speak, and maintain proper oral health. We offer specialized services to address these issues in both infants and older children, ensuring that each child receives the appropriate care for their age and developmental needs.

SERVICES FOR INFANTS

Understanding Tongue Tie and Lip Tie:

• Tongue Tie (Ankyloglossia): A condition where the frenulum (the tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth) is too tight or short, restricting tongue movement.
  
• Lip Tie: A condition where the frenulum connecting the upper lip to the gum is too tight, which can affect the baby’s ability to latch and feed properly.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Breastfeeding Difficulties:
  • Poor Latch: The baby may struggle to latch deeply, leading to an incomplete or shallow latch and inadequate milk intake.
  • Nipple Pain: Mothers may experience pain, cracked nipples, or soreness due to the baby’s ineffective latch or poor sucking technique.
  • Frequent Feedings: The baby might need to feed more often or for longer periods due to inefficient feeding, leading to disrupted sleep and increased fatigue.
  • Clicking Sounds: A clicking or popping noise during breastfeeding may indicate that the baby is struggling to maintain suction.
• Feeding Issues:
  • Inadequate Milk Intake: Poor weight gain or slow growth can be signs of difficulties with feeding, observed through inadequate growth on weight charts or frequent hunger cues.
  • Fussiness: Increased irritability or fussiness during and after feedings may indicate frustration with feeding challenges
• Oral Health Concerns:
  • Gaps Between Teeth: Restricted tongue movement can lead to spacing issues or gaps between the front teeth as the baby grows.
  • Difficulty Clearing Milk: Trouble clearing milk from the mouth may increase the risk of oral thrush or other infections.

Assessment and Treatment:

• Comprehensive Evaluation: Examination of oral structures, feeding patterns, and symptoms to determine the need for intervention.
• Frenectomy Procedures:
  • Laser Frenectomy: A minimally invasive procedure using a laser to release the frenulum with minimal bleeding and faster healing.
  • Traditional Frenectomy: Involves surgical tools with local anesthesia to release the frenulum, ensuring the baby’s comfort during the procedure.

Benefits of Treatment:·        

• Improved feeding efficiency and weight gain, reduced feeding-related pain, and prevention of future oral health issues.

Post-Procedure Care:

• Instructions for caring for the surgical site, exercises to improve tongue and lip mobility, and follow-up visits to monitor healing.

SERVICES FOR OLDER KIDS & TEENS

Understanding Tongue Tie and Lip Tie:

• Tongue Tie (Ankyloglossia): Restricted tongue movement due to a tight or short frenulum, impacting speech and oral hygiene.
• Lip Tie: A tight frenulum affecting the upper lip, contributing to dental alignment issues and oral hygiene challenges.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Speech Difficulties:
  • Articulation Issues: Difficulty pronouncing sounds like “t,” “d,” “l,” and “r,” resulting in unclear or difficult-to-understand speech.
  • Speech Delays: Noticeable delays in speech development or challenges with pronunciation, affecting communication skills and social interactions.
• Oral Hygiene Challenges:
  • Difficulty Brushing: Limited tongue mobility can make it challenging to clean the back teeth effectively, leading to plaque buildup.
  • Increased Plaque and Cavities: Difficulty maintaining proper oral hygiene may result in more plaque accumulation and a higher risk of cavities.
• Eating and Chewing Issues:
  • Difficulty Chewing: Problems with biting and chewing tougher foods, leading to discomfort and a preference for softer foods.
  • Food Preferences: A restricted diet due to difficulty with certain types of food, impacting nutritional intake.
• Dental Alignment Concerns:
  • Spacing Issues: Development of gaps or spacing between front teeth due to restricted tongue movement, potentially affecting dental alignment and bite.
  • Orthodontic Complications: Potential impact on orthodontic treatment, with difficulties in achieving desired results with braces or aligners.

Assessment and Treatment:

• Comprehensive Evaluation: Assessment of oral function, speech, and eating patterns with a personalized treatment plan.
• Frenectomy Procedures:
  • Laser Frenectomy: Precise and minimally invasive, using a laser to release the frenulum with reduced discomfort and faster recovery.
  • Traditional Frenectomy: Uses surgical tools with local anesthesia, involving careful management to ensure effective and comfortable treatment.

What is Laser Treatment?

Laser Treatment Overview: Laser treatment involves the use of a focused beam of light to perform surgical procedures with high precision. In the context of tongue tie and lip tie, a laser is used to release the tight or restrictive frenulum (the band of tissue connecting the tongue or lip to the gum) that is causing functional issues.

Benefits of Laser Treatment:

• Precision: Lasers allow for precise cutting of tissue with minimal damage to surrounding areas. This precision reduces the risk of complications and promotes faster healing.
• Minimal Bleeding: The laser cauterizes blood vessels as it cuts, which minimizes bleeding and reduces the need for stitches.
• Reduced Discomfort: The laser treatment is typically less painful compared to traditional surgical methods, leading to less post-procedure discomfort for the patient.
• Faster Recovery: Patients often experience quicker recovery times due to the minimal invasiveness of the procedure and reduced risk of infection or complications.
• Less Anesthesia Required: Local anesthesia is usually sufficient, making the procedure safer and more comfortable for the patient.

How Does Laser Treatment Work?

Procedure Steps:

1. Evaluation: The procedure begins with a thorough examination and assessment of the frenulum to determine the best course of action.
2. Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is applied to numb the area being treated, ensuring the patient’s comfort during the procedure.
3. Laser Application: The laser is precisely directed to the frenulum to release the tight tissue. The laser beam vaporizes the excess tissue and cauterizes blood vessels simultaneously.
4. Post-Procedure Care: The treated area is monitored, and care instructions are provided. The patient may experience some discomfort, which is usually mild and manageable with over-the-counter pain relief if needed.

Benefits of Treatment:

• Improved speech clarity, better oral hygiene, enhanced eating and chewing function, and prevention of orthodontic issues.

Post-Procedure Care:

• Detailed care instructions, exercises to prevent reattachment, and follow-up visits to ensure successful recovery.

At Little Lion Dental Clinic, we are dedicated to providing compassionate and effective care for children with tongue tie and lip tie. Whether addressing these issues in infants or older kids and teens, our experienced team is here to offer comprehensive evaluations and tailored treatments to support your child’s oral health and overall well-being. If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, please contact us to schedule an assessment and discuss the best treatment options for your child.