A tongue tie or lip tie can affect more than just oral development. Depending on its severity, it may contribute to difficulty breastfeeding, speech challenges, limited tongue movement, oral hygiene concerns, or discomfort during everyday activities.
At First Class Smiles, we evaluate tongue ties and lip ties to determine whether a frenectomy may be beneficial. Every patient is different, and we’ll recommend treatment only when it’s appropriate for your individual needs.
What Is a Frenectomy?
A frenectomy is a procedure that releases or removes a tight band of tissue called a frenum. The two most common types are a lingual frenectomy, which treats a tongue tie, and a labial frenectomy, which treats a lip tie.
By improving the movement of the tongue or lip, a frenectomy may help improve oral function when a restrictive frenum is causing problems.
What Is a Tongue Tie?
A tongue tie occurs when the tissue beneath the tongue is unusually short, thick, or tight, limiting normal tongue movement. Some tongue ties cause few or no symptoms, while others interfere with feeding, speech, or daily activities.
Not every tongue tie requires treatment, so a thorough evaluation is important before making a recommendation.
What Is a Lip Tie?
A lip tie occurs when the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums limits the normal movement of the lip. In some cases, this may contribute to breastfeeding challenges, difficulty maintaining oral hygiene, or spacing between the upper front teeth.
We’ll evaluate whether the lip tie is affecting function before recommending treatment.
Who May Benefit from a Frenectomy?
Depending on age and individual circumstances, treatment may be recommended for patients experiencing:
- Difficulty breastfeeding or maintaining a proper latch.
- Restricted tongue movement.
- Speech concerns related to tongue mobility.
- Difficulty maintaining oral hygiene.
- A persistent gap between the upper front teeth related to the frenum.
- Discomfort or limited oral function.
We may also recommend working with your physician, pediatrician, lactation consultant, or speech-language pathologist when appropriate.
How Is a Frenectomy Performed?
After evaluating your condition, we’ll explain the procedure and discuss what to expect. Depending on the patient’s age and clinical needs, treatment may be performed using techniques designed to minimize discomfort while promoting healing.
Our team will also provide instructions for recovery and answer any questions before treatment begins.
What Is Recovery Like?
Most patients recover quickly after a frenectomy. Mild soreness is common for a short time, and we’ll provide personalized instructions for eating, oral hygiene, and any recommended exercises during the healing process.
Following these instructions carefully helps support healing and the best possible outcome.
How Do You Know If Treatment Is Needed?
Not every tongue tie or lip tie requires treatment. Our recommendation is based on whether the frenum is affecting normal function rather than its appearance alone.
During your evaluation, we’ll explain our findings and discuss whether monitoring or treatment is the most appropriate option.
Why Choose First Class Smiles?
We believe treatment decisions should be based on careful evaluation and each patient’s individual needs. Our team takes time to explain your diagnosis, answer your questions, and recommend treatment only when it’s likely to improve oral function or comfort.
Whether you’re seeking care for your child or yourself, we’re committed to providing compassionate, personalized treatment in a comfortable environment
