Lip and Tongue Tie Treatment in Pepper Pike, OH
Restoring Your Baby’s Oral Function
Does your baby have a difficult time moving their mouth and tongue? Perhaps they have trouble breastfeeding, or
perhaps they can’t speak clearly. These are common signs of a lip-tie or tongue-tie. This is when a band of
connected tissue called the frenulum becomes too thick, impeding freer movement. Fortunately, at Dental &
Cosmetic Solutions, we offer fast and easy lip and tongue tie treatment in Cleveland! We use a state-of-the-art soft
tissue laser to perform frenectomies right here in our office. To discover if a lip-tie treatment or tongue-tie
treatment is right for your child, don’t hesitate to reach out to us and schedule a consultation.
How Do Lip and Tongue Ties Develop?
If you look closely at your baby’s mouth, you’ll notice that there is a small piece of tissue underneath their tongue as well as underneath their upper lip. These are called frenula, and they typically help support proper oral function. However, if the lip or tongue frenulum becomes too thick, they have the opposite effect and begin to limit movement of the tongue and lips. While lip and tongue ties are most commonly diagnosed and treated in infants, untreated lip or tongue ties can persist into adulthood.
Why is it Important to Treat Lip & Tongue Ties?
A lip or tongue tie treatment may be needed if these warning signs are present:
- In infants, difficulty breastfeeding
- In toddlers, gagging, choking, coughing when eating
- Severe lisp or other speech impediments
- Large gap between the top or bottom front teeth
- Mouth breathing
- Sleeping with mouth open
- In adults, neck or shoulder pain/tension
If you are concerned about your child’s lip or tongue tie, don’t hesitate to bring them in for an evaluation. We’ll consider their health and the severity of the issue to determine if a frenectomy is recommended.
Frenectomy: Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment
At Dental & Cosmetic Solutions, we can quickly and easily address a lip or tongue tie with a simple procedure called a frenectomy. It works the same way for patients of all ages, whether they’re infants, children, or adults. First, the area is numbed with a local anesthetic. Then, we’ll use our state-of-the-art soft tissue laser to remove just enough excess tissue. This advanced piece of technology ensures that the lip and tongue tie treatment is as quick and comfortable as possible. It’s also extremely precise, which ensures that it is minimally invasive and provides a faster recovery time.
Frenectomy FAQs
A frenectomy is a fairly simple and straightforward procedure, but if you’re unfamiliar with it, chances are there are a few things you’ll want to know before you bring your child in for an appointment. Our team will be happy to answer all of your questions related to the treatment. Below are the answers to a few questions that many parents find themselves asking before scheduling a frenectomy for their child’s lip or tongue-tie.
How Long Will the Procedure Take?
The answer to this question is different for every patient. The appointment will usually be at least one hour to help ensure that parents are fully aware of all of their options before moving forward with the treatment. That said, in some cases, the actual frenectomy can be done in as little as four to five minutes. We’ll let you and your child stay in our office as long as necessary after your procedure so that you have a chance to feed or soothe them as needed.
How Soon Will I Be Able to Nurse My Baby?
You can nurse your baby after a frenectomy right away. In fact, we encourage you to do so, as breast milk contains antibodies that can help reduce your child’s risk of infection following their treatment. Nursing can also help ensure that the tongue and lips are in the correct position following the treatment. Simply put, when the child’s mouth is no longer restricted by an overdeveloped frenulum, the natural instincts are given a chance to correct themselves, allowing your little one to “re-learn” how to feed properly.
How Long Will It Take to Heal After Frenectomy?
It normally takes up to six weeks for the tissues in the mouth to fully recover after a frenectomy. Your child might feel some discomfort on and off, but it will get significantly better after the first two to five days. If there’s any swelling, you can give your child an ice pack to hold outside the face over the area in 20-minute intervals (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off). One of the most important steps is to keep your child’s mouth clean in the days following the surgery in order to avoid an infection. You can clean their teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush, but be gentle when working around the treatment area.
Is a Frenectomy Covered by Dental Insurance?
Yes, many dental plans do offer coverage for a frenectomy. The procedure may also be covered under regular health insurance plans as well. Of course, it all depends on what insurance you have in the first place. Before you schedule a frenectomy, you should call your insurance company to get the specifics of what is and isn’t covered under your plan. If coverage isn’t available, we can help you apply for financing through CareCredit, which helps simplify the cost of your care by allowing you to pay in several budget-friendly installments instead of all at once.