Lip and Tongue Tie Frenectomy in Citrus Heights, CA
A restrictive lip or tongue attachment can affect oral movement and function at different stages of life. In infants, a lip or tongue tie may interfere with breastfeeding. In children and adults, restricted movement may affect eating, swallowing, speech, tongue mobility, or oral hygiene.
At our Citrus Heights dental office, we evaluate lip and tongue ties and provide frenectomy treatment for infants, children, and adults when clinically appropriate. Because the degree of restriction and its effects can vary from one patient to another, an examination is important before treatment is recommended.
Understanding Lip and Tongue Ties
When the lingual frenulum restricts normal tongue movement, the condition is known as tongue tie or ankyloglossia. Restriction of the lip frenulum can also interfere with normal lip mobility.
Depending on the patient’s age and individual circumstances, a restrictive frenulum may be associated with difficulties involving nursing, eating, swallowing, speech, tongue movement, or oral hygiene. Children with a tongue tie may have difficulty moving the tongue from side to side or lifting it toward the roof of the mouth, and some may have a heart-shaped appearance at the tip of the tongue.
Our dentist in Citrus Heights, CA, can evaluate the frenulum, oral movement, and the concerns that brought you or your child to the office before determining whether treatment is appropriate.
How Can Lip or Tongue Ties Affect Infants?
In infants, restricted lip or tongue movement may become noticeable during breastfeeding. A restrictive lip attachment may make it more difficult for a baby to create an effective seal during nursing, while a tongue tie may interfere with normal tongue movement during breastfeeding.
Concerns described in the treatment information include:
A breastfeeding parent may also experience painful nursing or latching, sore or cracked nipples, engorgement, plugged milk ducts, or mastitis.
These concerns can have multiple causes, so their presence alone does not establish that an infant has a lip or tongue-tie. A professional evaluation is needed to determine whether a restrictive frenulum may be contributing to feeding difficulties.
Frenectomy for Infants, Children, and Adults
A frenectomy releases restrictive frenulum tissue when it interferes with lip or tongue mobility, and treatment is considered appropriate after evaluation. Our practice offers lip- and tongue-tie revisions for infants, children, and adults.
For patients searching for a “frenectomy near me”, the first step is an evaluation to determine the location and extent of the restriction and how it may be affecting function. Treatment recommendations are made according to the patient’s individual findings, concerns, age, and needs.
DEKA CO₂ Laser Frenectomy for Lip and Tongue Ties
Laser therapy may be used to release restrictive lip or tongue frenulum tissue. The DEKA CO₂ laser used for frenectomy is a non-contact laser that uses focused energy to release restrictive frenulum tissue rather than traditional cutting instrumentation. During treatment, the laser can also help seal small blood vessels, which may help limit bleeding. The treatment materials also describe the laser as sealing blood vessels during treatment, which can help limit bleeding.
Possible benefits of laser frenectomy include less bleeding and, for some patients, little or no need for sutures. The treatment process and recovery may differ from patient to patient depending on the nature and extent of the restriction and other clinical factors.
Evaluation Before Lip or Tongue-Tie Revision
Not every lip or tongue frenulum necessarily requires treatment. Evaluation focuses on whether the tissue restricts movement or contributes to functional concerns. The evaluation may differ according to the patient’s age, symptoms, type of restriction, and functional concerns.
Some restrictions may be easier to identify than others, which is why appropriate professional evaluation is important. After examining the area and discussing the concerns you have noticed, the dentist can explain the findings and whether frenectomy or another next step may be appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
A tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, occurs when the lingual frenulum restricts the tongue's range of motion. Depending on the degree of restriction and the patient's age, it may be associated with difficulties involving breastfeeding, eating, swallowing, speech, tongue movement, or oral hygiene. An evaluation can help determine whether the frenulum is interfering with function.
A frenectomy releases restrictive frenulum tissue. It may be considered when a lip or tongue tie limits mobility or contributes to functional concerns. An examination is needed to determine whether treatment is appropriate for the individual patient.
A frenectomy releases restrictive tissue that limits normal lip or tongue movement. The DEKA CO₂ laser may be used to perform the procedure without traditional cutting instrumentation. The non-contact laser releases the restrictive attachment while helping control bleeding during treatment.
Frenectomy may be considered at different stages of life. Our practice offers lip- and tongue-tie revisions for infants, children, and adults. Whether the procedure is appropriate depends on the patient's clinical findings, degree of restriction, functional concerns, and individual needs.
Recovery varies from patient to patient. The supplied treatment materials describe laser frenectomy as associated with minimal bleeding and, in some cases, a reduced or eliminated need for sutures. Your dental team can provide instructions based on the procedure performed and your individual needs and explain when to contact the office with questions or concerns during recovery.
