TONGUE-TIE AND LIP-TIE REVISION

Treating Lip-tie and Tongue-tie Revision in Chattanooga, TN

Lip & Tongue-Tie Revision Explained

If you look in the mirror and open your mouth, you will notice a small piece of tissue, connected to the upper or lower lips, that attaches to the gums or the tongue. This tissue then connects to the floor of the mouth. This small portion of tissue is known as the frenum, and its purpose is to support the lips and tongue, and aid in limiting the movement of these oral structures. Tongue and lip-ties are caused by thick, short or otherwise malformed oral tissues. These ties can cause problems for infants and children. In infants, these ties can make breastfeeding very difficult and painful for the mother. In children, these ties can lead to problems speaking and eating, as well as dental and orthodontic issues. It is crucial to get your child evaluated by someone who is knowledgeable and appropriately trained in the diagnosis and treatment of lip or tongue-tie.

READ DR. BLAIR’S Q & A WITH LA LECHE LEAGUE OF CHATTANOOGA

Does your child a lip or tongue-tie revision?

SYMPTOMS OF A TONGUE OR LIP-TIE

Did you know your child’s ability to breastfeed, speak, and eat solid foods can all be impaired by a small string that connects their tongue to the floor of the mouth? This tissue is called a lingual frenum, and it can restrict (tongue-tie) the tongue’s range of motion and makes simple functions much more challenging. Many babies and children suffer from the inability to nurse, eat, speak, or breathe properly due to a tongue restriction. Our pediatric dentists have the training and skills to diagnose and treat this problem to ensure your child’s long-term well-being.

INFANTS

A poor latch during breastfeeding or unable to open wide to latch
Clicking noises while baby is breastfeeding
Falling asleep at the breast before full
Coughing or choking on milk
Frequent release and re-latch
Frequent and prolonged nursing sessions
Unsatisfied even after prolonged feeds
Poor weight gain
Gas/reflux/colic/hiccups due to swallowing of air
Fussing, fighting, or crying or seeming frustrated during feeding sessions
Lip blisters
Leaking milk from the corners of the mouth during feeding

TODDLERS

Poor oral hygiene even with frequent brushing
Difficulty swallowing or the development of an abnormal swallow pattern such as tongue-thrust
Loud slurping/gulping sounds when eating
Needing to drink a lot during eating
Messy eating
Choking/gagging easily
Disruption of normal oral and facial development
Low resting tongue posture
Sleep-disordered breathing/sleep disturbances
Delayed speech or significant speech impediments

NURSING MOTHERS

Pain while breastfeeding
Creased, cracked, bruised or blistered nipples
Bleeding nipples
Incomplete breast drainage
Infected nipples or breasts
Plugged ducts
Mastitis (inflammation of the breast)
Feelings of failure or disappointment
Loss of milk supply (especially after 3 months)
Nipple throbbing (vasospasms)

Having a tongue-tie is like trying to run with your shoe laces tied together.

PDOC is proud to offer a simple, effective and painless solution for tongue and lip-ties.

How we treat tongue and lip-ties

LIFE CHANGING SOLUTIONS

Fortunately, treating lip and tongue ties is relatively simple for infants and young children. A frenectomy is a procedure that involves removing either the connective tissue located under the tongue (lingual frenum) or the band of tissue that attaches the upper lip to the gums (labial frenum) to correct problems arising from either a tongue tie or lip tie condition.

Our pediatric dentists perform laser frenectomies using a LightScalpel CO2 laser. During this simple procedure, our doctors use a laser that cuts and seals the tissues resulting in very little or no bleeding.

The incredible CO2 Laser technology allows us to safely and efficiently perform the minimally invasive procedure with predictable and instant results. There is no blood, no sedation needed and little-to-no pain.
The procedure is relatively fast, often taking less than 30 seconds of laser time to release a tongue or lip-tie.
The procedure may be performed as early as a couple of days after birth and can be performed into adulthood.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE CO2 LASER TECHNOLOGY?

The incredible CO2 Laser technology allows our pediatric dentists to safely and efficiently perform this minimally invasive procedure with predictable and instant results.
The CO2 Laser is FDA cleared and American Made
There is no blood, no sedation needed and little-to-no pain.
The procedure takes very little time, often taking less than 30 seconds of laser time to release a tongue or lip-tie.
The procedure may be performed as early as a couple of days after birth and can be performed into adulthood.

See LightScalpel in Action

Benefits of Frenectomies

THE RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES

Infants and toddlers who have undergone tongue-tie revisions (frenectomy) receive many benefits!

Labial frenectomy:

Helps reduce pain and discomfort
Eliminates tooth gap between the two front teeth
Improves bite function

Lingual frenectomy:

Improves speech function
Improves eating and appetite

DECIDING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A TONGUE OR LIP-TIE REVISION

The decision to get a tongue or lip-tie revision is based on what the parent(s) want. We understand that every parent wants to make the right choice for their child. Whether your child should have the procedure will vary depending on what symptoms are present and what the parent hopes to achieve with a revision. Our pediatric dentists will help parents to make an informed decisions. Our dentists encourage parents to ask questions so that everyone is on the same page regarding expectations before, during, and after surgery.

Post-op Instructions

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER THE PROCEDURE

1. You may breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby immediately following surgery.

2. Your baby may use a pacifier immediately following surgery

3. The surgical site(s) will look reddish, brownish, black the day of the procedure. This will heal into soft white scabs (sometimes with a yellow or greenish tinge). Eventually, everything will heal and turn into a pink color – this typically happens around 2 weeks after the procedure.

4. Post-op discomfort generally sets in 5-7 hours after the procedure. For the first 2-3 days following surgery, you may use over-the-counter Tylenol.

5. You may use Vitamin E oil on the surgical site(s) in the morning and bedtime.

6. Begin stretching exercises the day after surgery.

Lip Exercise: Gently lift the lip toward the nose as high as it will go and hold it there for 3 seconds. Repeat 3 times per day for 2 weeks.

Tongue Exercise: Rub your index finger back and forth across the floor of the mouth 3-5 times. Place your index fingers underneath the tongue and raise the tongue up and back towards the back of the throat as far as it will go and hold for 3 seconds. Make sure to push your fingers into the diamond-shaped surgical wound.