Tongue & Lip Tie Release Using Solea® Laser Technology
What is a Frenectomy?
Frenectomy or frenotomy is a procedure used to correct a congenital condition when the lingual (tongue) or labial (lip) frenulum is tight resulting in restriction of function.
This may potentially result in difficulty of breastfeeding and other concerns such as dental, digestive, and speech issues. If your lactation consultant or doctor feels that this procedure is warranted, then your baby may have a tongue tie and/or lip tie.
Lip Tie
A tight upper lip frenum attachment may compromise full-lip flanging and appear as a tight, tense, upper lip during nursing. This can result in a shallow latch during breastfeeding. If the frenum attaches close to where the front teeth will come in, a future gap between the teeth (diastema) can also occur.
Tongue Tie
A tight frenum attachment of the tongue may restrict the mobility of the tongue may appear cupped or heart-shaped when elevated. This can result in an inability to get the tongue under the nipple to create a suction to draw out milk. Long term, a tongue tie can result in speech problems and/or issues later with transferring food around the mouth for chewing.
Symptoms of A Lip and/or Tongue Tie
Some babies can have a tongue or upper lip ties and not be symptomatic. To know if the ties are a problem, we ask two major questions: “Is the baby getting enough to eat?” and “Is nursing comfortable for the mother?”
Symptoms can be as follows:
Baby’s Symptoms
- Poor latch
- Slides off nipple or falls asleep while trying to latch
- Frustration at breast
- Colic and/or reflux symptoms
- Poor weight gain
- Continuous feedings
- Gumming or chewing of the nipple
- Unable to take a pacifier
Mom’s Symptoms
- Creased, flattened or blanched nipples after nursing
- Cracked, bruised, or blistered nipples
- Severe pain when infant attempts to latch
- Incomplete breast drainage
- Plugged ducts or mastitis
Why Solea® CO2 Laser Frenectomy?
Solea® is by far the most technologically advanced laser in dentistry. CO2 lasers are the “gold standard” for soft tissue procedures. The surgery is far less invasive than using traditional surgical instruments, or even other lasers, which makes healing time following a procedure much shorter and frenectomies are performed with virtually no bleeding.
When Orthodontic treatment is planned or initiated, the removal of an abnormal frenum, with or without a gingival graft, can increase stability and improve the success of the final orthodontic result.
For more information about Frenectomy or to schedule a consultation, call our office in Houston, TX at Innovative Dentistry, Phone Number 281-859-9073.
