Understanding Frenectomy: A Simple Procedure with Big Benefits

Welcoming a new baby into your family is one of life’s most rewarding and exciting experiences. However, babies born with tethered oral tissues (TOTS), known as tongue ties or lip ties, face unnecessary complications. Fortunately, Dr. Bridget Lervick has completed advanced training in treating children with lip ties and tongue ties with a frenectomy, and she brings her own experience with this congenital condition to every engagement with patients. However, is a frenectomy painful? Keep reading to learn more about what this procedure entails.

Understanding Tongue Tie and Lip Tie

To understand these conditions, we first need to explain what the frenum is. The frenum is a small tissue fold found under the tongue and at the underside of the lips. The mouth has two frenums:

• Lingual frenum: Connects the tongue’s underside to the floor of the mouth and plays a role in speech and tongue movement 
• Labial frenum: Connects the inside of the lower or upper lip to the gums, stabilizes the lips, and can affect teeth position

The clinical name for tongue tie is ankyloglossia. This condition occurs when a baby’s tongue movement is limited because of an abnormally short frenum. A lip tie occurs when the labial frenum is too thick, tight, or short. 

Symptoms of Tongue Ties in Newborn Babies

Your baby may have tongue tie if they experience any of these symptoms:

• Difficulty breastfeeding
• Difficulty sticking their tongue out past the lower front teeth
• A challenge to lift their tongue to their upper teeth
• Inability to speak clearly or say sounds such as d, l, t, n, or s

Complications of Tethered Oral Tissues in Infants

Infants with tongue or lip ties may not be able to properly latch when breastfeeding. A tongue tie can cause slow weight gain, fussiness, and reflux for the baby. For the mother, breastfeeding may be uncomfortable or even painful, and feeding times may take much longer. Equally important, if this issue isn’t addressed when the baby is an infant, it can interfere with their ability to learn and practice good oral hygiene when they’re older. 

Advanced Laser Frenectomy

A frenectomy is a straightforward procedure. Instead of cutting the tissue inside the mouth, Dr. Lervick uses a CO2 laser to perform a noninvasive procedure. This laser allows Dr. Lervick to eradicate and reshape the tissues without invasive cutting or using a scalpel. 

Benefits of a Laser Frenectomy

When a laser is used to fix tongue or lip ties, the risks generally associated with surgical procedures are greatly reduced. Because of this, patients have much less bleeding, and the risk of infection is minimal. Laser technology also promotes healing, along with fast and natural tissue regeneration. After a frenectomy, your baby’s healthy development, function, and range of motion are restored. 

A Simple, Life-Changing Procedure

One question you may have might be, “Is a frenectomy painful?” Dr. Bridget Lervick of Edina, MN, will minimize any discomfort your child may experience. Get in touch with Dr. Lervick at Grandview Center for Dentistry today at (952) 955-4505 to learn more about a frenectomy and how this simple procedure can make a tremendous positive difference in your baby’s quality of life.

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