Dental Partners of Vero Beach provides frenectomy in Vero Beach, FL. Call 772-569-4118 to learn more and schedule an appointment.
At Dental Partners of Vero Beach, we provide labial and lingual frenectomies, also known as a lip or tongue tie release, for patients of all ages. A frenectomy releases a small fold of tissue that prevents part of the body from moving fully. Did you know that a simple frenectomy procedure could improve a person’s sleep and overall health? Often after this procedure, patients will notice a more profound quality of sleep with less snoring, less movement, and less waking, all resulting in much better daytime moods due to greater night time sleep.
We perform these procedures using our LightScapel CO2 Laser, which offers patients a more comfortable experience with faster healing and fewer trips to our office. Do not let oral restrictions impact your child's quality of life - contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Labial Frenectomy
A labial frenectomy, also known as a lip-tie release, is performed on the tissue that connects the lip to the gums. This may be performed to aid with a few concerns including but not limited to trouble eating or swallowing with infants and children, reflux, difficulty with speech or orthodontic treatments. See additional potential indications below.
Lingual Frenectomy
A lingual frenectomy, also referred to as the release of tongue-ties (ankyloglossia), is performed on the connective tissue under the tongue. The procedure is often performed on both infants and children who need treatment to help correct issues caused by limited movement due to the frenum.
Frequently Asked Questions about Frenectomies for Infants, Toddlers, and Children
Infant concerns may include:
- Difficulty breastfeeding, or taking in milk from a bottle
- Clicking sound during nursing or bottle feeding
- Improper tongue mobility, difficulty swallowing
- Baby’s inability to properly latch on to the mother’s breast
- Painful nursing (for mother)
- Longer, more frequent feedings
- Sleep deprivation for mother and infant due to frequent feedings
- Failure to thrive (poor weight gain)
- Inability to stimulate milk production through vigorous nursing, which results in low milk supply and/or termination of breastfeeding
- Colic
- Reflux
Children's concerns may include:
- Speech development difficulties
- Mouth breathing
- Dental hygiene issues
- Gingival recession
- As part of sleep apnea therapy
- As part of myofunctional therapy
- Orthodontic appliance comfort
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing
- Diastema – a gap that develops on your front teeth
- Gum recession
- Reflux
Our patients’ parents report minimal discomfort and better tongue function almost immediately. Infants are usually able to feed right away after the procedure with an improved latch. In addition, mothers who breastfeed shared with us that their nursing pain has been relieved.
Children are encouraged to resume activities as usual, avoiding any sports that can cause improper contact to the mouth. Spicy foods should be avoided until the healing process is complete, and the child should be reminded to brush carefully near the incision site.
Learn More about Post-Op Instructions Following a Frenectomy
Dental Partners of Vero Beach’s Dentists recommend Myofunctional Therapy for Pre and Post frenectomy procedures for children and adults assuring the best possible outcomes. Myofunctional therapists work with our patients providing a series of exercises of the tongue, jaw, lips, cheeks and palate to strengthen and retrain the muscles to promote proper tongue position improving chewing, swallowing, speaking and to improve proper breathing.
Prior to the frenectomy procedure therapy is important to:
- prepare for exercises that will be needed post-surgery
- improve range of motion
- build strength and stability
- tone the muscles of the tongue
- learn new neuromuscular lingual movements
After a Frenectomy, it is important to:
- promote post-surgical healing
- promote proper tissue healing
- prevent the tissues from re-attaching
- prevent post procedure improper oral patterns
- implement the new movements functionally
- build additional strength and stability
- help the tongue to re-set and rest properly
- maximize successful surgical outcomes
Successful Infant Lip Tie Release
We had the honor of assisting a 5-week-old who was having difficulty nursing and bottle-feeding, prompting his mom to come in for an evaluation. Upon examination, we identified a lip tie that required release. With the expertise of Dr. Jenna and the precision of our LightScalpel CO2 Laser, we efficiently and gently released the lip tie, ensuring a quick and effective procedure in just 10 seconds. His mom reported to us that he was nursing and swallowing that evening with ease.