Some patients think of lip and tongue ties as a mere inconvenience, but the truth is that this condition can potentially affect everything from how someone’s teeth develop to their speech patterns and dietary decisions.
Thankfully, many periodontists can perform a procedure to correct the problem and reduce associated symptoms. Continue reading to learn more about this treatment and what to expect from the process!
How Are Lip and Tongue Ties Treated?
There are small bands of tissue, called frenula, that anchor your tongue to the floor of your mouth and your lips to your gums. Under normal circumstances, they stretch enough to allow your mouth a full range of motion, but if they’re too short, tight, or thick, this freedom may be limited.
Unfortunately, this can potentially affect the dental health and general well-being of people at all stages of life. For instance, infants might not latch properly during breastfeeding and can develop colic or malnutrition, and toddlers might struggle to eat from utensils. It can also cause a lisp or other speech impediments that can cause self-consciousness or make it harder to communicate clearly.
Many oral healthcare professionals offer a procedure known as a frenectomy to release or remove the frenulum and restore a greater range of motion.
How Should I Prepare for My Procedure?
This treatment is available to newborn infants, children, and adults, though it’s more common in babies, and in many cases, no special preparation is required. This is partly because, in the past, periodontists may have relied on more traditional methods, like using a standard scalpel, to perform this service.
But thanks to advancements in dental technology and techniques, today, many providers use a soft tissue laser instead. This focused beam of light cauterizes the incision even as it’s made, resulting in less bleeding and faster recovery times for patients of all ages. Although many providers offer numbing and sedatives, these options are not always needed for this swift treatment.
What is Recovery Like After My Appointment?
If you’re concerned about a lengthy recovery period after you or your child’s frenectomy, you can thankfully set your fears aside. This procedure can be so simple and effective that you or your child can potentially resume normal activities the same day as your treatment.
Although there may be soreness or sensitivity for a day or two, any associated discomfort usually resolves on its own relatively quickly. Adults who feel tender may want to stick to a soft-food diet until their aches dissipate, but infants can often resume nursing the same day as their procedure.
In many cases, taking the recommended dosage of over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can ease irritation and inflammation until you or your little one has fully mended.
If you have additional questions about what to expect from your frenectomy, you can learn more by consulting your periodontist!
Meet the Author
Dr. Eduardo R. Lorenzana is an accomplished periodontist and implant specialist with 25+ years of experience helping improve patients’ lives by enhancing their dental health. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Baylor College of Dentistry, where he remained to pursue his Certificate in Periodontics and his Master’s in Oral Biology. Today, he’s certified by the American Board of Periodontology and offers a variety of procedures, including frenectomies, to meet the needs of people of all ages. If you or a loved one need to treat a lip or tongue tie, you can request an appointment on the website or by calling (210) 492-3519.