A Simple Solution for Speech and Dental HealthUnderstanding Lip-Ties and Tongue-Ties
When we hear someone say they are “tongue-tied,” it often means they’re at a loss for words. However, in dentistry, it refers to a physical condition where the tongue’s movement is restricted. The tongue is connected to the bottom of the mouth by a thin, stretchy tissue called the lingual frenum. For some individuals, this tissue can be abnormally tight or thick, limiting tongue movement.
In addition to the lingual frenum, the labial frenum, which connects the upper lip to the gums, can also be too tight or thick. This can make it difficult for a person to move their upper lip away from their teeth.
What Is a Frenectomy?
A frenectomy is a simple procedure that releases the restrictive tissue of the tongue (tongue-tie) or upper lip (lip-tie). This allows for improved range of motion. Parents often notice immediate improvements in their child’s ability to move their tongue or lip, and recovery is typically quick and straightforward. Adults who did not have this procedure as children can also benefit from a frenectomy.
Why Is a Frenectomy Needed?
A frenectomy may be recommended to address a variety of issues caused by tongue-ties or lip-ties. Although the procedure may sound complex, it’s quite simple. The frenum is just a small web of connective tissue without nerves or muscles, similar to an earlobe. The procedure takes less than ten minutes, and most patients recover within 24 hours, gaining improved mobility of their tongue or lip.
Common symptoms of a tongue-tie include:
- Difficulty latching during breastfeeding
- Difficulty lifting the tongue to the roof of the mouth
- Trouble sweeping the lips with the tongue
- Inability to extend the tongue beyond the lower front teeth
- Tongue appears notched or heart-shaped when extended
- Frenum scraping or pinching against the lower teeth
Symptoms of a lip-tie in infants include:
- Difficulty latching or breathing while breastfeeding, sometimes with clicking sounds
- Extreme fatigue while nursing, leading to falling asleep
- Reflux due to swallowing excess air
What If a Lip-Tie or Tongue-Tie Isn’t Treated?
Untreated lip-ties and tongue-ties can lead to several problems, including:
- Colic, slow weight gain, or no weight gain in infants
- Speech difficulties, especially with sounds like d, l, r, s, t, and z
- Difficulty managing saliva while eating or speaking
- Airway issues and disrupted breathing during sleep
Why Choose Boca Delray Pediatric Dentistry for a Frenectomy?
Our experienced team at Boca Delray Pediatric Dentistry specializes in performing frenectomies for children. Using state-of-the-art equipment, we ensure that every procedure is as comfortable and stress-free as possible, providing a positive experience for both the child and their family.
If you think that you or a loved one could benefit from a frenectomy, we are here to help. Our skilled dentists can accurately diagnose and effectively treat lip-ties and tongue-ties, offering a solution to improve speech, feeding, and overall dental health.
We invite you to visit our welcoming, child-friendly office. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us at one of our convenient locations: Delray Beach at (561) 499-1788. We look forward to helping your child achieve better speech, feeding, and overall dental health!
Frenectomy Procedures with Waterlase™ Technology
At Boca Delray Pediatric Dentistry , we perform frenectomies using the advanced Waterlase™ dental laser. This advancement allows us to gently clean out most cavities without using shots or drills. With cutting edge technology like the Waterlase™ dental laser, your child will not associate the fear of pain with his or her visits to Boca Delray Pediatric Dentistry. The laser is revolutionizing dental care just as it has in so many other areas of our lives! Doctors use lasers to provide better care for their patients with LASIK vision correction, for removing skin blemishes, to mention only a few. With this advancement now you and your family can benefit from a new method of dental care, which can often be performed without injection of local anesthesia.
GREAT FOR KIDS
AVOIDS THE STRESS OF DRILLS & NEEDLES
LESS VIBRATION
NO WHINING NOISE
NO MICROCRACKS IN THE TOOTH’S ENAMEL
BACTERICIDAL EFFECT
MINIMALLY INVASIVE
FRENECTOMIES AND TONGUE TIE RELEASE ARE DONE MORE COMFORTABLY AND SIMPLY
REDUCES STRESS AND FEAR OF GOING TO DENTIST
FEWER DENTAL VISITS AND LESS TIME IN DENTAL CHAIR
SEE LASER DENTISTRY IN ACTION
HOW DENTAL LASERS WORK
The Waterlase™ emits a laser beam that energizes a precise spray of air and water.
Water droplets absorb the laser energy and become laser-energized water particles that, when directed at the tooth, rapidly remove enamel, dentin and decay/caries.
Heat and vibrations are the causes of the most of the discomfort associated with the drill. Since Waterlase™ doesn’t transmit heat, many dental procedures can be performed without anesthesia.
Since a shot isn’t necessary in most cases, there is no numbness or drooping lips after a dental procedure.
WILL IT HURT?
Most patients find laser procedures remarkably comfortable. So comfortable, in fact, that in many cases no numbing is required. People who have experienced laser treatment report feeling nothing more than the touch of the hand piece and an occasional slight sensation of warmth.
WHAT KIND OF AFTER EFFECTS CAN I EXPECT?
The dental laser often eliminates unpleasant after effects such as soreness, bleeding, inflammation, stitches and numbness, associated with many dental procedures.
CAN THE LASER BE USED FOR ALL DENTAL ALTERATIONS?
Conventional drilling must be used for the removal of old metal restorations. At the present time, the laser cannot be used to prepare a tooth for a crown, bridge or veneer.
If you have any further questions about the dental laser, please feel free to contact the office at (561) 499-1788 or email us at info@bocadelraypd.com.