Lip and Tongue Tie TreatmentIn Point LOma
For some, breastfeeding can be a wonderful time to bond with your child. For others, it can be a painful, frustrating experience that leaves you feeling drained. If you are wondering if a tongue or lip tie is contributing to your child's difficulty with feeding, or if you have concerns that a tongue or lip tie is affecting your child's sleep, breathing, grinding, snoring, feeding or speech, schedule a consultation with Dr. Parks today for a comprehensive evaluation!
Restorative Dentistry
Soft Tissue Treatment
Does my child have a tongue restriction?
At Parks Pediatric Dentistry we will work with you, your child, as well as a team of other providers to help ensure you are educated on whether your child has a soft tissue tie as well as whether it is beneficial to treat your child's restriction. Using our advanced laser technology frenectomies are simple, safe and effective with minimal aftercare. We take a conservative approach, acknowledging that not all tongue ties need surgical treatment. If you have been struggling with breastfeeding, have noticed feeding difficulties with your child or are concerned about a tongue tie, it may be time to come in for a consultation.
The Benefits of Frenectomies
Experience Better Breastfeeding
Tongue/lip ties can make breastfeeding difficult for both baby and mom. Frenectomies ensure your infant can feed properly and help prevent low weight gain.
Prevent Speech Impediments
Early treatment with a frenectomy helps prevent speech impediments due to restricted tongue movement.
Improve Overall quality of life
Releasing restrictive tissues can improve sleep, decrease snoring, decrease grinding and help children enjoy their favorite foods with ease.
the benefits of our laser
More Comfortable
Faster Recovery
Minimally Invasive
LASER TECHNOLOGY THAT PUTS COMFORT FIRST
With our advanced laser, we’re able to treat tongue and lip ties quickly, precisely, and gently—often without needles, drills, or noisy tools. It’s a stress-free experience that keeps kids calm and makes healing easier for everyone.
The Frenectomy Process
Initial Consultation
First, a consultation is necessary to determine if your child requires a frenectomy. We have a very thorough questionnaire that help us assess some of the symptoms associated with tongue ties. This ensures an accurate diagnosis. Prior to the surgery we will place numbing jelly to numb the area to ensure your child feels no pain or discomfort throughout the procedure.
Releasing the Tissue
There are many tools that can be used to snip the frenulum, such as lasers or scissors. At our office, we exclusively use laser technology because of the many benefits it offers: minimal bleeding, reduced discomfort, faster healing, and a more complete release.
Aftercare & Healing
Aftercare includes a multi-specialty approach commonly involving your child's pediatrician, body-work, myofunctional therapy and speech therapy. We can help connect you to other providers in our community to ensure you receive coordinated care for your child.
What makes us different
Alabama Tongue-Tie Institute Certification
Dr. Parks has completed extensive extra education related specifically to diagnosis, treatment and care for tongue ties. He takes pride in providing you the highest quality diagnosis and care to ensure your child receives the treatment they deserve.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
Tongue and lip ties are collectively known as “tethered oral tissues” or TOTs. They occur when the bands of tissue that connect the tongue or the lips to the mouth become overdeveloped to the point that proper mouth movement is restricted.
They are uncommon in infants and toddlers, and sometimes do not need treatment. Minor tongue and lip ties may not cause any feeding problems, or contribute to speech impediments.
However, serious tongue and lip ties can make it hard for your child to breastfeed or use a bottle properly, resulting in poor feeding and inadequate nutrition. If you think that your child is having trouble feeding because of tongue or lip ties, you should get help from a pediatric dentist right away.
Feeding problems are the most common signs of tongue and lip ties. Your child’s lips and tongue need to be able to move properly to latch onto the nipple and stimulate it for proper feeding. If they seem to be having trouble making a proper seal, milk dribbles out from their mouth while feeding, or they frequently stop and start feeding, they may be having latching issues due to tongue or lip ties.
You can also look for visual signs of tongue and lip ties. For the lips, you can fold back your child’s upper lip and look at the frenulum. If it is difficult to lift the lip or it seems like your baby is unable to move their upper lip on their own, they may have a lip tie.
Signs of tongue ties include an inability for your child to stick their tongue out past their front teeth, or problems moving the tongue from side to side. Tongue ties can also be identified visually. A common sign of tongue ties is a “heart-shaped” tongue. When your child sticks their tongue out, the restriction caused by the tongue tie may cause it to look “notched” or heart-shaped, instead of appearing as a smooth “U” shape.
Not at all. Your child’s mouth will be completely numb throughout the procedure, and we use special tools at our office to eliminate pain and discomfort. With laser dentistry, your child will experience minimal bleeding, and they will be able to recover from tongue or lip tie treatment quickly and with low levels of post-operative discomfort.
To care for the surgical site, you will need to clean the treatment area twice a day to prevent infection and keep it healthy. Your child’s dentist may also recommend some stretches for the tongue and/or lips. These stretches will help ensure that when the frenulum heals, it will not reattach and restrict your child’s oral range of motion. Follow the instructions given to you and make sure you regularly perform all stretches recommended to you by your child’s dentist.
Frenectomies are usually identified in infants and young children before they grow older, so the treatment is primarily done on younger children. However, it’s not exclusively provided to infants and young children. Older kids, teenagers, or even adults who have tongue or lip ties may be able to benefit from treatment with a frenectomy if they have serious tongue or lip ties.
