If your child is having trouble nursing, eating, or speaking, they may have a lip or tongue tie. To relieve the symptoms and return or improve function, they may want to schedule a frenectomy in Kansas City.
What is a frenectomy?
A frenectomy is an oral surgery, often performed on babies and small children, in which a pediatric dentist makes cuts or modifications to the frenum in the mouth to relieve tongue and lip tie symptoms.
How it Works
Our pediatric dentist will use a laser to perform a frenectomy in Kansas City, and the procedure takes only a few minutes.
After a frenectomy, the area will look white or light yellow for a few days as the tissue heals. Your child will slowly be able to re-train their tongue or lips, and Dr. Roth may recommend some exercises to help maintain the frenum’s elasticity.
Overland Park
14465 Metcalf Ave
Overland Park, KS 66223
Older children may be given a local anesthetic for the procedure. Tylenol can be given to children over 6 months to help with any pain after the surgery.
Infants generally cry because they have to be held still with their mouths open and wear protective goggles. Because this is a surgical procedure, parents will be asked to step out to the waiting room for this quick procedure.
Infants generally cry because they have to be held still with their mouths open and wear protective goggles. Because this is a surgical procedure, parents will be asked to step out to the waiting room for this quick procedure.
Older children may be given a local anesthetic for the procedure. Tylenol can be given to children over 6 months to help with any pain after the surgery.
Your baby has had his/her tongue-tie and/or lip-tie release, so what now? It is important to understand that depending on the type, improvement with breastfeeding may not be immediate. It can take some time for your baby to learn how to use his/her tongue in an effective manner. We encourage you to return to your lactation consultant and continue appropriate therapies.
Most babies experience only minimal discomfort or fussiness after the procedure, and breastfeeding provides natural pain relief. If your baby seems uncomfortable, Tylenol (acetaminophen) can be given to help with the discomfort. Please speak with your doctor/pharmacist if you are unsure about what dose of medication to give, and remember that medication dosages should always be based on your baby’s weight.
Within the first 24-48 hours after the procedure, a grayish-white patch will form in the area(s) where the incision was made with the laser. This is the space that was created for improved lip and/or tongue movement. This is NOT infection or thrush and the tissue will thicken and return to its normal appearance in about 2 weeks. Slight puffiness of the upper lip is also normal since the lip had to be held and pulled to complete the procedure.
Your baby’s mouth heals quickly, and stretching exercises are very important after the procedure for:
– Optimal healing of the incision sites
– Optimal tongue mobility and functionality
– Prevention of re-attachment and scar formation
– Prevention of oral aversion
– Improved feeding skills and maternal-infant bonding
Exercises should be done four times daily, not coinciding with nursing before daytime feedings for 2 weeks ideally, but most importantly in the first 48 hours. Before starting the exercises, make sure your hands are clean and your fingernails are short. It is usually easiest to perform the stretches while positioned with the baby’s head in your lap, as the doctor did for the procedure.
– Place your thumbs or index fingers under your baby’s tongue on either side of the incision.
– Lift your baby’s tongue while gently pushing back at the same time so you can see the diamond-shaped area where the cut was made, and hold for 3 seconds.
– There may be a small amount of blood as the area stretches, which is normal.
– Continue stretches 4 times a day for 3 weeks for proper healing.
– Use your index fingers and thumbs to lift the upper lip until it reaches/covers the nostrils and hold for 3 seconds.
– Then gently massage the outside of the lip just below the nose.
– Continue stretches 4 times a day for 3 weeks for proper healing.
Help your child transition to bottles by giving them full use of lip and tongue function.
If your child is having trouble eating due to oral function, a frenectomy is Kansas City may improve this.
Boost your child’s ability to speak and annunciate by treating their tongue or lip tie.
A frenectomy helps give the full range of mobility back to the lips or tongue by severing the frenum that is too short and allowing them to heal at an appropriate length.
Frenectomies are typically performed on infants or small children, so helping comfort and keep them calm will help prepare them for the quick procedure.
Dental insurance often covers procedures to some extent, so we recommend contacting your insurance provider to ensure your child’s benefits. If you have more questions about coverage, you can contact us.
