Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment (Frenectomies) – Carrollton, TX
Safe, Pain-Free Laser Frenectomies for Infants & Children
An estimated five percent of children are born with lip or tongue-ties that restrict the movement of their mouth, making basic, important tasks like feeding more difficult. Unfortunately, many parents aren’t sure what the signs of this issue are, making it difficult for them to know whether an examination and treatment is necessary. At DD Family Dentistry, we offer thorough examinations as well as safe laser frenectomies in Carrollton to improve your little one’s quality of life.
How Do Lip & Tongue-Ties Develop?
Everyone has a piece of soft tissue that connects their tongue to the floor of their mouth and their lips to their gums, called a frenulum. For children with lip or tongue-ties, this tissue is often too short or thick, limiting their ability to move their lips and tongues in ways that are beneficial when breastfeeding and bottle feeding, and as they get older, speaking.
Some signs of lip and tongue-ties to look out for include:
- Difficulty latching while nursing
- Little to no weight gain
- Inability to use a pacifier
- Chewing on the nipple while breastfeeding
- Reflux or symptoms of colic
- Falls asleep while breastfeeding
You may also experience signs related to nursing, like:
- Breast inflammation
- Plugged milk ducts
- Severe pain
- Sore or cracked nipples
Why is it Important to Treat Lip & Tongue-Ties?
Without proper treatment, lip and tongue-ties can impact your infant’s health as well as certain aspects of their life as they get older. Some issues that could develop as a result of not getting a frenectomy include:
- The development of speech impediments
- Poor nutrition
- Dental misalignment requiring orthodontic treatment
- Increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease
Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment (Frenectomies)
Dr. Devarakonda, your children’s dentist in Carrollton, is able to treat lip and tongue-ties with a treatment called a frenectomy. This involves removing overgrown tissue from the frenulum using a soft tissue laser, improving your child’s lip and tongue mobility.
The soft tissue laser emits a small beam of light that’s able to safely remove the tissue without using a scalpel or surgical scissors, as well as cauterize the area on-contact, minimizing bleeding and decreasing chances of infection. The entire procedure can be completed in just a few short minutes, and because of the advanced technology used, they won’t require any stitches or sutures to be placed, making the healing process much quicker and more comfortable.
Understanding the Cost of Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment
Frenectomies are relatively straightforward treatments that typically have set pricetags, but some factors may play into their cost, like whether the dentist uses surgical scissors or a soft tissue laser to complete the treatment. In some cases, patients may even need to come in multiple times if the tissue grows back. However, this is dependent on the individual. Our team at DD Family Dentistry of Carrollton is happy to help you afford care for your little one, whether that’s filing an insurance claim on your behalf or helping get you signed up for our Dental Savings Plan. Call today to learn more about your payment options!
Lip & Tongue-Tie FAQs
As a mother of two herself, Dr. Devarakonda understands that if you think something might be wrong with your child, then you probably have a lot of questions. She’s happy to answer all of them when it comes to lip and tongue-ties, and to help you get started, here are some of the most common questions she receives on the subject along with her responses. Of course, if there is anything else you’d like to know, you’re always welcome to call us directly!