Tongue Tie Lip Tie Treatment (Frenectomy) in Pinehurst
Dr. Streets specializes in releasing oral soft tissues across all age groups. She is highly skilled in releasing tongue or lip ties for infants, children, and adults, ensuring a comfortable experience and quick healing process.
She utilizes a gentle procedure known as frenectomy or functional frenuloplasty using the state-of-the-art Lightscalpel CO2 laser to promote rapid healing and minimize bleeding, discomfort, or infection. Dr. Streets does not use high heat lasers or electrocautery.
WHAT IS A TONGUE OR LIP TIE?
In certain cases, children are born with a tight or short frenulum between their tongue, lips, or cheeks, which can impact their true oral motor function. This can sometimes hinder essential activities such as breastfeeding, oral motor development, breathing habits, speech and oral hygiene.
When the frenulum presents with true functional limitations, we refer to it as โankyloglossiaโ, or a tongue-tie. Coupled with our anatomical assessment, a feeding assessment from appropriate and experienced specialists will provide insights to true oral motor skills.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF RESTRICTED ORAL FUNCTION
Our expert team is committed to helping infants and children overcome lip and tongue tie restrictions. While the following symptoms are common amongst babies and children, the following symptoms can be linked to other feeding challenges - not exclusively related to oral ties:
For Infants:
- Difficult or painful latching
- Frustration while eating
- Clicking noises during breast or bottle feeding
- Dribbling of milk
- Sleep disturbances and noisy breathing
- Gassiness or reflux
- Poor weight gain
For Adults:
- Delayed/difficulty in speech
- Difficulty chewing/swallowing
- Difficulty with oral hygiene
- Slow eater
- Frequent drooling
- Choking, Gagging or vomiting
- Recurrent cavities
- Snoring and teeth grinding
- Frequent headaches
Timely treatment can offer numerous benefits, including easing breastfeeding or feeding challenges and mitigating speech delay problems.
If you're in Pinehurst or the surrounding areas, we're here to assist you. Please reach out to us at 910-240-2922 for more information about Tongue Tie Lip Tie Treatment (Frenectomy) in Pinehurst.
We look forward to partnering with you on this journey to better oral health.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Is a Vitamin-K shot required?
No. While it is typically given to newborns shortly after birth to prevent Vitamin K deficiency bleeding, it is not a requirement to receive a tongue or lip tie release in our office. As with any surgical procedure, we discuss any concerns or questions about the procedure at your consultation.
2. Is the procedure painful?
The tongue and lip tie release is typically quick with our CO2 Laser and causes minimal discomfort for the child. A local anesthetic may be used to numb the area before the procedure although not necessary for very young infants. Children and adults should feel little to no discomfort during the procedure as we completely anesthetize the frenulum prior to treatment.
3. What are the potential risks or complications with the release procedure?
Although very rare, some of the complications with any release include bleeding, swelling, injury to the salivary ducts that drain near the tongue-tie, swelling, reattachment of the frenum, allergy to the anesthetic and infection.
4. Will my child need follow-up care after the procedure?
For infants, we typically recommend resuming feeding therapy within a week of completing the procedure. For children and adults who had a functional frenuloplasty, we recommend resuming Myofunctional Therapy 1 week after the procedure.
5. How soon after the procedure can breastfeeding or feeding resume?
We encourage mothers to breastfeed immediately after a release procedure to help soothe their little one.
6. Will my insurance cover the cost of my procedure?
In most cases, if feeding and speech are impacted, medical insurance will cover the cost of the procedure. We understand that most insurances vary in coverage, even with prior approval. In all cases, we honor your insuranceโs maximum allowable fee for the procedure. Keep in mind that many medical insurances also include a copay or deductible prior to covering the cost of the procedure..
If youโre in Pinehurst or surrounding areas, please call our office at 910-240-2922 to get more information about Tongue Tie Lip Tie Treatment (Frenectomy) in Pinehurst.
