Ballantyne: 704-703-2177
Fort Mill: 704-842-3354

Tongue Tie and Lip Tie Release

What Are Tongue and Lip Ties?

A tongue tie is a condition where the connective tissue called the frenulum is attached to the tongue on the bottom of the mouth. Similarly, a lip tie is a condition where the upper lip frenulum is attached to the top gums.

Tongue and lip ties are quite common as roughly 11% of newborns are born with this condition. While it is not life threatening to have a tongue or lip tie, it can cause problems for your child if left untreated.

Signs To Watch for That May Indicate a Tongue/Lip Tie

It is important to catch the condition early, as nipping it in the bud can help prevent further issue. Noticeable symptoms and signs that your child has a tongue/lip tie may include:

Difficulty latching while nursing
Difficulty gaining weight
Inability to stick out tongue or lift tongue
Inability to keep pacifier in mouth
Gumming while nursing
Difficulty drinking from a bottle
Heart-shaped tongue
Colic
Acid Reflux

Many of these symptoms simply come along with your baby’s struggle to move his or her mouth properly while that frenulum is attached in ways that are restrictive.

What Happens When a Tongue/Lip Tie Goes Untreated?

Your child will likely experience discomfort throughout their life if a tongue/lip tie goes untreated. Sometimes the condition is missed simply due to it being slight and therefore unnoticed, or the symptoms are misdiagnosed.

Some symptoms to look out for that could have been overlooked during the child’s early years are:

Susceptibility to gum disease or tooth decay
Susceptibility to TMJ and migraines
Speech delays or impediments
Behavioral issues
Breathing through the mouth
Difficulty chewing harder foods
Frequent choking or gagging
Pickiness in food types

How Do We Release a Tongue/Lip Tie?

Introducing Solea! We are proud to announce that we have invested in Solea, the first FDA approved CO2 dental laser that can perform oral procedures on both soft and hard tissue. This dental laser replaces the dental drill in the majority of procedures here. Anesthesia is not even necessary for most cases anymore! This technology consists of a unique wavelength guided by sophisticated computers to deliver virtually painless dental procedures including frenectomy. It creates a very exclusive dental experience for your child!

Solea was developed in Boston, Massachusetts by Convergent Dental, based on research conducted at the University of California School of Dentistry, and has undergone 30 years of research by the world’s top research organizations. To put it simply, the future of dentistry has arrived.

Your child’s procedure will be very quick and easy. While traditional methods include a steel scalpel, weeks of healing, and blood, the laser provides your baby a safe, quick treatment!

Going to the dentist can be scary. When more in-depth procedures are involved they can be long and loud, causing discomfort and anxiety. Our Solea laser offers a simpler, less invasive, more precise and comfortable solution to your child’s oral health. No drills or needles will be prying around in their little mouths!Solea is fast, comfortable, and needle-free. Your child can go right back to school or eat right after their appointment as they will not be numb! Click the link to learn more.

Frenectomies at our office are performed using our Solea Laser. Laser frenectomies offer the advantage of reduced bleeding and swelling. The procedure is usually quick and painless and most patients experience only minimal discomfort. The recovery time for a frenectomy is usually short and most patients can resume normal activities within a few days. The healing process may take several weeks, however, and the doctor may recommend specific post-operative instructions such as avoiding certain foods and using a special mouthwash. Click the link to learn more.

Call today to schedule your child’s frenectomy and we will have it over and done with so they can continue to develop healthily!