Pediatric Frenectomiesin Bartlett
Breastfeeding can be a beautiful bonding experience, but for some families, it can also be painful, stressful, and exhausting. If feeding feels harder than it should, you are not alone, and there is help. Frenectomies can relieve discomfort, improve feeding, and support your child in getting the nourishment they need to grow and thrive.
What is a frenectomy?
A frenectomy is a quick procedure that releases a tight frenum, which is the small band of tissue under the tongue or upper lip. When this tissue is too restrictive, it can limit movement and lead to challenges with:
- Breastfeeding or bottle‑feeding
- Latching and milk transfer
- Speech development
- Oral hygiene difficulties
- Dental spacing or bite development
- Trouble eating certain solid foods
A frenectomy restores natural mobility and supports healthy growth and function.
Tongue and Lip-Tie Consults
Sometimes getting started is the hardest part, something that Dr. Marissa, as a nursing mom of a child with feeding troubles, understands all too well. We are here to help you take the first step with comprehensive frenectomy consults.
Peace of Mind
One-on-One Advice
Custom Treatment Plan
The Benefits of Frenectomies
Experience Better Breastfeeding
Tongue and lip ties can interfere with latching and milk transfer, making feeding difficult and frustrating. A frenectomy helps your baby feed more efficiently and can reduce discomfort for nursing parents while supporting healthy weight gain.
Prevent Speech Impediments
Early treatment can help reduce the risk of speech challenges caused by limited tongue mobility, setting your child up for clearer speech development as they grow.
Improve Overall Eating Ability
By releasing restrictive tissues, older children may find it easier to chew, swallow, and enjoy a wider variety of foods comfortably.
Our Difference
A collaborative approach to well-rounded care
Frenectomies can play an important role in your child’s comfort, feeding, speech, and oral development, but treatment does not always happen in a vacuum. When helpful, we collaborate with trusted providers like lactation consultants, speech therapists, feeding therapists, and orthodontists to support your child before and after treatment.
Comfort-Focused Care
At Little Roots, a comfortable visit is never an afterthought. From TVs with headphones above every chair to sensory play in the waiting room, every detail is designed to help your child feel at ease. Dr. Marissa's gentle, unhurried approach means your family is never rushed, and you always leave feeling informed and cared for.
Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
Rest assured that your child is receiving top-notch, specialized care with Dr. Marissa Dziepak, Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist. To be recognized by The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, doctors must undergo extensive training in the pediatric field in addition to their standard dental degrees.
Laser Frenectomies
Our gentle, yet effective laser can correct tongue and lip ties with no pain or discomfort and promotes faster healing. In most cases, numbing is not even required, and the entire procedure takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish.
The Frenectomy Process
Consultation & Local Anesthesia
Every frenectomy begins with a thorough consultation. We will listen to your concerns, review feeding challenges, and perform a gentle oral exam to check for tongue or lip ties. If treatment is recommended, the area will be numbed to ensure your child remains completely comfortable throughout the procedure.
Releasing the Tissue
The frenulum can be released in seconds using specialized tools such as a laser or scissors. Laser treatment minimizes bleeding, reduces discomfort, and encourages faster healing. Your doctor will review all options with you before treatment.
Aftercare & Healing
Laser frenectomies typically require no stitches or sutures. After treatment, we may recommend simple tongue or lip stretches to help prevent reattachment and support proper healing. When needed, we may also suggest follow-up care with a lactation consultant, speech therapist, or feeding therapist to support your child’s comfort and function.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Browse our most common questions, and reach out anytime if you’d like to talk with our team.
Tongue and lip ties, also known as tethered oral tissues (TOTs), occur when the bands of tissue connecting the tongue or lips to the mouth are overly tight or thick, restricting movement. While some ties are mild and may not require treatment, more severe cases can interfere with feeding and oral function, making evaluation by a pediatric dentist important.
Every child is different, but common signs of a tongue‑tie or lip‑tie include:
Infants
- Difficulty latching
- Clicking sounds during feeding
- Prolonged or inefficient feeding
- Gassiness or reflux
- Poor weight gain
- Maternal discomfort or pain during breastfeeding
Toddlers & Older Children
- Speech articulation concerns
- Difficulty moving the tongue
- Challenges with certain foods
- Gaps between front teeth
- Mouth breathing or oral habits
If you’re unsure whether your child has a tie, we’re here to evaluate and guide you.
Not at all! The area is fully numbed, and laser technology helps minimize discomfort and bleeding. Most children recover quickly with little post-procedure soreness.
Frenectomies are often covered by dental insurance. Coverage varies by plan, so we recommend checking with your provider. Even without insurance, the procedure is typically affordable, and our team is happy to help review options.
Aftercare involves gently cleaning the area twice a day and completing any recommended stretches. These steps help prevent reattachment and support proper healing. We will provide clear instructions so you feel confident caring for your child at home.
While frenectomies are most commonly performed on infants, especially in cases of breastfeeding difficulties, they are not exclusive to babies. Older children, teenagers, and even adults can also benefit from a frenectomy if they have a significant tongue or lip tie that affects their oral function. For example, children who develop speech impediments, difficulty eating, or challenges with oral hygiene due to restricted tongue or lip movement may benefit from this procedure. A consultation with a pediatric dentist can help determine if a frenectomy is necessary at any age.
