Frenectomy is for babies, like very new infants, I’ve seen anywhere from four days old to 76 years old. But with those very brand new babies, the string under the tongue or even on the lip can be too tight. And if it’s too tight, it can lead to problems with nursing, um, including pain, problems sleeping, breathing. And then when they get into like that toddler stage or six months when they’re starting to eat harder foods, um they can have trouble chewing or swallowing, lots of different issues.
Then when they get into the children’s stage, it leads more into speech or snoring. And then as adults, you can see it show up a lot as contributing towards sleep apnea. So back to the infants, if you release it at that time and it doesn’t develop way later into that contributing towards sleep apnea, it can help with breastfeeding, bottle feeding, making things more efficient, sleeping better, just overall better development and quality of life. Frenectomy are a little scary to think about because you’re releasing tissue. It is a surgery. We do some topical anesthetic that is completely safe for babies and kids. Um, we let that sit on there. It’s very profound. We get it compounded at a pharmacy, so they’re really, really nice and numb. Um, we have protective glasses because we do use a laser, but using that laser really helps them heal very well, too. So, their healing process goes quicker than if it was just a quick snip in a hospital.
Unleash Your Child’s Potential With Tongue-Tie Therapy
The tongue-tie procedure for children, also called a frenectomy, is a safe and straightforward treatment that can be performed right here in our office. Our skilled and caring dental team understands the unique needs of children and strives to provide a comfortable experience.
During the procedure, one of our dentists will gently release the tight frenulum that restricts tongue movement. This is typically done using a laser or scissor technique. Our team will ensure that your child is relaxed and comfortable throughout the process.
Following the procedure, your child may experience some mild discomfort or swelling. This can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and ice packs. Most children can resume their regular activities within a day or two.
Contact Dentistry At Somerset today at 515-337-2244 to schedule a consultation and discuss how a tongue-tie procedure in Ames can benefit your child.