Frenectomies in Pearland, TX

Frenectomies For Your Young Child or Teen

A short lingual frenum is a thick tissue attachment between the tongue and floor of the mouth that may lead to limited tongue movement, also known as a “tongue tie”.  The tongue may appear fused to the floor of the mouth and have restrictions in movement.  Restrictions in tongue mobility can interfere with the normal cleansing action of the tongue, which can lead to cavities, gingivitis and bad breath.  A tongue tie may also lead to a delay in normal speech development and lead to speech articulating problems.  A short labial frenum (fused lips to the gums) may also cause problems for your child including gum recession and gaps between teeth.

A procedure called a frenectomy is often recommended for treatment of a short frenum, which involves “cutting/clipping” of the tissue that releases the tongue or lip.  Here at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Clark or Dr. Zoronjic will evaluate your child and decide if a frenectomy is beneficial and appropriate. Frenectomies are done as in-office procedures with the use of a surgical soft tissue laser.  The use of a laser enables the procedure to be done with little bleeding. The laser allows Dr. Clark or her associate to perform the procedure quickly and since there is little or no bleeding, then there are no sutures placed.  If your child will benefit from a frenectomy then Dr. Clark or Dr. Zoronjic will discuss it with you.

Frenectomies For Your Nursing Baby

During breastfeeding, a short lingual frenum (tongue tie) and a short labial frenum (lip fused to gums) can cause an ineffective latch, inadequate milk intake and persistent maternal nipple pain and soreness, all of which affect feeding adversely.  When feeding is compromised, babies may experience slow or no weight gain, slow feeding, frustration during feeding or refusal to feed altogether.  If an infant is observed to have problems latching, becomes fatigued during nursing, is out of breath and has inadequate weight gain, and mother is experiencing considerable discomfort during nursing, a problem of a tongue tie may be considered. 

A procedure called a frenectomy is often recommended for treatment of a short frenum, which involves “cutting/clipping” of the tissue that releases the tongue or lip.  Here at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Clark or her associate will evaluate your baby and decide if a frenectomy is beneficial and appropriate. Frenectomies are done as in-office procedures with the use of a surgical soft tissue laser.