Frenectomies
Is your baby having trouble feeding? Child struggling with speech or limited oral movement?
A simple procedure called a frenectomy may provide relief.
At Caring Tree Children’s Dentistry, we perform gentle frenectomies for infants, children, and teens to improve comfort, function, and development. This minor treatment can make a big difference in feeding, speech, and overall oral health.
For Infants:
Difficulties and Nursing Challenges
Sometimes, babies are born with a tight or short frenulum: the band of tissue under the tongue or upper lip. This tightness can make it hard to latch properly during breastfeeding. You might notice your baby:
- Struggles to latch or stay latched
- Makes clicking sounds while nursing or feeding
- Isn’t gaining weight as expected
- Or, mom feels discomfort during breastfeeding
We understand how stressful feeding challenges can be for new parents. If we find that your baby’s frenulum is limiting their oral mobility, we may recommend a frenectomy. The procedure is quick, gentle, and often completed in just a few moments right in the office. Many parents notice improvements in feeding within days, if not immediately.
For Children & Teens:
Speech, Oral Function, and More
In older kids and teens, a restrictive frenulum (often called tongue-tie or lip-tie) can contribute to:
- Difficulty forming certain sounds
- Trouble with speech clarity
- Challenges in eating, swallowing, or oral hygiene
- Orthodontic or airway issues
- Social frustration or self-consciousness
When these tissues are too tight, they can hold the tongue or lip in place, impacting everything from pronunciation to breathing patterns. During your child’s visit, we’ll perform a full evaluation and talk through whether a frenectomy could support speech development or improve daily comfort.
What to Expect During the Procedure
The treatment involves gently releasing the tight tissue with precision, using tools that minimize discomfort and allow for rapid healing. In many cases, no sutures are needed, and recovery is smooth with just a few days of simple aftercare.
Frenectomies at Caring Tree are safe, quick, and kid-friendly. We use age-appropriate techniques for each patient, whether they’re a newborn or a teenager, and we’ll walk you through everything beforehand.
Why We Use Laser Technology for Frenectomies
At Caring Tree, we use advanced laser technology for our frenectomy procedures because it offers significant advantages for both comfort and healing. Our soft tissue laser allows Dr. Chris to work with incredible precision while making the experience as gentle as possible for your child.
The Benefits of Laser Treatment:
- Quick healing: The laser cuts and cauterizes tissue simultaneously, which means less bleeding and supports quicker recovery.
- More precise control: Unlike scissors, which can easily cut too much or too little tissue, the laser gives Dr. Chris exact control over the procedure.
- Quicker procedure: Most frenectomies take less than two minutes per site.
- More sanitary: The laser’s sterile light beam can reduce the risk of infection.
- Less discomfort: The cauterizing action of the laser supports less post-procedure bleeding and swelling.
Traditional Scissors vs. Laser:
While some practices still use scissors for frenectomies, we’ve found that this older method often leads to longer recovery times, more bleeding, and less predictable results. With scissors, it’s easier to remove too much or too little tissue, which can mean additional procedures or incomplete results.
Our laser technology gives us the precision and gentleness that both parents and children deserve, turning what was once a more involved procedure into a quicker, more comfortable experience.
Meet Dr. Chris, Our Frenectomy Doctor
Dr. Chris is our go-to doctor for frenectomies, thanks to both his clinical skill and his compassionate approach. He’s calm, clear, and always makes time to answer your questions (or talk about dinosaurs, if that’s your child’s thing).
“I love helping kids feel and function better, whether that means better feeding for a newborn or clearer speech for a teen. Little adjustments can create big relief for families.”
Dr. Chris is a board-certified pediatric dentist and father of two who brings humor and heart to every visit. You can learn more about him here.
