Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment – Leesburg, VA

Fast, Safe & Comfortable Frenectomies

Lip and tongue tie restrictions are becoming more commonly diagnosed in newborns and children because providers and parents are understanding the signs and symptoms which may indicate an oral tie. Your little detective deserves to have maximum mobility of their mouth, allowing them to eat and speak more easily. Agent T and her team at Tooth Clues - The Dental Detective for Kids offers comfortable and quick laser frenectomies. If your newborn or child is experiencing any symptoms listed below, please call our pediatric dental office to schedule an appointment for lip and tongue-tie treatment in Leesburg.

Why Choose Tooth Clues - The Dental Detective for Kids for Your Child’s Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment?

Fast & More Comfortable Laser Frenectomies
We Accept & Maximize Dental Insurance
Collaboration with Other Pediatric Specialists

How Do Lip & Tongue Ties Develop?

Baby who needs lip and tongue tie treatment in Leesburg sticking their tongue out

A frenum is a band of fiber that connects two other soft tissue pieces together, i.e. attaching a baby’s lips to their gums (called a labial or buccal frenum) and the tongue to the floor of their mouth (called a lingual frenum). When these are unusually short, thick, webbed, tight or attached in an awkward position, they limit your child’s ability to nurse, eat certain foods, and speak as they grow older.

It is never too early to start looking for common signs of this condition, and in many cases, breastfeeding parents and their supporting team of lactation consultants, speech language pathologists, and/or other body workers, etc. are able to help quickly and spot these restrictions.

Symptoms of lip and tongue ties in infants often lead to:

A shallow and ineffective latch
Poor weight gain
Colic and reflux symptoms
A need for constant feedings
Biting of the nipple while nursing

And mothers often struggle with:

Mastitis
Infections of the breast
Cracked/bruised/blistered nipples
Emotional frustrations and depression

Why Is It Important to Treat Lip & Tongue Ties in Children?

Pediatric dentist examining child who has tongue tie

Despite the frenum being such a small piece of soft tissue, it can often lead to problems in overall growth and development for your child if left untreated.

You may notice that your child’s untreated lip or tongue tie may lead to:

Challenges in brushing teeth
Cavities
Dental and orofacial anomalies including restricted dental arch development and proper facial growth
Space/gaps between teeth
Limited range of motion and oral function leading your toddler/child to be a picky eater
Delayed speech development
Behavior challenges
Mouth breathing
Sleep apnea

The Steps of Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment

Young girl with curly brown hair smiling outdoors

For our frenectomy procedures, Agent T offers a comfortable, safe, and fast release using her Solea All-Tissue dental laser. With the Solea laser, the restricted tie is removed and any surrounding tissue is disinfected and cauterized. Virtually eliminating any significant bleeding and pain, the Solea laser kills bacteria, allowing your little one to make a speedy and problem-free recovery.

Lip & Tongue-Tie FAQs

Does your child have a lip or tongue-tie? We offer laser frenectomies to allow your child greater oral function and movement. However, you may still have some unanswered questions, so we are here to help! Here are the answers to the most common questions we get asked about lip and tongue-ties in Leesburg. If you do not see the information that you are looking for below, do not worry. Give us a call and we would be happy to address any questions or concerns that you have.

Does a Frenectomy Hurt?

No, laser frenectomies involve very little discomfort. In fact, local anesthetics are not usually even necessary. Our Solea laser precisely only targets the tissue and cauterizes as the frenum is relieved, reducing bleeding. If the frenum is particularly thick, a topical or local anesthetic can be used to ensure patient comfort.

Is My Child Old Enough to Get Lip or Tongue-Tie Treatment?

The thought of an infant going through a procedure can be scary at first. However, there is no minimum age for getting a lip or tongue-tie release. It can be released as soon as feasible after birth. Unfortunately, lip and tongue-ties do not resolve themselves, so there is not any reason to postpone treatment. The sooner the tie is identified and resolved, the sooner your child will have improved oral function.

How Long Does a Frenectomy Take?

Usually, the procedure just takes a few minutes – especially with our Solea laser. If the frenum is especially thick or your child is having both a lip and tongue-tie corrected, it may take a little bit longer. During your consultation, we will discuss more about the timeline of the treatment so you know exactly what to expect.

Will My Infant Cry During the Frenectomy?

It is common for infants to cry before, during, or after a frenectomy. However, this is not because it is painful. Infants sometimes do not prefer to be swaddled and also simply do not like their lip or tongue being held. And crying is how they express their discomfort. Our team understands the trust that you are putting in us and always will do everything we can to work efficiently and gently. Just remember that this treatment can help your child and we always have their best interest at heart.

Are There Diet Restrictions After a Frenectomy?

For infants, their diet of breastmilk and/or formula will stay the same following this procedure. For toddlers and older children, it is a little bit different. If they received a local anesthetic, you should wait until it wears off before you feed them solid foods. For a day or two afterward, they should stay away from foods that are particularly hot, cold, salty, or acidic. This can irritate the healing tissue and cause discomfort.

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