With my subspeciality in inflant laser frenectomies, I’ve treat over one thousand newborns with tongue-ties and/or lip-ties. A tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, is a condition that can affect an infant’s ability to breastfeed and bottle feed, and can have long-term implications on their oral health, learning to eat solid food, and speech development. In this blog post, I aim to share what your experience would like like if you came to my practice if you baby has a tongue tie or lip tie.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Tongue Tie:
Understanding the signs and symptoms of tongue tie is crucial in identifying infants who may benefit from intervention. I discuss common indicators such as difficulty latching during breastfeeding, poor weight gain, maternal nipple. With a team approach helping you recognize these signs, healthcare professionals can initiate timely assessments and appropriate interventions. Collaborating with lactation consultants, occupational therapists and/or speach and language therapists, can ensure a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment.
The Diagnostic Process:
Assessing and diagnosing tongue ties in newborns require a comprehensive evaluation. I discuss the assessment techniques employed, including clinical observation and physical examination. I look at the overall range of motion of the tongue and lip and classify any restriction. This gives us an understanding how severe (or not severe) the tongue/lip tie is. I am able to identify AND TREAT buccal-ties as well. Buccal ties, a component of a lip-tie, cannot be treated by a scissor or scalpel. CO2 lasers, however, can effectively release buccal ties.
Treatment Goals:
First, my most important goal is NOT jumping into treatment. My most important goal is help guide and educate parents to make their most informed decision possible.
Procedure Insights and Techniques and Post Procedure Goals:
In my office, I provide an overview of the procedure itself. I discuss the steps involved and the meticulous technique required to ensure precision and minimize post-procedure complications. By shedding light on the procedural aspects, I aim to alleviate any concerns parents may have and provide reassurance regarding the safety and efficacy of the treatment. I explain the benefits of laser frenectomy, such as minimal bleeding, reduced discomfort, and faster healing times, which have made it a preferred choice for many parents and healthcare professionals. I personally use a CO2 laser, brand name LightScalpel. Some providers use other lasers, commonly referred to as ‘water-lasers’. But don’t let this fool you. There is no such thing a water laser. Baby is usually in the treatment room for under 3 minutes. Directly after the procedure, mom is able to nurse/bottle feed baby in a private setting. Parents typically leave about 20-30 minutes later with a sleeping baby.
Post-Procedure Care and Support:
After the frenectomy, post-procedure care is essential for successful healing and optimal outcomes. I share detailed instructions for parents on wound care and oral exercises to prevent reattachment. Additionally, I emphasize the significance of ongoing support from healthcare professionals and the availability of resources for breastfeeding support and OT feeding therapy if needed.
Conclusion:
Treating newborns with tongue-ties and/or lip-ties is a rewarding subspeciality in my pediatric dental practice. I hope to raise awareness about this condition, the importance of early intervention, and the available treatment options. Through collaboration between healthcare professionals, parents, and supportive resources, we can ensure that every newborn with a tongue-tie and/or lip-tie receives appropriate care, setting the stage for healthy development and a positive impact on their overall well-being.
