Dr. Aaron Schwartz is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist and Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, offering CO2 laser guided full functional releases of tongue and lip-tied newborns in the Atlanta Metro area. Dr. Schwartz is recognized to perform laser frenectomies by the American Board of Laser Dentistry. Dr. Schwartz feels fortunate to be able to provide tongue- lip-tie releases in Atlanta, helping newborns and mothers achieve nursing success.
Are you experiencing nursing difficulties? Has your child’s pediatrician, or your lactation consultant, advised you that these nursing difficulties may be related to a pronounced tongue and/or lip-tie? Surgically releasing this tongue- and/or lip-tie, called a frenectomy, may help your nursing difficulties.
Dr. Schwartz will critically evaluate your child and give you the best advice about whether to treat your child or not. Treatment can be performed the same day as the consultation. However, it is highly recommended and encouraged to speak to a lactation consultant or pediatrician prior to this procedure. Other variables besides a tongue- lip-tie can influence your child’s nursing efficiency. Before any surgery, it’s best to consider all diagnostic criteria.
Dr. Schwartz has the ability to submit this procedure under your child’s medical insurance, as long as you are enrolled in a PPO. Please inquire with our office if you’d like to understand more about financial arrangements.
A pronounced tongue- lip-tie can restrict proper muscular movement while nursing. The overarching goal of a frenectomy is to have newborns and babies command optimal oral-muscular movement while nursing. A frenectomy allows for a wider range of tongue and lip motion for the newborn, leading to a better latch and better oral-muscular movements during the act of nursing. In turn, this may lead to more efficient nursing for the baby and less nipple pain for the mother during feeding.
Laser Frenectomy:
Dr. Aaron Schwartz uses a state-of-the-art CO2 laser to perform frenectomies. The procedure is short, effective, and safe.
The benefits of laser treatment include:
- Lasers are very precise in where they cut tissue. Leaving important anatomical landmarks alone.
- Risk of bleeding significantly reduced. Laser energy can stop bleeding.
- Risk of infection greatly diminished. Laser energy is sterile.
- No shots are needed. We would have your child nurse within minutes.
- Performed easily in-office; bypassing hospital fees and general anesthesia, allowing the baby to return to mom within minutes.
What is a frenulum?
We all have a frenulum. It’s the connective tissues underneath the lip and tongue. The labial frenulum is found under the top lip, and lingual frenulum is found under the tongue. Sometimes the attachment sites for frenulums are abnormally tight or elongated. This can restrict proper oral movements for the nursing newborn, or lead to latching difficulties, making feeding inefficient. It can also lead to intense pain for the mother.
What is a frenectomy?
A frenectomy is a procedure that involves releasing the tight or elongated frenulum, either the lingual frenulum, labial frenulum, or both. Practitioners have also started releasing restrictive buccal ties (along the cheeks).
Maternal symptoms experienced with tongue and lip tied babies:
- Nipple pain and discomfort
- Creased, blanched or “lipstick” shaped nipples
- Cracked, bruised, blistered or bleeding nipples
- Maternal exhaustion and depression
- Plugged ducts
- Infected nipples
- Mastitis and nipple thrush
- Engorged/unemptied breasts
Newborn symptoms:
- Poor, shallow, or non-sustainable latch
- Pops on and off breast and frequently breaks seal
- Gumming and chewing of nipple
- Falls asleep at breast
- Unable to hold pacifier
- Clicking noise while feeding
- Swallows excessive amounts of air
- Gassy
- Reflux
- Long duration of feeds/short time between feedings
- Poor weight gain/failure to thrive
How can a tongue and lip tie affect your child?
- May increase risk of non-optimal weight gain.
- May impact airway and breathing
- May influence tooth and jaw development
- May create difficulties maintaining proper oral hygiene
- May increase risk for developing cavities
- May lead to speech and language impediment.
Laser Frenectomy:
Dr. Aaron Schwartz uses a state-of-the-art CO2 laser to perform frenectomies. The procedure is short, effective, and safe.
The benefits of laser treatment include:
- Lasers are very precise in where they cut tissue. Leaving important anatomical landmarks alone.
- Risk of bleeding significantly reduced. Laser energy can stop bleeding.
- Risk of infection greatly diminished. Laser energy is sterile.
- No shots are needed. We would have your child nurse within minutes.
- Performed easily in-office; bypassing hospital fees and general anesthesia, allowing the baby to return to mom within minutes.
What are the complications/risks?
- Delayed lactation support
- No improvement with nursing
- Oral-aversion for the baby
- Trauma to developing salivary glands and lingual artery
- Bleeding
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