Frenectomy for Infants and Children
In the New York Area
Frenectomy for Infants and Children (Tongue-Tie/Lip-Tie Release)
As a parent, ensuring your child is comfortable, healthy, and thriving is your top priority. However, if your infant or child was born with a restrictive tongue-tie or lip-tie, it can cause significant challenges with feeding, speech, and overall oral development.
At LAVAAN Smiles, we provide gentle, state-of-the-art frenectomies to safely release these ties, offering immediate relief for both parents and their little ones.
What is a Frenectomy?
A frenectomy is a simple, quick oral surgery procedure performed to release a "frenulum"—the small band of connective tissue that attaches the lips, cheeks, or tongue to the mouth.
Sometimes, this tissue is too thick, too short, or too tight, restricting normal movement. The two most common types of restrictive ties we treat are:
Tongue-Tie (Ankyloglossia): The band of tissue connecting the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth is unusually short, limiting the tongue's range of motion.
Lip-Tie: The tissue connecting the upper lip to the upper gums is overly tight, restricting the lip's ability to flare outward.
Signs Your Child May Need a Frenectomy
A restricted frenulum can cause different issues depending on your child’s age and developmental stage.
For Infants (Nursing and Feeding Challenges):
Difficulty latching securely during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding
Prolonged, exhausting feeding sessions
Poor weight gain or failure to thrive
Clicking sounds while nursing
Excessive gas, colic, or reflux (from swallowing too much air)
Severe pain, bleeding, or creasing for the nursing mother
For Toddlers and Older Children:
Speech Impediments: Difficulty articulating certain sounds (like t, d, z, s, th, r, and l).
Eating Difficulties: Trouble chewing or swallowing solid foods cleanly.
Dental Issues: A large gap (diastema) between the two upper front teeth caused by a severe lip-tie, or an increased risk of cavities due to the tongue’s inability to naturally sweep away food debris.
The LAVAAN Smiles Approach: Laser Frenectomies
We understand that the idea of oral surgery for your child can be intimidating. That is why LAVAAN Dental utilizes advanced dental laser technology to perform frenectomies, ensuring the safest, most comfortable experience possible.
The benefits of a laser frenectomy compared to traditional scissors or scalpels include:
Virtually Painless: The laser works incredibly fast and simultaneously numbs the area, meaning little to no anesthesia is required for infants.
Minimal Bleeding: The laser gently cauterizes the tissue as it cuts, resulting in almost zero bleeding.
No Stitches Needed: Because the tissue is sealed instantly, sutures are rarely required.
Rapid Healing: Lasers naturally sterilize the surgical site, drastically reducing the risk of infection and promoting much faster healing times.
Immediate Results: For nursing infants, mothers often notice a dramatic improvement in latching and comfort the very same day!
Post-Procedure Care
Recovery is generally very fast. For the first few days, your child may experience mild soreness or fussiness. We will provide you with specific, easy-to-follow stretching exercises to perform at home. These quick stretches are crucial to preventing the tissue from reattaching as it heals.
Help Your Child Thrive Today
If you suspect a lip-tie or tongue-tie is impacting your child's well-being, our compassionate pediatric team is here to help. Schedule a consultation today for an expert evaluation and gentle care.
Visit us at one of our 3 convenient New York locations:
West Village: 474 6th Ave., New York, NY 10011 | 212-837-1833
Upper East Side: 1196 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10028 | 212-879-1845
Midtown West: 311 West 43rd St, Suite 405, New York, NY 10036 | 212-581-5050
"My favorite dentist office I’ve ever been to. The front desk staff is nice and capable. I never have to wait and the hygienist and dentist are fabulous."
