Often overlooked or misdiagnosed, mouth restrictions may be the cause of unnecessary oral functioning limitations with breastfeeding, chewing, swallowing, speaking, sleeping, and even breathing

Tongue-tie

Tongue-tie, or ankyloglossia, is a condition that restricts the tongue's range of motion. It occurs when a band of tissue, called the lingual frenulum, tethers the bottom of the tongue's tip to the floor of the mouth. This band of tissue can be unusually short, thick, or tight. Tongue-tie is present at birth and can interfere with breastfeeding

Lip-tie

A lip tie is a condition where the skin of the upper lip is attached to the gums in a way that prevents lip movement. This can make breastfeeding difficult for babies. Lip ties can also cause speech problems, sleep apnea, and problems chewing and swallowing food. The piece of tissue behind the upper lip is called the frenulum. When these membranes are too thick or too stiff, they can keep the upper lip from moving freely. 

Children may be born with a combination of conditions called a tongue-tie and/or lip-tie. These attachments can cause restrictions in movement, and can generally be improved by a simple release done with a precise, soft-tissue laser.

Laser frenectomy treatment

Laser frenectomy (also known as laser frenulectomy, laser frenotomy, or laser lip-tie or tongue-tie release) is a minimally invasive procedure that improves oral health and quality of life and reduces the risk of bleeding and infection.

Frenectomy treatment takes usually only 10-15 seconds, resulting in faster healing times, less pain and swelling, and allowing for a quicker recovery.

  • We will perform this quick procedure using a laser. The laser is very efficient at cutting and coagulating soft tissue with the least amount of thermal damage, little to no bleeding, less post-operative discomfort, and no sutures are needed.

    The wound will appear as a small diamond shape with a dark yellowish coloring which should form a film within a few days, similar to the appearance of a wet scab. The risk for infection is little to none.

    Recovery is quick and we’ll provide you with stretching exercises to help prevent reattachment and achieve an optimum result.

  • Since the mouth heals very quickly and wounds typically contract to the center as they heal, stretching the newly detached area is key to preventing reattachment and achieving an optimum result.

    We will give you detailed post-frenectomy instructions to ensure the best possible outcome for your child.

    It is normal for babies to experience mild discomfort and minimal swelling after a laser frenectomy, but these symptoms should quickly subside after 24 hours.

    Breastfeeding after laser frenectomy will not interfere with healing, and many infants find it comforting.

FAQ’s

  • Tongue-ties and lip-ties can be tricky to diagnose properly, and training in this area is lacking among healthcare professionals. The subject is not covered in dental or medical schools, or even in residency programs.

    Oftentimes, parents will sense that something is not right, even after another provider may have told them that there is no oral restriction.

    Let Dr. Friedman utilize his expertise in the latest tongue-tie research to expertly evaluate your child. If there is a restriction, he will give you his professional recommendation for treatment.

  • Frenectomy or Frenuloplasty, is a relatively minor surgical procedure performed to loosen or remove overly large, tight, or poorly positioned band(s) of tissue that are present inside the mouth, connected to the lip, cheeks, or floor of the mouth (frenum) - a condition commonly referred to as being “tongue-tied” or “ankyloglossia.”

    Laser frenectomies (also known as laser frenulectomy, laser frenotomy, laser lip-tie or tongue-tie release) uses a state-of-the-art dental laser, with which we easily release ties in a 10-15 second precise, quick, and sedation-free procedure usually with minimal to no bleeding.

  • Many dental insurance companies will deny the procedure, classifying it as a congenital medical condition. However, many medical/health insurance plans cover both the exam and procedure, and we will provide you with a health insurance claim form that you can submit to request reimbursement.

    Our aim is to deliver the highest quality oral surgery care at the most reasonable cost to our patients. We accept all major credit cards, checks, cash, and CareCredit®. If you have questions regarding our financial policies or your existing account, please contact North Jersey Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at (201) 692-7737. Our staff will be happy to guide you.