Understanding Infant Frenectomy: What Parents Need to Know

Infant frenectomy is a form of surgery that corrects tongue-tie. This condition occurs when the lingual frenum is thick or short enough to limit your baby’s tongue movement. It can also make sucking or breastfeeding more difficult. That is why children must have this surgery before they grow older. Understanding infant frenectomy can help parents prepare well for their child’s surgery.

When to get the procedure

The doctor will assess the infant’s oral components. This exam will determine if the lingual frenum prevents the infant from feeding. The doctor must correct this anomaly while the child is still an infant. Doing so will prevent the child from having speech difficulties during the formative years.

A tongue-tie may stay undetected during routine visits. The doctor or parent may only discover it when the child starts attending school. An elongated frenum may impair normal tongue extension. Extreme conditions often result in painful and difficult swallowing. Infant frenectomy can be a quick procedure. The young patient may experience little discomfort weeks after birth.

An extended labial frenum increases the risk of dental misalignment. This condition can block the normal spacing and growth of the two upper front teeth. The gap often bothers the parents, worrying that this situation will need traditional braces. Dentists recommend getting a dental straightening solution after all the teeth come out. A labial infant frenectomy is necessary if the dental gap remains after applying traditional braces. There are cases when the gap closes because of the emergence of permanent teeth.

The dentist must perform an infant frenectomy if the child is going through the side effects of a lip-tie or tongue-tie. There will be a non-invasive or natural treatment if the frenum is not impairing the child’s speech or feeding. An infant frenectomy will be an essential solution if the frenum is preventing proper eating or speaking. The procedure will take place in the dentist’s clinic.

The procedure

The frenum attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth. The dentist will recommend lingual infant frenectomy if this tissue affects the child’s development. Removing the tissue attachment of the upper gums to the upper front teeth is called a maxillary infant frenectomy. This surgery is essential so that newborns do not curl out or glare their lips, which makes latching on to the breast extra challenging.

Infant frenectomy often takes 10 to 15 minutes. The parent must keep the child comfortable and calm. Holding the child during the procedure can help. The dentist will numb the area with a topical anesthetic. A soft tissue laser will cut the frenulum with very little pain and bleeding. Most patients do not need stitches after the procedure.

Recovery may take about two weeks. Pain relievers can help manage the pain around the surgical area. The parent must follow the strict aftercare instructions from the dentist. Post-operative instructions include preventing unnecessary tongue movements and properly cleaning the surgical area. Parents must observe the child strictly to prevent complications.

The symptoms of tongue-tie

Observing an infant’s behavior is key in spotting a possible tongue-tie. That is why parents must always be mindful of their children’s actions. Bringing the child to the dentist is important if the child shows specific behaviors. The following are some of them:

• Difficulty using the tongue to reach the roof of the mouth
• It is challenging for the child to stick out the tongue
• Problems moving the tongue in the mouth
• Difficulty latching onto the breast while breastfeeding
• A V-shaped notch appears at the tip of the tongue
• Reduced range of motion of the tongue when the child licks a lollipop or ice cream

Aftercare

The child will experience a bigger range of motion when using the tongue after infant frenectomy. This outcome will enable the child to feed or nurse after the procedure. In infants, the discomfort will fade about a day after the surgery. Post-operative pain in older kids will disappear after about two days.

Natural pain relief for infants comes from skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding. Over-the-counter medications can also help relieve discomfort during the first day or two. Remember to use these medications according to the dentist’s directions. Follow the proper dosage for the child.

Apply light pressure if there is slight bleeding at the surgical site. Do this until the bleeding stops. A whitish or yellowish frenulum is normal after the surgery. Normal tissue coloration will return after full recovery. Complete healing depends on the child, but it often takes about three weeks.

Infant frenectomy is a type of surgery that can help your child’s development

A lip-tie or tongue-tie is not necessarily a medical condition. The child’s development may continue even with this type of issue. Infant frenectomy is only necessary if the tongue-tie or lip-tie affects the child’s development. Working with your dentist can help your child heal quickly and develop well.

Request an appointment here: https://www.hvkidsmiles.com or call Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry at (845) 363-4177 for an appointment in our Middletown office.

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