What Is A Lingual Frenectomy And Does My Child Need One?

It can be scary when your child needs oral surgery of any kind. But lingual frenectomies are a very simple, fast, and minimally-invasive procedure. If your child has been diagnosed with tongue ties (ankyloglossia), your child may need this treatment to restore their oral range of motion.

Not sure what to expect or if your child needs a frenectomy? The Muscatine pediatric dentists at Arctic Dental will explain the basics about the procedure and why it may be necessary.

Lingual Frenectomies Are Used To Treat Tongue Ties (Ankyloglossia)

A lingual frenectomy is usually the best treatment option if your child has tongue ties, also called “ankyloglossia.” This condition happens when the band of tissue (frenulum) attaching the tongue to the base of the mouth is too thick and overdeveloped.

Sometimes, this causes no symptoms. But in severe cases, a tongue tie can restrict your child’s tongue movement. This may cause issues when breastfeeding or eating, which is particularly problematic for infants who need proper nutrition to thrive.

Later in life, tongue ties can also result in speech impediments. So if a dentist like Dr. Jarod Johnson notices a severe tongue tie, they may recommend a lingual frenectomy. This procedure involves snipping the frenulum. In turn, this frees up the tongue and restores your child’s oral range of motion.

Understanding The Process Of A Lingual Frenectomy

Typically, soft tissue lasers are used for lingual frenectomies. With a laser, there is a lower risk of infection, the tongue heals more quickly, and there is no need for stitches due to minimal bleeding. Numbing is not usually needed, either.

To begin the process, the treatment area is cleaned and sanitized. Then, Dr. Jarod will snip the frenulum, removing part of the band of tissue if necessary. After this, the area will be cleaned up and you’ll be sent home. The entire process takes only a few minutes.

You may need to do some physical therapy exercises with your child to make sure their tongue heals properly. Dr. Jarod will provide you with more instructions after your child’s surgery.

Does My Child Need A Lingual Frenectomy? Understanding The Common Signs

If you think your child may have tongue ties, you should see your pediatrician or a pediatric dentist right away. Here are a few signs that may indicate a tongue tie.

• Feeding difficulties – Children with tongue ties may have trouble latching on the nipple and they may “gum” and chew it. They may also cry when feeding, fall asleep, or drool a lot while feeding. Feeding issues may also result in slow weight gain.
• Heart-shaped tongue – If your child sticks their tongue out, it may look “notched” or “heart-shaped,” instead of flat or gently curved. This is because the frenulum is pulling the tongue down and restricting its movement.
• Restricted tongue movement – If it seems that your child can’t stick their tongue out past their front teeth, or cannot move it easily from side to side, this may indicate a tongue tie.

Contact Arctic Dental For A Consultation With Dr. Jarod Johnson

Dr. Jarod is experienced in recognizing tongue ties. If you think that your child may have tongue ties and may need a lingual frenectomy, Dr. Jarod is here to help. Give us a call at (563) 607-5979 or contact us to schedule an appointment right away.