Frenectomy Pediatric Dentist in Frisco, TX
A frenectomy is a simple and minimally invasive procedure that helps correct lip-ties and tongue-ties, improving speech, feeding, and oral development in children. At Dental Smart Kids, we specialize in gentle pediatric frenectomies, using advanced laser technology to ensure fast healing and minimal discomfort for your child.
What is a Frenectomy?
A frenectomy is a procedure that addresses tethered oral tissues (TOTs), when the frenum (the connective soft tissue under the tongue or behind the upper lip) is too tight, restricting normal movement. This can lead to a variety of challenges for children, such as:
Difficulty breastfeeding or eating (in infants)
Speech impairments
Issues with facial development
For years, frenectomies were performed with traditional tools that often involved anesthesia, extensive recovery times, and potential complications like bleeding and swelling. However, with the advent of the Solea Laser, Dental Smart Kids Dentistry can now offer a far more advanced solution, removing many of the stresses associated with this procedure.
Solea Laser Technology: How It Works
The Solea Laser is a state of the art, all tissue laser that enables precise, effective frenectomies with minimal discomfort. Unlike traditional methods that require needles, numbing agents, and sutures, the Solea Laser often eliminates the need for anesthesia entirely. This innovative approach allows for:
Benefits of Solea Laser for Frenectomy
- Minimal Bleeding: The laser cauterizes the tissue as it works, reducing bleeding and making the procedure safer.
- Less Post-Op Discomfort: The precise nature of the laser allows for faster recovery with minimal swelling and pain.
- Rapid Healing: Children recover much faster compared to traditional frenectomy methods, often returning to normal activities within a day or two.
- No Need for Sutures: Most procedures performed with Solea don’t require stitches, reducing the risk of complications and making aftercare easier for parents, but our emergency dental care is always available if needed.
- For infants and newborns, Solea allows immediate nursing after the procedure, reducing stress for both mother and child.
- For older children, the process is quick, with little to no discomfort, allowing them to return to school and activities with minimal disruption.
- For parents, the peace of mind knowing their child won’t undergo painful recovery or experience lingering effects from anesthesia is invaluable.
Real-World Impact: How Solea is Changing Lives
Dr. Lawrence Kotlow, a renowned expert in pediatric dentistry, explains, “Parents don’t want to put their children through the ordeal of general anesthesia or the postoperative discomfort associated with traditional methods. Solea has allowed me to perform frenectomies gently in my office without anesthesia or discomfort, providing a better experience for both the children and their parents.”
Similarly, Dr. Jared Poplin highlights the faster healing associated with the Solea Laser: “By using Solea for frenectomies, from newborns onward, there is less inflammation and less scar tissue compared to older methods, including those of other lasers.”
Dr. Andrea Gamble also notes that with the Solea Laser, “The kids do so much better during and after laser procedures. It’s a huge benefit for them.”
Types of Frenectomy
Frenectomy procedures help correct tongue-tie and lip-tie, conditions where the tissue connecting the tongue or lip to the mouth is too tight, restricting movement. These restrictions can cause feeding difficulties, speech challenges, and oral health issues. By releasing the tight tissue, a frenectomy allows for better tongue mobility, improved swallowing, and proper dental development. The two main types of frenectomy procedures are:
Lip-Tie Surgery
A lip-tie occurs when the labial frenulum, the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums, is overly tight, limiting the lip’s natural movement. This can lead to breastfeeding struggles, speech difficulties, and gaps between the front teeth. Lip-tie surgery is a quick, minimally invasive procedure that improves feeding efficiency, speech clarity, and overall oral function.
Tongue-Tie Surgery
A tongue-tie happens when the lingual frenulum, the band of tissue under the tongue, is too short or thick, restricting tongue movement. This condition can affect a child’s ability to breastfeed, eat solid foods, and articulate certain sounds. Tongue-tie surgery, also known as a lingual frenectomy, helps improve tongue mobility, speech clarity, and swallowing ability.
Benefits of a Frenectomy for Children
Improves Speech Development:
Helps with pronunciation and clarity by allowing better tongue movement.
Enhances Feeding & Swallowing:
Resolves breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, and solid food swallowing difficulties.
Prevents Future Dental Issues:
Reduces the risk of gum recession, misalignment, and spacing issues that might require orthodontic treatment.
Quick & Minimally Invasive Procedure:
The procedure is painless and takes only a few minutes.
Fast Recovery & Healing:
Most children heal within a few days, with little to no discomfort.
Signs Your Child May Need a Frenectomy
Your child may benefit from a lip-tie or tongue-tie release if they experience:
Difficulty breastfeeding or bottle-feeding (struggling to latch or stay latched)
Speech difficulties (trouble pronouncing sounds or limited tongue movement)
Frequent gagging or choking while eating
Gaps between the front teeth caused by a tight lip frenulum
Inability to stick out their tongue or touch the roof of their mouth
Ongoing oral hygiene challenges due to restricted tongue movement
If you notice these signs, a consultation with our pediatric dentist can help determine if a frenectomy is the best solution for your child.
Why Choose Dental Smart Kids for a Frenectomy in Frisco, TX?
At Dental Smart Kids, we understand that lip-tie and tongue-tie procedures require specialized care to ensure a gentle and stress-free experience for children. Our pediatric dentist in Frisco and the surrounding neighborhoods. uses advanced, minimally invasive techniques to provide precise, effective, and virtually painless treatment with quick recovery times. We are committed to making every visit comfortable and reassuring for both children and parents.
Experienced Pediatric Dentist Specializing in Lip- & Tongue-Tie Surgery
Minimally Invasive & Painless Laser Treatment
Fast Recovery with Gentle Post-Treatment Care
