Infant frenectomy is a minimally invasive procedure performed on infants to correct tongue-ties or lip-ties that restrict movement in the mouth. Some infants are born with a tongue or lip-tie that can hinder their ability to nurse, swallow, chew and breathe. Frenectomy allows pediatricians to fix tongue and lip-ties quickly with little to no bleeding.

What Does Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie Mean?

Tongue-ties and lip-ties involve frenulum, the connective tissue membranes in the mouth that connects surfaces of the oral cavity. The important frenulum in the mouth are lingual (connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth), labial or maxillary (where the lips connect to the gums) and buccal (connects the gums to the insides of the cheeks).

A tongue-tie (medically referred to as ankyloglossia) occurs when a baby’s lingual frenulum is so tight that it restricts proper movement of the tongue. Infants with a tongue-tie can often have trouble breastfeeding, including difficulty latching, decreased milk intake and poor weight gain. If the tongue-tie is not corrected during infancy, the child could develop issues with speech as they get older.

A lip-tie occurs when a baby’s labial frenulum is abnormally tight. In some cases, infants with a tongue-tie may also have a lip-tie. A trained pediatrician can examine a baby’s mouth to properly diagnose any restricted membranes. Babies with lip-ties are often unable to create an adequate seal to the breast which can cause excess air intake while breastfeeding. When this happens, a baby tends to be more fussy and gassy following feeding.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie?

It is possible for an infant with a tongue or lip-tie to have no trouble breastfeeding, but chances are they will likely demonstrate some symptoms. It is important to recognize that these symptoms could also be linked to other breastfeeding problems, so be sure to have your baby examined by an experienced pediatrician to determine the cause of their symptoms.

A baby could have a tongue-tie or lip-tie if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:

• Loses suction while breastfeeding
• Noisy suckling or clicking
• Becomes quickly fatigued while feeding
• Coughing or gagging
• Excessive gas after eating
• Poor weight gain
• Lip blisters
• Loud breathing or snoring while sleeping
• Signs of colic or reflux

How Can You Tell if an Infant Needs a Frenectomy?

If an infant’s tongue or lip-tie is causing any of the previously mentioned difficulties a pediatrician will likely recommend correcting the problem via a frenectomy. Remember, it’s not about how an infant’s mouth looks but how it functions. A baby could have a tongue or lip-tie without losing mobility in their mouth. In these cases, a pediatrician may not suggest a frenectomy.

It’s important to have your pediatrician examine your child’s mouth for signs and symptoms of tongue or lip-tie.

How Is an Infant Frenectomy Performed?

If an infant or child requires a frenectomy, it is typically performed by their pediatrician or a trained dental specialist. The procedure is quick, low-risk and minimally invasive.

Performing a lingual frenectomy involves detaching the connective tissues that attach the tongue to the floor of the mouth. This is done by holding the tongue upward toward the roof of the mouth to expose the frenulum. The pediatrician then cuts the frenulum to free the tongue and allow for greater mobility.

Performing a maxillary frenectomy involves removing the tissue that attaches the upper gums to the front teeth. This is done by pulling the top lip up and back to expose the tissue. The pediatrician then removes the excess frenulum to improve the child’s lip mobility.

Depending on your pediatrician’s office, both procedures are either done with a laser or scissors. The good news is that both methods only take about 10 to 15 minutes and approximately two weeks of recovery. The only potential complication is excessive bleeding, but the procedures typically only result in a drop of blood.

Schedule Your Child’s Evaluation at St. Hope’s Pediatric Office

Our team of medical professionals at St. Hope Foundation provides quality pediatric care to families living in the Houston area. We offer one-stop solutions for parents and their children to receive the medical treatments they need to keep their families happy and healthy — including procedures like infant frenectomy.

Contact us online or give us a call at (713) 778-1300 to schedule an appointment today.