Infant Frenectomies: When Should They Be Performed?

Whether you’re a new mom or this is your second or third child, realizing your baby has a lip or tongue-tie can be disheartening. You want these early days to be enjoyable, not frustrating for your little one. However, when banded tissues get in the way, nursing or bottle-feeding can become a problem. How soon can an infant frenectomy be performed? Keep reading to find out why there’s no reason to wait when it comes to helping your baby flourish.

Is There a “Best” Time for an Infant Frenectomy?

Generally, infants who have a lip or tongue-tie experience successful results if seen before they reach the age of one. If you discover a problem with your baby’s inability to nurse or take a bottle early on, do not wait to seek help. The earlier you reach out to discuss your options, the sooner you and your little one will be able to establish a positive and successful routine.

Of course, you may not notice there is a problem until after they are a year old. In that case, you can still talk to your child’s dentist about moving forward with a frenectomy to alleviate problems associated with eating and speaking as they get older.

What is a Frenectomy?

A frenectomy is a procedure that involves releasing the banded tissue that is located behind the upper lip (lip-tie) or underneath the tongue (tongue-tie). It can be completed quickly and oftentimes without anesthetic, especially among younger patients (i.e., infants).

Although many professionals still use a traditional method (scalpels and sutures), more dentists are turning to laser dentistry to perform these procedures because of how accurate and quick they are to complete. Not to mention, the use of a laser allows for optimal precision, minimal bleeding, and faster recovery.

What Should Be Done After a Frenectomy is Finished?

Once your child’s frenectomy is complete, you will receive aftercare instructions that you’ll need to follow when you return home. These include performing various stretches to ensure the tissue does not reattach.

Typically, you are encouraged to bring a bottle or be ready to nurse your baby immediately following the procedure. This allows them to feel soothed while also beginning to use their tongue and/or lip more freely.

While many infants quickly take to using their newfound oral movement, others may need a bit of time to adjust. Fortunately, it shouldn’t take long for you and your little one to notice an improvement.

About the Author
Dr. Maggie Davis earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery and completed her pediatric residency at the University of Florida. A board-certified pediatric dentist and Diplomate in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, she is certified in treating infant and pediatric tongue-ties and lip-ties by the American Board of Laser Surgery. She is also a graduate of Dr. Richard Baxter’s Tongue Tie Academy and TOTs: Tethered Oral Tissues Program. If you believe your child may be dealing with a lip or tongue-tie, call our office at (727) 786-7551 or visit our website.