Tongue tie and lip tie
Assessed properly, before anything is decided
Oral tissue ties are assessed by what they are actually limiting, not by how they look. Where a release is the right answer we do it here, with a CO2 laser. Where it is not, we will tell you so.
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The short version
What a tie is, and what it is not
A tie that can be seen is not automatically a tie that needs treating. That distinction is the whole of this page.
Tongue tie
The band of tissue under the tongue, the lingual frenum, is short or attached further forward than usual, so the tongue does not move as freely. It is something we look at as part of an assessment, not something diagnosed from a photograph.
Lip tie
The band between the upper lip and the gum sits low or is unusually tight. Whether it matters depends on what it is actually doing, which is why the assessment looks at function rather than only at appearance.
Assessment comes first
A tie that is visible is not automatically a tie that needs treating. We look at how your child feeds, moves the tongue and lip, and whether anything is being limited in practice. Plenty of assessments end with no treatment, and you will be told that plainly.
How it works here
From the assessment to going home
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We assess before we decide
The appointment starts with an examination and a conversation about what you have noticed. If your baby is feeding, we want to hear what that is actually like. Where a lactation consultant, physician or speech-language pathologist is already involved, we would rather coordinate with them than work around them.
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If a release is appropriate
A frenectomy releases the band of tissue. It is a short procedure done in the office. We go through what is involved, what to expect afterwards and what the alternatives are, including doing nothing for now, before you decide anything.
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We use a CO2 laser
Our frenectomies are done with a CO2 laser, a LightScalpel. That is the instrument we use. We will explain on the day what it means for your child, what you will see and hear, and what aftercare looks like.
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Aftercare, in writing
You go home with written instructions and a number to call. Those instructions are specific to your child and take precedence over anything on this page. If something does not look right afterwards, call us rather than waiting to see.
Treatment under general anesthesia is a separate conversation and a separate setting. Sedation and anesthesia.
After the procedure
Personalized aftercare and ongoing support
Your child’s care doesn’t end after their lip or tongue-tie procedure. We provide clear, written post-operative instructions tailored to your child’s needs, along with a contact number if you have any questions or concerns during recovery.
When appropriate, a myofunctional therapist may also be involved in your child’s care to guide post-operative exercises and support improved tongue mobility, oral muscle coordination, and overall oral function. These exercises are individualized based on your child’s age, development, and treatment needs.
Our goal is to support proper healing, improved function, and a comfortable recovery, with guidance and support every step of the way.
Questions
What parents ask
Does my baby have a tongue tie?
That is not a question anyone should answer from a description or a photo, including us. Ties are assessed by looking at how the tongue and lip actually move and what, if anything, is being limited. Book an assessment and you will get a straight answer, including the answer that nothing needs doing.
Will a release fix feeding problems?
We will not promise you that, and be careful of anyone who does. Feeding difficulty has several possible causes and a tie is only one of them, which is why the assessment looks at the whole picture and why we would rather work alongside a lactation consultant than instead of one. What we can tell you is what we find and what we think it is doing.
What is the CO2 laser?
It is the instrument we use for these releases, a LightScalpel CO2 laser. We will show you what is involved and answer questions about it at the appointment.
Does my baby need a referral for a tongue-tie assessment?
Not necessarily. If you are establishing your child as a new patient and joining our prevention program, no referral is needed and you can book the assessment directly. If your child already has a dentist and this is a specialist opinion on one concern, we ask that dentist for a referral. We also welcome referrals from physicians and lactation consultants.
What age do you see babies for lip and tongue-tie assessments?
We welcome babies from infancy, including newborns, for lip and tongue-tie assessments. Our pediatric dentists are experienced in caring for even our youngest patients, and we aim to make every visit gentle, comfortable, and reassuring for both babies and parents.
Your baby’s safety is our priority. Before considering a lip or tongue-tie release, we require confirmation that your baby has received vitamin K at birth to help reduce the risk of excessive bleeding.
We believe that not every lip or tongue-tie needs to be released. Our approach is based on function and quality of life, not simply how the tissue looks. We only recommend treatment when a restrictive oral tissue attachment is contributing to meaningful symptoms, such as feeding difficulties, poor latch, or other functional concerns.
Our pediatric dentists carefully assess your baby’s symptoms, feeding history, and oral function before discussing whether treatment is necessary.
Our goal is to recommend treatment only when there is a clear clinical benefit for your child’s health, comfort, and development.
Still not sure whether this is worth an appointment? Call us on 403-930-0270 and ask.