What is a tongue and lip tie?
A tongue tie is a condition that limits the use of the tongue. A lip tie is a condition that restricts the mobility of the upper lip. The attachment under our tongue or lip is called a frenum. Everyone has a frenum, but in some this attachment may be too tight or thick and cause mobility issues.
Having a tongue or lip tie as an infant can impact their ability to feed effectively. Later in life a tie can cause dental, speech, sleep and feeding issues.
What is a frenectomy?
A frenectomy is a procedure that releases the tight frenum under the lip or tongue. Dr. Stuefen has performed this procedure on many infants and uses a laser. The laser allows for minimal bleeding, excellent visualization. and great healing. Dr. Stuefen has worked on infants as young as a day old and the baby is allowed to nurse immediately after the procedure. By improving tongue or lip mobility, the frenectomy aims to alleviate feeding issues, promote better nutrition, and overall well-being for the infant.
Improvement in symptoms is a team effort. Support from various professionals like myofunctional therapists, speech therapists, lactation consultants, chiropractors, and physical therapists is key to successful treatment.
Post-Op Instructions
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