Frenulum Release in Raleigh, NC
Are you or your children experiencing tongue-tie? It’s a condition that prevents you from moving your tongue freely, which causes speech and eating problems. If so, don’t worry. VP Dental offers frenulum release in Raleigh, NC, and it might just be the solution you are looking for.
Have You Or Someone You Love Been Tongue-Tied?
You’ve probably heard of the term “tongue-tied”. Did you know that this common phrase comes from an actual medical condition that can inhibit speech?
The tongue is attached (or tied) to the base of the mouth by a thin tissue web called the lingual frenum. For some people, the frenum is unusually thick or tight, restricting tongue movement and speech. It can also negatively affect nursing in infants.
What is Frenulum Release?
Frenulum release, also called frenotomy, is a surgical treatment that allows the tongue to move more freely by releasing the frenum. It is a quick in-office oral surgery using scissors or lasers and does not require anesthesia.
Frenulum release is usually recommended for less than a month-old babies who are showing signs of breastfeeding issues. You can consult with a pediatrician to help you determine if your infant requires a frenulum release. Dr. Preston may also advise adults to undergo the procedure if the frenulum restricts the tongue’s movement, causing breathing, speaking, and swallowing problems.
How VP Dental can help: A Frenectomy Remedies Tongue-Tie
When someone is tongue-tied, Dr. Preston may recommend cutting back the frenum a bit. This is a common and simple procedure that can be done right here in our practice.
Tongue-Tie Can Affect:
- Feeding difficulties and dental development (especially in children).
- Speech difficulties, especially for sounds that require tongue elevation, such as: “s, z, t, d, l, r.”
- Saliva management during speech and or eating.
- Frenum scrapes against the lower teeth and, at times, becomes pinched.
- Some children demonstrate an increase in lateral or forward mandibular movement in an attempt to compensate for the lack of tongue movement.
- The inability to sweep the lips, which is common while eating an ice cream cone or in licking your lips.
Whether you’re an adult who wants to un-tie your tongue or a lingual frenectomy has been recommended for your child, Dr. Preston would like to give you an idea of what to expect from this procedure. It may sound intimidating, but it’s actually very simple. The frenum doesn’t have nerves or muscles. It’s simply a connective tissue like an earlobe. The procedure usually takes under 10 minutes, and most patients feel fully recovered within the hour.
Improve Oral Function and Comfort
VP Dental offers frenulum release in Raleigh, NC, for better oral function and comfort for adults and babies alike. Dr. Preston would like you to know that a frenulum release is nothing to be nervous about. Let us know if you think tongue-tie surgery may help you or a family member!
Do you wish you had a bright, healthy smile? Visit VP Dental in Raleigh, North Carolina, to make that dream a reality. Call us at (919) 518-0540 today to learn more about how our experienced dental team and high-quality dental services can improve your smile and oral health!