Babies with excessive frenum won’t be able to open their mouths as easily as normal, and thus might experience some difficulties when crying or breastfeeding. For example, infants may not be able to latch on properly due to the tightness of their upper lip preventing the lip mobility that is required to form a suction at the nipple. In this case, your child may benefit from a frenectomy.
What is a Frenectomy?
A frenectomy removes excessive connective tissue in the mouth. These tissues, called the frenum, can cause problems when over-pronounced on the tongue or upper lip.
Frenectomies are quick outpatient procedures that free the restricted structures in the mouth. Babies are swaddled and kept comfortable throughout the procedure. A dentist, pediatrician, or pediatric surgeon performs this treatment using sterile scissors.
Many mothers feel frustration when their infant is having difficulty latching. They may regret the missed opportunity to bond with their child. After a frenectomy, a baby’s mouth is unrestricted and can latch onto the nipple easier. Their smiles are free to develop normally as they approach childhood.
Identifying the Need
Babies with ankyloglossia, the medical term for tongue-tie, may exhibit the following symptoms:
- A heart-shaped tongue, with a dent in the middle where the frenum prevents movement
- Inability to latch on for efficient breastfeeding
- Weight loss or failure to gain weight
In some cases, the baby’s inability to fully empty the breast can cause a breast infection. This is known as mastitis and can be very discouraging for mothers. A round of antibiotics and time will cure this condition, with formula offering an effective alternative during the healing time.
Professional Guidance
The symptoms above do not necessarily indicate tongue-tie. Although the power of a mother’s intuition is great, only a medical professional can determine a baby’s candidacy for frenectomy.
To check for signs of excessive frenum, the dentist will gently manipulate the baby’s mouth. Infants with excessive frenum share similar characteristics. Primarily, your child will have a small fold of tissue that prevents movement of the tongue, upper lip, or both. This tissue may run along the full length of the tongue, or from the inner upper lip to the middle of the gums.
Most often, excessive frenum complicates breastfeeding and nothing more. Other times, excessive frenum can be problematic throughout childhood, causing malocclusion (crooked teeth) or speech problems. In the rare instance of exorbitantly over-pronounced frenum, your dentist will encourage frenectomy to prevent these issues later in life.
Frenectomies in Cranston, Rhode Island
If you suspect your child may be tongue-tied, reach out to Dr. Athanasios Zavras for a frenectomy consultation. At Cranston Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Zavras performs laser-assisted frenectomies and other pediatric dental services. Contact us today for more information and to schedule a consultation.