Laser Frenectomies in Gaithersburg, MD

At Dream Smiles Pediatric Dentistry of Gaithersburg we provide laser frenectomies in Gaithersburg, MD to patients with lip and tongue ties from infancy to adulthood. To learn more or schedule a consultation, call us at 301-327-1003.

Laser frenectomy is a simple procedure performed to release the restriction of the "frenum", the connective tissue attaching tongue to the floor of the mouth (tongue tie) and lip to the gum tissue (lip tie). This restriction does not allow normal movement of the tongue and lip and affects about 20% of the population causing a variety of issues listed below:

Common symptoms of tongue tie and lip tie in infants are:

• Poor weight gain
• Poor latch
• Reflux or frequent spitting up
• Frequent gassiness or fussiness
• Clicking or smacking noises when eating
• Frustration when eating
• Inability to hold a pacifier
• Prolonged nursing or bottle feeding sessions
• Painful nursing
• Decreased milk supply
• Flattened and/or blistered nipples
• Incomplete breast drainage
• Plugged ducts or mastitis
• Inability to nurse without a nipple shield

If you or your infant have more than a few of the above symptoms, even with good weight gain, your child should be evaluated for tongue tie and lip tie.

Common symptoms of tongue tie and lip tie in toddlers and older children are speech, feeding and sleep issues as well as airway problems. These problems can appear as struggling with speech or articulation that are not resolving, being a slow or a picky eater, sleeping with an open mouth, grinding teeth or snoring at night, having restless nights waking up tired or hyperactive in the mornings, strong gag reflex.

If you have difficulty brushing your child's top front teeth or child is unable to touch the roof of the mouth with his or her tongue when opening mouth widely or has a few of the above symptoms, you should call our office to have your child evaluated for tongue tie or lip tie.