An infant frenectomy is a minor surgical procedure that removes a band of tissue that is too restrictive. In order for the infant to experience proper growth and development, the tissue bands located both on the bottom of the lips and underneath the tongue can’t be too tight or too thick. Infants need their lips and tongue to have a range of motion in order to eat properly. It is important to address restrictive frenums early to avoid chronic issues that can affect their everyday lives.
As you feed your baby, you may notice that your baby is not latching as well as they should. Other signs that their frenum is not allowing healthy movement, your baby may get tired quickly, have trouble with the breast or bottle, hear jawclicking, or your baby may not be gaining weight despite frequent breast or bottle feeds. These issues or a combination of them may indicate that the tongue or lips do not move freely enough to achieve a good seal or a good rhythm.
If you notice any of those signs, you can talk to their doctor or dentist who has had proper training in infant oral exams. The professional will be able to determine if a frenectomy is the best option for your baby. They will review the movement of the tongue and lip, the appearance, and the position of the frenum while reviewing the feeding pattern. If the baby’s frenum restricts needed functions, the dentist may recommend a frenectomy to help the baby.
The actual frenectomy procedure is relatively quick and is completed during an appointment at the office. The dentist will take measures to keep your baby as comfortable as possible. They will use a surgical tool or a laser to carefully remove tissue. In most cases, people describe the procedure as precise and minimally intrusive. In total, the whole surgery requires only minutes from start to finish.
Immediately following the frenectomy, the baby may fuss from sensitivity, and you may notice some swelling in the area of the tissue removal. The dentist will be able to suggest steps to take to keep the baby comfortable; these include feeding techniques or even pain-relieving treatments. As the area heals and to ensure better movement, dentists may prescribe gentle stretching exercises. These can prevent the tissue from reattaching to itself.
As a result of the surgery, parents see infants latch more effectively over time, and the infants can feed for longer periods. The baby will be able to eat with less tension because their tongue and lip can move better. As the baby grows older, their improvement will lead to speaking more articulately and clearly.
If you have seen some of these symptoms and shared them with your baby’s healthcare team, an infant frenectomy may be the best treatment to improve functionality during a critical period of their development. With case-by-case analysis and careful follow-up care, the infant frenectomy can be a gentle, proactive, and holistic approach to good long term oral and overall health.
If you have more questions about frenectomies or how a frenectomy could help you achieve better dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see if a frenectomy is the best option for you.