Dentists know all about maxillofacial issues, including tongue and lip ties. Many dentists can identify and treat these issues right in their dental office, including your dentist in Evansville, IN.
This blog explores how the dentist identifies and treats tongue and lip ties and how treatment benefits the patient, specifically children.
What Is a Lip or Tongue Tie?
The abnormalities can disrupt development and feeding, so if you suspect issues, it’s best to have your child assessed.
Lip Tie (frenulum): Everyone has a bit of tissue between the upper lip and upper gum. When this tissue is too tight or short, feeding, speaking, and other mouth-related tasks are difficult.
Tongue Tie (ankyloglossia): There is a natural line of tissue beneath the tongue. However, it can be too short or too tight, making feeding, speaking, and other mouth-related tasks challenging.
How the Dentist Repairs Lip and Tongue Ties in Evansville, IN
Some dentists perform scalpel surgery to repair lip and tongue ties, but our dentist takes a much gentler approach. We use laser dentistry to gently but efficiently correct the tie by eliminating tight or short bits of tissue.
Lasers are far gentler than invasive scalpels. They preserve more of the natural tissues, promote a faster recovery, and usually cause minimal or no bleeding.
Our Dentist in Evansville, IN, will evaluate your child to ensure these issues are not present. Signs to look for at home include:
- Difficulty moving or lifting the tongue
- Fussy feeding times or inability to latch
- Weight loss or poor weight gain
- Clicking noise in the mouth when trying to feed
If you notice these symptoms, we encourage you to book an evaluation with the dentist.
