Tongue Ties and Lip Ties:
Fast Answers, Gentle Treatment
A tongue tie or lip tie is a small band of tissue that restricts movement of the tongue or upper lip. In infants, it can interfere with breastfeeding, latching, and weight gain. In older children, it can affect speech, dental development, and oral hygiene. It is a common condition, and it is very treatable.
Wheeler Pediatric Dentistry treats tongue ties and lip ties in both infants and older children using the Solea laser. The procedure is called a frenectomy. It is fast, precise, and in most cases requires no traditional anesthetic. Dr. Jon has been performing frenectomies in The Woodlands for over 20 years.
What Is a Tongue Tie?
A tongue tie, clinically called ankyloglossia, occurs when the lingual frenum, the band of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth, is too short or too tight. This limits how far the tongue can move, which affects feeding in infants and speech and dental development in older children.
A lip tie occurs when the labial frenum, the tissue connecting the upper lip to the upper gum, is too tight. In infants, this can affect latching. In older children, it can create a gap between the upper front teeth and make proper brushing difficult.
Tongue and Lip Ties in Infants
The most common reason parents seek frenectomy for an infant is breastfeeding difficulty. Signs that a tongue or lip tie may be affecting a newborn or young infant include:
Age 1
First dental visit recommendation
Diagnosis is typically made by a lactation consultant, pediatrician, or during the first dental visit. Wheeler Pediatric Dentistry is equipped to assess and treat tongue and lip ties in infants. If your lactation consultant or pediatrician has identified a possible tie, bring your baby in and we will evaluate and discuss your options.
Wheeler Pediatric Dentistry
Welcoming the youngest patients in The Woodlands since 2004.
Tongue and Lip Ties in Older Children
In children past infancy, a tongue tie may present as a speech sound that is difficult to produce, a persistent gap between the upper front teeth, difficulty cleaning the back of the lower front teeth, or discomfort with tongue movement. A lip tie in an older child may cause gum recession above the upper front teeth or difficulty achieving a proper brushing angle.
Not every tongue or lip tie requires treatment. Dr. Jon evaluates each patient individually and discusses whether intervention is likely to make a meaningful difference for that specific child. We do not recommend procedures that are not necessary.
How Frenectomy Works at
Wheeler PD
Wheeler Pediatric Dentistry performs frenectomies using the Solea laser. Laser frenectomy offers several advantages over traditional surgical methods:
Precision
The laser is exact, affecting only the targeted tissue
Stitch Free
No stitches required in most cases
Minimal Bleeding
The laser seals as it works
Anesthesia
No traditional anesthetic injection in most infant cases
Healing
Faster healing than a traditional scalpel procedure
Questions parents ask us every day.
From Newborns to Older Kids. We Have You Covered.
If your lactation consultant, pediatrician, or speech therapist has mentioned a tongue or lip tie, call Wheeler Pediatric Dentistry at (281) 681-9880. Dr. Jon will assess your child, give you a clear recommendation, and if treatment is appropriate, can often take care of it the same day.