Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment – Fair Oaks, CA
Creating Greater Oral Mobility for Patients
At RnR Dentistry, Dr. Rivera’s specialty extends beyond general dental care. She can also provide lip and tongue-tie treatment for infants, children, teenagers, and adults. When this banded tissue prevents adequate oral movement, it can inhibit your ability to eat, speak, and breathe, not to mention the problems it can cause for babies trying to nurse. With the help of a soft tissue laser, though, she and our team can perform a frenectomy and provide immediate results that include greater lip and tongue movement as well as a better quality of life. If you’re tired of your lip or tongue tie causing problems, call us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Rivera today.
Why Choose RnR Dentistry For Lip and Tongue-Tie Treatment?
- Dentist Provides Family-Oriented Dental Care
- Advanced Soft Tissue Laser Used for Improved Patient Comfort
- Dental Team Will Maximize Insurance Benefits
How Do Lip and Tongue-Ties Develop?
A lip or tongue-tie generally forms while a baby is still in the womb. These abnormally thick and restricted bands of tissue are known as the frenulum, existing behind the upper lip or underneath the tongue. In most cases, this “tie” stretches and allows for optimal mobility once a baby is born. However, for those who do not, the tissue can remain short, making it hard for the lip or tongue to move as it should.
Some of the most common symptoms a baby, child, or adult might experience if they have a lip or tongue-tie include:
- A baby’s inability to latch and nurse correctly
- A baby’s inability to keep a pacifier in its mouth
- Misaligned or crooked teeth
- Mouth breathing or other similar sleep issues
- Acid reflux or colic
- Gap that forms between the two upper front teeth
- Difficulty eating solid foods for older children and adults
Why Is It Important to Treat Lip & Tongue-Ties?
At RnR Dentistry, we don’t believe in just treating infants with lip or tongue-ties. Older adults can also experience problems if a restricted frenulum is not treated early on. Failing to seek professional assistance for this type of issue can cause many issues, such as:
- The inability to speak clearly, as a lisp might form
- You begin to grind or clench your teeth (bruxism)
- You struggle to breathe through your nose because your mouth remains open
- You lack appropriate head and neck posture
- You experience digestive problems, like acid reflux
Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment
Dr. Rivera’s method of treatment for lip and tongue-ties is what is known as a frenectomy. This safe and completely effective solution is highly recommended among experts in the field, and they believe it to be the only reliable way to enhance oral mobility.
Using a soft tissue laser instead of a traditional scalpel and sutures, we will release the tissue quickly so that you or your child’s lip or tongue will be free to move. Whether it’s up, down, left, right, out, or in, you will notice an immediate difference in their mobility.
By using a dental laser to complete the process, Dr. Rivera can be sure there is minimal bleeding and inflammation, and the chances of developing a post-treatment infection are unlikely because of how the laser sterilizes the tissue as it releases the frenulum.
Before you know it, you or your child will begin feeling more comfortable while also being able to use your mouth freely to eat, speak, breathe, and enjoy life.