Your Initial Evaluation

Your journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation. We’ll discuss your concerns, review relevant medical and feeding history, and assess the oral tissues and their function. We look beyond the appearance of a tongue-tie or lip-tie to understand how oral movement may be affecting everyday activities.

If a restriction appears to be contributing to functional concerns, we’ll discuss our findings, explain your options, and determine whether a release may be appropriate.

Preparing for Treatment

If a frenectomy is recommended, we’ll walk you through what to expect and answer your questions before proceeding. Preparation may vary depending on the patient’s age, the type of restriction, and individual needs.

For infants, we may also recommend collaboration with a lactation consultant or other healthcare professionals as part of a coordinated plan of care.

For children and adults, we may also recommend collaboration with an orofacial myofunctional therapist or other healthcare professionals

The Laser Frenectomy Procedure

When treatment is appropriate, we use laser technology to release the restrictive tissue. The procedure is typically brief, although the time required varies depending on the location and extent of the restriction and the individual patient.

We explain each step, prioritize patient comfort and safety, and tailor our approach to the patient's needs. Some discomfort may occur, and we will discuss appropriate comfort measures and what you can expect during recovery.

Recovery and Healing

Healing looks different for everyone. After the procedure, we’ll explain how to care for the treatment area, what healing changes to expect, and which symptoms should prompt you to contact our office.

Some soreness, swelling, or changes in the appearance of the treatment site may occur during healing. We’ll provide individualized aftercare instructions and guidance on follow-up so you know how to support recovery and when to reach out with questions.

Follow-Up and Functional Support

Releasing restrictive tissue is only one part of the process. Depending on your needs, follow-up care and collaboration with other professionals may help support progress toward improved oral function.

For children and adults, orofacial myofunctional therapy may be recommended before and/or after treatment to address oral muscle coordination, movement patterns, and functional habits. For infants with feeding concerns, collaboration with lactation consultants and other appropriate healthcare professionals may also be beneficial.

We’ll work with you to determine what follow-up support is appropriate for your situation and help you understand the next steps in your care.