Infant Frenectomy

What is a Frenectomy

A frenectomy is a medical procedure to release the tight band of tissue (the tongue and/or lip tie) that is interfering with breastfeeding. This may be done with scissors or a special type of ablating laser.

Before Frenectomy

Immediately After Frenectomy

What is a Tongue or Lip Tie?

A tongue-tie, also known as ankyloglossia, occurs when the lingual frenum (a band of tissue that connects the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth) is too tight, causing restricted tongue movement.

A lip tie is identified if the labial frenum (the band of tissue that connects the upper lip to the gums) is too tight, causing the upper lip to inappropriately curl under during breastfeeding.

How does a Tongue-Tie Affect Breastfeeding?

A baby uses his or her tongue to create a vacuum pressure while breastfeeding. The baby presses the nipple against the roof of the mouth, and extracts milk with a wave-like motion.

A tongue-tie restricts this movement, and does not allow consistent suction to be generated. This results in a painful latch and inadequate milk removal.

How Does a Lip-Tie Affect Breastfeeding?

While nursing, an infant must be able to keep the upper lip in a neutral or flared position to generate a consistent vacuum. A lip-tie is less likely to cause difficulty with nursing, but a thorough evaluation is needed to determine if its presence is causing symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms of a Tongue or Lip-Tie in an Infant

What to Expect During Your Visit

Dr. Walkey will perform a full assessment of both mother and infant. It takes two to breastfeed! In addition to examining your baby’s tongue and mouth, Dr. Walkey will observe a breastfeeding session to determine if a frenectomy will help alleviate your breastfeeding difficulty.

A tongue-tie may not be obvious on initial examination! The functionality of the tongue is more important than the appearance. This is why symptomatic tongue-ties can be missed by other providers who are not trained in breastfeeding and lactation medicine.

How Does Dr. Walkey Perform Frenectomies?

Dr. Walkey uses a LightScalpel CO2 laser for lip and tongue-tie releases.

Why Choose a Laser Frenectomy?

A CO2 laser is the preferred modality for infant lip and tongue tie release. The laser’s focused beam allows for highly accurate removal of the tie with minimal damage to surrounding areas. This translates to minimal or no bleeding, reduced pain during and after the procedure, and a rapid recovery time.

What to Expect During Your Visit

If a frenectomy is performed, Dr. Walkey will show you special stretching exercises that you will complete several times daily at home throughout the healing process.

You will follow up with Dr. Walkey 1 week after the procedure.