Infant Frenectomy in Houston, TX

As a parent, you want to ensure that your little one is growing and developing as they should. However, sometimes issues can arise that might go unnoticed, such as a lip or tongue tie. At Gloss Dentistry at Greenway, Dr. Tasneem Mahmood offers laser infant frenectomy treatment to improve oral functions.

What Is a Lip Tie?

A lip tie is a condition that occurs when there is excess tissue connecting a child’s upper lip to their gums. While it might not seem like a big deal, a lip tie can actually have a significant impact on a child’s growth and development.

For example, a lip tie could interfere with their ability to breastfeed, leading to issues with weight gain and nutrition. Additionally, it might affect a child’s speech and even their dental development down the line. As a parent, it’s essential to keep an eye out for these signs and talk to your pediatrician if you notice anything out of the ordinary. With early intervention, you can help your little one thrive and reach their full potential.

What Is a Tongue Tie?

A tongue tie, also known as ankyloglossia, is a condition that affects the movement of the tongue due to a short or tight frenulum. Although relatively common in infants, severe cases of tongue tie can interfere with a child’s growth and development.

For example, infants with tongue tie may have difficulty breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. As a child grows, tongue ties can also impact speech production, causing problems with articulation and pronunciation.

How Laser Frenectomies Work

Fortunately, with early detection and intervention, children with lip and tongue ties can receive treatment to improve their feeding and communication skills, enabling them to grow and thrive.

At Gloss Dentistry, we offer a state-of-the-art Waterlase laser for our painless frenectomy procedure. This innovative technology eliminates the need for drilling and shots in most cases, allowing us to perform many procedures without anesthesia. We specifically use the Waterlase laser for infant and child frenectomies, ensuring virtually painless experiences for your little ones.

Our laser frenectomy procedure is generally well-tolerated by infants and children, prioritizing their comfort throughout the process. Plus, Dr. Mahmood takes every precaution to minimize pain and stress during the procedure.

In our Upper Kirby dental office, general anesthesia is not used, as it is rarely necessary for performing the frenectomy; however:

• For babies under 12 months old, we apply a topical numbing cream to the treatment area, which works quickly to ensure minimal discomfort.
• For children who are 12 months or older, a numbing cream is also applied, and in some cases, an injected local anesthetic may be used to provide additional anesthesia.

Infant Frenectomy for Life-Long Wellness

As parents, we want to ensure our children are getting the best care possible, and scheduling an infant frenectomy can genuinely make a difference. For those who are considering scheduling an infant frenectomy in Houston, TX, connect with Dr. Mahmood at Gloss Dentistry by calling (713) 850-9699. You have the opportunity to support your baby’s growth and success right from the start, and a frenectomy can monumentally impact their life down the road.