Bell Hill Dental provides personalised dentistry for patients of all ages. Among the many services we offer at our Dunedin dental clinic is laser dentistry. With laser dentistry, we can perform various procedures more efficiently and comfortably, including soft-tissue surgery like tongue-tie release. If your child has tongue-tie, we invite you to book an exam with Dr Ally to determine the best treatment for their needs.
What Is Tongue-Tie?
The tongue connects to the mouth’s floor with a web of tissue called the lingual frenulum. Tongue-tie, or ankyloglossia, is a variation of the frenulum’s structure, which can restrict tongue movement. Tongue-tie is generally seen in infants and children.
Common Signs of a Tongue-Tie in Children
Infants and children may have tongue-tie if they have difficulty with the following:
- Breastfeeding
- Lifting their tongue
- Sticking out their tongue
- Moving their tongue from side to side
- Sweeping food debris from their teeth
- Licking their lips
Tongue-tie can be frustrating and affect a child’s ability to eat and speak. Fortunately, Bell Hill Dental has options for treatment!
What Is Tongue-Tie Release Surgery?
Tongue-tie release surgery may be necessary if your child’s tongue-tie interferes with their feeding, oral hygiene or speech. Your child’s dentist may also recommend treatment if your child’s tongue tie causes discomfort. At Bell Hill Dental, Dr Ally is an expert in tongue-tie laser surgery in Dunedin.
There are two types of tongue-tie surgical treatments:
- Frenotomy – A soft-tissue surgery that releases the frenulum so the tongue can move freely.
- Frenuloplasty – Frenuloplasty involves plastic surgery to correct the frenulum in more complex cases. The recovery process may also include tongue exercises and speech therapy.
How Laser Dentistry Helps with Tongue-Tie
Dr Ally uses laser dentistry with tongue-tie surgery to reshape the frenulum, freeing the tongue from being tethered to the floor of your child’s mouth. The dental laser reduces bleeding, pain and recovery time, and the procedure only takes one to two minutes!
Before the procedure, we ensure your child is comfortable and at ease. We even offer sedation to help your little one feel more relaxed, plus sedation helps keep your child still during the procedure. For additional comfort, we invite parents to bring their child’s favourite toy or stuffed animal to hold on to during their appointment with us. At Bell Hill Dental, we aim to ensure our young patients and their loved ones feel safe and stress-free in our care.
Benefits of Tongue-Tie Laser Surgery
Tongue-tie can hinder your child’s ability to effectively move their tongue, thus interfering with breathing, sleep and other daily activities.
Tongue-tie laser surgery can benefit children in numerous ways, such as:
- Improved breathing
- Clearer speech, specifically with sounds like “T”, “D”, “Z”, “S”, “Th”, “R” and “L”
- Improved eating and swallowing of food
- Improved oral health
- Improved sleep
Tongue-Tie Laser Surgery in Dunedin
Dr Ally and our compassionate team will give you detailed instructions on post-operative care. This may include gentle tongue exercises to ensure the frenulum doesn’t reattach. Our children’s dentist in Dunedin is always available to answer your questions or address your concerns regarding tongue tie release.
We invite you to contact our dental clinic in Dunedin to schedule your child’s next exam.
