What Is a Laser Frenectomy? A Parent’s Guide to Tongue and Lip Ties

Babies are sometimes born with lip or tongue ties, which can affect their feeding, speech, and even growth. Dr. North and her team at Bitty Bites Pediatric Dentistry may recommend a laser frenectomy to gently release your little one’s tongue or lip tie, with minimal discomfort, bleeding, or risk of complications. Our goal is to help your child thrive. Contact our Richmond practice to get started today!

What Are Tongue or Lip Ties?

At birth, everyone has a small fold of tissue called a frenum that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth and the lips to the gums. In some infants, this tissue is too short, thick, or tight, a condition known as ankyloglossia (tongue tie) or a labial tie (lip tie). The term used commonly for these ties is “tethered oral tissues” or “TOTs.” This is more than simply a cosmetic concern. It can significantly interfere with your child’s feeding, growth, and development.

What Are Signs of Tongue or Lip Ties in Infants?

Here are some warning signs that your little one may have a tongue or lip tie:

• Feeding Difficulties: You may notice your baby struggling to latch or making a clicking sound during nursing, which can lead to poor weight gain.
• Maternal Discomfort: If breastfeeding is causing you significant pain or visible nipple damage, it is usually a sign that the latch isn’t quite right.
• Speech Challenges: As kids get older, a tight tie can make it hard to pronounce certain sounds (like l, r, t, d, n, z), which can interfere with speech development.
• Gapped Teeth: A thick lip tie can pull on the gums, creating a large gap between the front teeth.
• Poor Oral Hygiene: A lip tie can trap food and make it harder to brush effectively, increasing the risk of early cavities.
• Sleep and Breathing Issues: You may hear your baby snoring or breathing heavily through the mouth during sleep because of a tongue tie preventing the tongue from resting against the roof of the mouth, which is necessary for proper breathing.
• Digestive Discomfort: Babies with a poor latch often swallow air while feeding, leading to excessive gas or “colic-like” fussiness.
• “Lip Callus” or Blister: A persistent blister or thick skin in the center of your baby’s top lip may be a sign of a lip tie.

What Is a Laser Frenectomy?

A frenectomy is a procedure designed to release a tongue or lip tie, enhancing a child’s health and quality of life. At Bitty Bites Pediatric Dentistry, we use the DEKA CO2 soft-tissue laser as a gentler alternative to traditional surgical tools, minimizing discomfort and bleeding, reducing the risk of infection, and ensuring faster healing and recovery.

Why Choose Bitty Bites Pediatric Dentistry for Your Child’s Laser Frenectomy Needs?

Choosing the right provider for your child’s care matters, especially when feeding, comfort, and development are involved. At Bitty Bites Pediatric Dentistry, we focus on treating the whole child, ensuring your little one’s comfort and well-being at every step.

The following are some of the reasons parents in the Richmond area choose Bitty Bites Pediatric Dentistry for their children’s frenectomy needs:

• We treat tongue, lip, and buccal ties, including mid-tongue restrictions, which are all forms of tethered oral tissues (TOTs).
• Dr. North has completed advanced training in tethered oral tissues and is affiliated with organizations like A Brighter Birth Collective and The Breathe Institute.
• We collaborate closely with Katie Skaggs and Kelsey Carroll, IBCLCs trained in craniosacral fascial therapy, to support your baby before and after treatment.
• Our integrated care model helps prepare tissues before the release and supports better function during recovery.
• We use the FAirEST 6 assessment during recall visits to screen for sleep-disordered breathing and airway concerns.
• We are often able to schedule referred patients within the same week, helping families move forward without long delays

What Can You Expect During an Infant Frenectomy?

We aim to make the process clear and manageable from the very first step. We schedule most referred patients within the same week, and our team will walk you through everything ahead of your visit, including insurance and pricing.

At your appointment, you will meet with Dr. North in one of our infant comfort rooms for a full evaluation of your little one’s oral function. If a release is recommended and you choose to proceed, your baby will first receive craniosacral fascial therapy to help prepare the tissues before the laser frenectomy.

The laser release itself is quick and precise, typically taking only seconds per area. Afterward, we review stretches, feeding, and aftercare with you, and we coordinate follow-up care to support healing and continued progress.

Laser Frenectomies Near Me in Richmond, VA

If you see symptoms of a tongue or lip tie, contact Bitty Bites Pediatric Dentistry to schedule a consultation. Dr. North may recommend a laser frenectomy to improve oral function and support your baby’s development. We invite you to call or text us at 804-215-8600 to schedule your child’s appointment or request one by following this link today!