FRENECTOMIES
in Richmond, VA
FRENECTOMIES
in Richmond, VA
If your baby is struggling to latch, feed, or gain weight, these may be signs of a tongue, lip, or buccal tie. At Bitty Bites Pediatric Dentistry, we offer laser frenectomies in Richmond, VA to improve the range of motion, restoring normal function and helping your child thrive.
Our laser offers a more gentle and effective alternative to traditional surgical tools, enhancing your child's care and comfort.
Dr. North, our board-certified pediatric dentist, has completed specialized training in tethered oral tissues (TOTs), is a member of A Brighter Birth Collective, and is an affiliate of The Breathe Institute. With her experience, skill, and expertise, you can trust that your little one is in excellent hands. At Bitty Bites Pediatric Dentistry, we are all about supporting your baby's oral function right from the start!
What Are Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs)?
Tethered oral tissues, commonly referred to as TOTs, are used to describe tongue ties, lip ties, and buccal ties. These occur when the small bands of tissue connecting the tongue, lip, or cheeks to the mouth are too short, too thick, or improperly positioned, restricting normal movement. Tongue ties are often referred to as ankyloglossia, while mid-tongue restrictions are sometimes called posterior ties.
TOTs can interfere with a baby's ability to latch and breastfeed effectively, leading to painful nursing for mothers, poor weight gain for infants, gassiness, clicking or smacking sounds during feeding, and exhaustion during feedings. Additional signs of TOTs include reflux or spitting up, difficulty holding a pacifier, sleeping with the mouth open, and blistering on the lips.
Beyond infancy, tethered oral tissues can contribute to speech difficulties, dental crowding, sleep-disordered breathing, and airway concerns as children grow. At Bitty Bites Pediatric Dentistry, we treat tongue ties, lip ties, and buccal ties, including mid-tongue restrictions, helping provide lasting relief.
Why Choose Laser Frenectomy Over Traditional Methods?
A frenectomy is a corrective procedure designed to release a frenum that interferes with the normal alignment of a child's teeth, speech, or movement of the tongue, lips, or cheeks. At Bitty Bites Pediatric Dentistry, we use the DEKA CO2 soft tissue laser to perform these releases. Laser frenectomies offer significant advantages over traditional surgical methods, including minimal bleeding, reduced risk of infection, faster healing, and greater precision.
Our advanced laser allows for a precise release in minimal time, approximately 10 to 20 seconds per area, while also decreasing post-surgical pain, swelling, and bleeding. Because the CO2 laser eliminates bacteria as it works, it greatly reduces the chance of post-surgical infection. Laser frenectomies cause less trauma to the surrounding tissue, making it an excellent choice for even the tiniest patients.
Our Collaborative Care Model
At Bitty Bites Pediatric Dentistry, we collaborate with Katie Skaggs and Kelsey Carroll, both International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) who are also certified in craniosacral fascial therapy (CFT). Craniosacral Fascial Therapy (CFT) is based on the theory that craniosacral and fascial systems are not separate, but one interconnected system. CFT blends two established modalities of Cranial Sacral Therapy and Myofascial Release Therapy along with dental intervention. This can allow for more mobile tissues prior to laser treatment, resulting in a deeper and more effective release.
Our integrated care model means your infant receives craniosacral fascial therapy both before and after the laser frenectomy, right here in our office. The goal is to prepare and relax the oral and facial tissues, which supports better outcomes and a smoother recovery.
At Bitty Bites Pediatric Dentistry, we strongly believe in a multidisciplinary approach to treating TOTs and aim to have a team in place before any interventions. Your team may include lactation consultants (IBCLCs), speech and language pathology, occupational therapy, pediatrics, ENT, chiropractors, craniosacral fascial therapists, and GI specialists. We are happy to assist in establishing this team for patients in need of resources.
Please note: Infants referred by lactation consultants will receive in-office care with Katie or Kelsey during their visit, but follow-up care is provided by the referring provider. We ask that families schedule a follow-up with their referring provider within two to five days of treatment to continue working on oral function.
Care for Older Children
For our older patients, we work closely with their care team to ensure a functional outcome. Your child will need a care provider before we can perform the lip, tongue, or buccal release. Speech therapy, occupational therapy, or oral myofunctional therapy is required to gain the full benefit of tethered oral tissue release. These specialties can help increase tongue and oral tone and function once the release provides the tissues with a full range of motion.
Referrals for these specialties can be provided as needed before your consultation. If a care team is not established before your visit, we will only perform a consultation and will guide you to which care provider can best help alleviate the symptoms your child is experiencing with the appropriate referral. Once your child's care team is established, we can schedule the tethered oral tissue release. Nitrous oxide can be used for our older patients to help alleviate any anxiety during the procedure. Dr. North will also place sutures as needed for our older patients to ensure primary closure of the release area.
What Can You Expect During an Infant's Dental Visit?
Post-Operative Care and Recovery
Proper aftercare is essential to a successful outcome. The lasered areas naturally tend to heal back to their original attachment if left alone, which is why you will need to perform stretching exercises for 4 weeks after the procedure. Our team will review all stretching techniques with you at your appointment and ensure you feel confident before you leave.
Healing can take anywhere from 48 hours to one week. During the first few days, your little one may feel sore and be fussier than usual. A white healing patch will soon form on the oral tissue. Infant acetaminophen, infant ibuprofen (for babies six months and older), sugar water, Arnica Montana 30C pellets, and frozen breast milk chips can help provide relief. Our team will provide dosing guidance and comfort strategies at your appointment.
Other normal post-operative findings include some bleeding after completing stretches, difficulty with latch during the first week, increased spitting up, drooling, sleepiness, and some swelling of the lip or cheeks.
Follow-Up After Treatment
About a week after the procedure, we ask that you send us photos of the treatment area so we can check on healing. You'll come in for a follow-up appointment at the two-week mark to evaluate your child's healing. If you need any help or guidance after hours, texts to our office number go directly to Dr. North's cell phone.
Please contact us right away if your baby develops a temperature greater than 100.4 degrees F, experiences uncontrollable bleeding, or refuses to feed by bottle or breast for more than eight hours.
Scheduling Your Child's Appointment and Financial Information
We can schedule referred patients within the same week of their call. When you call or text us at (804) 215-8600, our front desk coordinator Diana will walk you through the process and pricing. You are welcome to text a photo of your dental insurance card to the same number, and our insurance coordinator Liz will verify your benefits. Please note that we do not bill medical insurance, though we are happy to provide codes so you can submit a claim yourself. We do not accept Tricare at this time.
If you are paying out of pocket, the all-inclusive fee of $749 covers the consultation, craniosacral fascial therapy with Katie or Kelsey, any releases performed, and a two-week post-operative follow-up visit, provided all services are completed the same day.
Much of our team here at Bitty Bites Pediatric Dentistry is bilingual in Spanish, and we are happy to serve families who prefer a Spanish-speaking provider.
Scheduling Your Child's Appointment and
Financial Information
We can schedule referred patients within the same week of their call. When you call or text us at (804) 215-8600, our front desk coordinator Diana will walk you through the process and pricing. You are welcome to text a photo of your dental insurance card to the same number, and our insurance coordinator Liz will verify your benefits. Please note that we do not bill medical insurance, though we are happy to provide codes so you can submit a claim yourself. We do not accept Tricare at this time.
If you are paying out of pocket, the all-inclusive fee of $749 covers the consultation, craniosacral fascial therapy with Katie or Kelsey, any releases performed, and a two-week post-operative follow-up visit, provided all services are completed the same day.
Much of our team here at Bitty Bites Pediatric Dentistry is bilingual in Spanish, and we are happy to serve families who prefer a Spanish-speaking provider.
Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Frenectomies
Laser Frenectomies Near Me in Richmond, VA
At Bitty Bites Pediatric Dentistry, we offer laser frenectomies in Richmond, VA to help our young patients thrive. Dr. North and her collaborative team are here to deliver personalized, compassionate dental care tailored to your child's unique needs. We strive to provide your little one with care that exceeds your expectations.
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!