Gentle Laser Frenectomies for Kids in Decatur IL
Does your young child have trouble latching on while nursing? Does an older child have a large gap between their front teeth or are they having difficulty pronouncing certain words? You might be seeing the effects of a frenulum that is too thick or tight.
What Is a Frenulum?
A frenulum is a piece of skin that connects two parts of the body so that they do not separate completely. In the mouth, you have a few different frenula, including:
- Lingual Frenulum: The lingual frenulum is located under your child’s tongue.
- Labial Superior Frenulum (upper): The labial superior frenulum is located in the top of your child’s mouth in the center, under their lip, and is attached to their gums.
- Labial Inferior Frenulum (lower): The labial inferior frenulum attaches the inside of your child’s lower lip to their gums.
What Is a Frenectomy?
In some cases, a frenulum is too tight or thick to allow a child to properly use their mouth. For instance, some children are born with a lingual frenulum that is so thick and tight that it prevents them from being able to lift their tongue. This condition is often referred to as “tongue-tied,” and it can seriously impact the child, making it so they can’t properly nurse or drink from a bottle. When the labial frenula are too big, they can create spacing issues in the teeth and affect speech development.
Without proper treatment, the frenulum can interfere with your child’s development and the way that their lips and tongue develop. It is important that they are seen as early as possible in order to minimize the amount of treatment needed. A frenectomy is a procedure that is done to reduce your child’s frenulum so that they can have proper mobility of their lips and tongue.
What is the Procedure for a Laser Frenectomy in Decatur, IL?
At Jerger Pediatric Dentistry, frenectomies are done using a special laser. The actual procedure is quick – the laser is used to remove the frenulum tissue and then the area is sutured.
Dr. Bret and our entire staff have extensive training and many years of experience with frenectomies so the procedure is streamlined. Our specialized laser cuts down both the time needed for the procedure and the healing time for your child.
Why Laser at Jerger Pediatric Dentistry?
Some dental offices and hospitals simply clip the frenulum. While effective, this technique takes longer to heal and can be more traumatizing to your child. Laser frenectomies are safer and less invasive than the traditional clipping method. Using a laser allows us to be more precise and lowers the risk of infection and unnecessary discomfort.
Call Today to Make an Appointment with Our Dentist Office
If you have any questions about laser frenectomies or you would like to schedule an appointment for your child at our Decatur, IL pediatric dental office, please give us a call at (217) 875-3080. We look forward to hearing from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
A frenectomy is a procedure that pediatric dentists perform to release a tight frenulum that inhibits the proper mobility of a child’s lips and tongue.
The frenulum is a soft piece of tissue located in your child’s mouth. There are several frenula; a lingual frenulum secures the tongue to the bottom of the mouth; labial frenula attach the lips to the upper and lower gums.
Why Your Child Needs a Frenectomy
If the lingual frenulum is too thick or tight, it can prevent your child from using their mouth properly. Because they can’t lift their tongue, our dentist in Decatur, IL refers to this condition as “tongue-tie.”
A tight lingual frenulum needs to be corrected because it can cause difficulty in your child latching on during nursing or drinking from a bottle.
A labial frenulum that is too big can affect how their lips and tongue develop, impact their speech development, and create spacing issues in the teeth.
We Offer Comfortable Laser Frenectomies
At Jerger Pediatric Dentistry, our dentist performs frenectomies with a special laser. Our dental team has extensive training with this procedure and have streamlined it to minimize the length of the procedure and healing time for your child.
If your child needs a frenectomy, we should perform the procedure sooner rather than later to minimize the amount of treatment required.
Schedule a Visit at Our Decatur, IL Office to Learn More
If your concerned that your child might need a laser frenectomy, call our Decatur, IL dental office to schedule an appointment.
It can become very frustrating when your baby isn't able to nurse or finish their meals from their bottle, and you need a solution fast!
A lingual frenulum (the piece of skin found under the tongue) that is too tight or thick can keep your baby from being able to nurse or drink from a bottle properly. We refer to this condition as "tongue-tied," and it can be detrimental to their health and development.
How Does a Laser Frenectomy Work?
Decatur pediatric dentist, Dr. Bret Jerger, uses a dental laser to help reduce the frenulum so your child can move their tongue freely and can more easily get the nourishment they need for healthy development. Using the dental laser makes the procedure more comfortable and streamlined for children as it is quicker, causes less discomfort, and offers an easier healing process than surgery.
If your child is having difficulty latching on when they nurse, they might benefit from a laser frenectomy Mt. Zion, IL. Dr. Jerger would be happy to perform an examination and discuss your concerns with you to determine if this procedure might help your son or daughter.
Contact Jerger Pediatric Dentistry
Contact Jerger Pediatric Dentistry today to schedule an appointment or to speak with your Decatur, IL dentist.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Bret Jerger
I am a lifelong resident of Decatur, IL, and am committed to the health of children in my community. After completing my residency at Riley Children's Hospital, I began working with my father, who established Jerger Pediatric Dentistry in 1966. I have been practicing pediatric dentistry in Decatur since 1995. Together, we have provided care to Central Illinois for over 50 years.
I enjoy helping to create beautiful smiles for our young patients while getting to know them and watching them grow up. My biggest goal is to create a safe, ...
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