Frenectomy Surgery: Best Questions To Ask Your Pediatric Dentist

If your pediatric dentist has recommended a frenectomy surgery, such as lingual frenectomy surgery, for your child, you likely have a lot of questions about the procedure. As a parent, you want to ensure you fully understand this surgery so you can make the best decision for your child.

At Expedition Pediatric Dentistry in Bellevue, WA, we are experts in frenectomy surgery procedures and aim to provide clear answers to any questions you may have. Here are some of the key questions parents commonly ask about frenectomies and the answers to these questions.

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Can a Pediatric Dentist Perform a Frenectomy?

Yes, a pediatric dentist is qualified to perform frenectomy surgery. Pediatric dentists receive specialized training in children's oral health, including procedures like frenectomies for newborns, infants, and children.

At Expedition Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Miller has extensive pediatric oral anatomy expertise and focuses on treating young patients. Dr. Miller uses advanced laser technology to perform frenectomies with precision and care, providing a safe and comfortable experience for your child.

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What Age Is Best for Frenectomies?

The ideal age for a frenectomy surgery is during infancy, as soon as the lip tie or tongue tie is detected. It is best to have the procedure done as early as possible to prevent feeding, speech, and dental development issues. Most frenectomies are performed on newborns and babies under 1-year-old. Frenectomies can also benefit toddlers and older children experiencing speech impediments, tooth gaps, or other symptoms. However, the procedure tends to be simplest during infancy when the frenulum tissue is thinner and healing is quick.

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Can Kids Eat Before a Frenectomy Surgery?

It's recommended to avoid feeding your child within 3 hours of their scheduled frenectomy surgery. Having an empty stomach helps prevent nausea and vomiting during the procedure. After the frenectomy surgery, your child can resume eating. Breastfeeding usually can start right away. For bottle feeding, wait about an hour to allow the numbing medication to fully wear off. Soft foods are ideal for the first day.

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How Painful Is a Frenectomy Surgery for a Baby?

The procedure itself is not considered very painful with the numbing medication used. Some brief discomfort may be felt when the numbing gel is applied. Older children may feel tugging or pressure as the frenulum is released. After the numbing wears off over the next few hours, your child may experience mild soreness around the surgical site. Thankfully this is manageable with children's over-the-counter pain relievers.

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Are There Downsides to a Frenectomy Surgery?

There are a few downsides to frenectomy surgery. But it is a low-risk procedure with a quick recovery time when performed by a pediatric dentist. The benefits typically far outweigh any potential downsides.

Possible downsides may include:

Brief bleeding or soreness after the procedure
Potential need for stretching exercises to prevent reattachment
Small risk of infection or scarring
Added cost if not covered by dental insurance

Overall, most patients find the procedure to be well worth it for the long-term benefits!

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What Are the Risks Associated With a Frenectomy Surgery?

When performed correctly by a skilled pediatric dentist and oral surgeon, a frenectomy surgery has very minimal risks. Possible risks include:

Excessive bleeding - Uncommon due to use of lasers which cauterize tissue
Infection - Rare when proper aftercare instructions are followed
Tongue or nerve injury - Extremely rare with an experienced provider
Reattachment of the frenulum - Prevented by doing aftercare stretches

Proper laser use, sterile techniques, and pediatric expertise make complications very unlikely. Talk to your dentist and oral surgeon about their experience level to understand the risk profile.

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What Are the Most Common Complications?

The most common issues parents may notice after a frenectomy surgery include:

Slight bleeding for the first day
Irritation or soreness around the wound site
Increased salivation or drooling due to irritation
Difficulty breastfeeding if the baby is still learning proper latch

These are normal and typically resolve within a week as the surgical site heals. Notify your pediatric dentist if any severe swelling, bleeding, or other problems arise.

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How Can the Use of a Laser Reduce the Risk of Complications?

Lasers provide a safer, less invasive approach to frenectomy surgery compared to traditional scalpels. Benefits include:

Minimal bleeding due to cauterizing blood vessels
Lower infection risk due to disinfecting properties
No need for stitches which can irritate the wound
More precision resulting in less tissue damage
Reduced pain and faster recovery time

Lasers allow pediatric dentists to safely perform procedures on tiny infant mouths with great accuracy. This reduces many risks and improves the safety profile of the surgery.

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How Can a Frenectomy Surgery Help With Feeding, Speaking, and Eating Solid Foods?

Releasing tongue ties and lip ties allows for greater mobility and function of the tongue and lips. This can help in several ways:

Feeding: Improved ability to latch onto the breast or bottle nipple. The tongue can extend further and apply more pressure.
Speaking: Clearer pronunciations as the tongue moves freely to form sounds and words.
Eating solids: Increased ability to move food around the mouth for chewing and swallowing. The tongue can lift food off the utensil and teeth.

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How Can a Frenectomy Surgery Help With Mouth Breathing During Sleep?

A restricted tongue can force some children to breathe through their mouth as it blocks proper nasal breathing. By releasing the tongue tie, nasal airway passages open up allowing for fuller airflow through the nose.

This helps prevent the need for mouth breathing at night which protects from sleep apnea issues. It may also reduce snoring.

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What Pre-Operative Instructions Should I Follow?

Here are some tips to follow when preparing for your child’s procedure:

Avoid feeding your baby for 2 to 3 hours before the frenectomy surgery.
Dress your child in comfortable clothes that are easy to pull over the head.
Bring a couple of your child’s favorite toys or blankets to help soothe them.
Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure. Your child can sit in your lap during the car ride.
Give pain medication if needed once you get home, based on your dentist’s instructions.
Plan to take it easy the rest of the day to help your child heal.

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Is a Frenectomy Surgery Covered by My Dental Insurance?

Coverage for frenectomy surgery can vary between dental insurance plans. Many will cover the procedure, especially when medically necessary for a newborn or infant. However, some may classify it as an elective cosmetic surgery.

Check with your insurance provider to learn about your individual coverage details for frenectomy surgery procedures. Your pediatric dentist's billing team can also answer questions about the frenectomy surgery cost and coverage to provide estimated costs.

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Is a Frenectomy Surgery Necessary for All Children?

Not all children need to undergo this procedure. Your pediatric dentist will assess whether releasing the frenulum is recommended based on an oral exam and evaluation of symptoms.

Signs like impaired feeding, speech delays, or tooth gaping due to restricted tongue movement indicate a frenectomy surgery may be beneficial. Each child is unique, so personalized care is important.

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What Signs Indicate That My Child Might Need a Frenectomy Surgery?

Here are some symptoms that may point to a tethered lingual or labial frenulum needing release:

Difficulty breastfeeding or problems latching onto a bottle
Colic symptoms or excessive gassiness while feeding
Messy eating with food spilling out of the mouth
Delayed speech or certain sounds impossible to pronounce
Tooth gaps or misaligned bite as permanent teeth come in
Sleep issues like snoring or breathing through the mouth

If you notice any of these issues, consult your pediatric dentist about whether a frenectomy surgery could help. They will perform an oral exam to determine if restricted frenula are contributing to your child’s symptoms.

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Are You Ready to Learn More About Frenectomy Surgery in Bellevue? Call Us Now

At Expedition Pediatric Dentistry in Bellevue, WA, we specialize in frenuloplasty procedures and are here to answer all your questions. Contact us today to learn what sets us apart from other pediatric dental practices, or schedule a frenectomy surgery evaluation for your little one. With the right information and pediatric expertise, you can feel at ease making decisions about your child’s oral health.