Frenectomy in Valley Village, CA

What is a tongue-tie?

Tongue-tie, or ankyloglossia, is a condition in which the lingual frenum — the band of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth — is too tight, too short, or attached too far forward. This restricts the range of motion of the tongue, making it difficult to lift the tongue tip, extend the tongue beyond the lips, or move the tongue freely from side to side. It can affect breastfeeding, speech, swallowing, and oral hygiene.

How do I know if my baby has a lip-tie or tongue-tie?

Common signs in nursing infants include: difficulty latching or staying latched, clicking sounds during feeding, frequent unlatching and relatching, slow weight gain, excessive gas or colic, and nipple pain or damage in the mother. A tongue-tie may also be visible when the baby cries — you may notice the tongue looks heart-shaped at the tip, or it can't extend past the lower gum. A frenectomy evaluation includes a careful clinical assessment of both the frenum and the functional feeding picture.

Does a frenectomy hurt?

For infants, the procedure is typically performed with topical anesthetic only — the frenum tissue has very few nerve endings and the procedure is brief. Most babies calm within seconds of feeding. For children and adults, we use local anesthesia to fully numb the area before the procedure begins. Post-operative discomfort is usually mild and managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and the stretching exercises we provide to support healing.

How long is the recovery after a frenectomy?

Recovery is typically fast — most patients feel comfortable within two to four days. For infants, feeding may improve immediately after the procedure. We'll send you home with aftercare instructions and a set of stretching exercises to perform in the weeks following the procedure; this is important to prevent reattachment of the frenum tissue and to encourage full range of motion to develop. We'll schedule a follow-up visit to check healing.

At what age can a child get a frenectomy?

A frenectomy can be performed at any age — including in newborns when breastfeeding difficulties are present. There is no minimum age. For children with speech concerns, some providers recommend waiting until after a period of speech therapy to see how much improvement is achieved without intervention; others prefer to release the tie early and then proceed with therapy. We work collaboratively with your lactation consultant, pediatrician, or speech therapist to determine the best timing for your child's situation.