Lip and Tongue-Tie Treatments in Fort Worth, TX
Infants can have difficulty feeding due to oral restrictions, often called lip-ties and tongue-ties. Common signs that can indicate a child has a lip or tongue-tie include issues with breastfeeding, excessive drooling, poor weight gain, and making clicking sounds while nursing. Fortunately, lip or tongue-tie releases, also called frenectomies, are short and relatively non-invasive procedures that can make it much easier for children to eat and speak. To learn more about our services or schedule your child’s next visit, please contact us!
Pre-Operative Assessment
In our office, we do a comprehensive assessment of our infant patients. First, we have parents fill out a questionnaire regarding symptoms they may be experiencing at home. We review that together, as well as pregnancy and birth history. Next, we have the parent lay the baby down so we can assess how their body moves and ensure that they are able to turn their head well to each side. We assess their suck pattern and determine if they have compensations or fatigue. Then, we lift the lip, cheeks, and tongue to look at the frenula and how they move.
We take pictures for the patient’s chart and review preoperative and postoperative stretches. Subsequently, Dr. Laborde will give her recommendation if the baby is a good candidate for a lip or tongue-tie release.
Physical Therapy
Sometimes, babies require physical therapy to release more global tension in the head, neck, and hips prior to the lip or tongue release. If a baby has global tension, it is very likely that they will still behave as though they are restricted, even if the frenectomy is done!
Pre-Operative Stretches
If the baby is a good candidate for the release, we strongly recommend pre-operative stretches for at least 24 hours prior to the intervention. This allows the baby to develop neural networking, or the “mind-body connection,” in response to the new function.
Frenectomy Procedure
The release is performed by Dr. Laborde with a CO2 laser. The baby is placed in a swaddle and held by a team member. We place topical anesthetic to numb the baby’s mouth prior to treatment, and everyone in the room wears laser safety goggles. The family can be in the room or outside if they prefer.
The procedure takes about 5-30 seconds per site. There is minimal to no bleeding. Babies typically cry throughout the procedure. We try to be expedient, respectful, and humane and return the baby to their parents as quickly as possible. After the procedure is complete, Dr. Laborde will show the family the wounds, and what stretches look like with the wounds.
Post-Operative Care
The family will get a post-op kit with everything they need for care and comfort. The family will get direct access to Dr. Laborde if needed for any post-op questions or concerns after hours.
The most important factor in post-operative care is that babies maintain hydration and pain is controlled. Dr. Laborde will review this in-depth with families at the time of the procedure and provide post-operative written care instructions.
Babies must be connected to resources to help rehabilitate their oral structures and function. Typically, about a week after the procedure, the infants and their parents meet with our IBCLC in the office and are referred to a trusted physical therapist for resolution of symptoms. The babies will also see Dr. Laborde one week after the procedure to assess healing and function.
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