A frenectomy is a simple and effective surgical procedure performed to remove or modify the frenulum, a small fold of tissue that restricts the movement of the tongue or upper lip. In Garden City, Small Smiles Pediatric Dentistry offers specialized frenectomy treatments to help improve oral function and comfort.
This procedure is particularly beneficial for children experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding, speech, or dental hygiene due to a tight frenulum, commonly known as tongue-tie or lip-tie. Utilizing advanced techniques and gentle care, Dr. Manpreet Dhillon and Dr. Ravneet Dhillon ensure a safe and comfortable experience for your child, promoting better oral health and overall well-being.
Why Should I Get a Frenectomy?
Opting for a frenectomy can significantly enhance your child's quality of life. If your child struggles with breastfeeding, speech articulation, or maintaining proper oral hygiene, a frenectomy might be the solution. This procedure can alleviate discomfort and prevent potential oral health issues, such as misaligned teeth or gum recession, that may arise from a restricted frenulum.
At Small Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, our experienced team is dedicated to providing compassionate care, ensuring that your child receives the best possible treatment tailored to their specific needs. By addressing these issues early, you can help set the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
The Benefits Of Frenectomy
Improved Oral Function
A frenectomy can greatly enhance oral function, allowing your child to move their tongue or lip more freely. This improvement can lead to better speech development and more effective chewing and swallowing, contributing to overall oral health and well-being.
Enhanced Feeding Experience
For infants, a frenectomy can make a significant difference in breastfeeding. By releasing the tight frenulum, your child may latch more effectively, reducing feeding difficulties and ensuring they receive adequate nutrition for healthy growth and development.
Prevention of Dental Issues
Addressing a tongue-tie or lip-tie early can prevent future dental problems such as misaligned teeth or gum recession. By correcting the frenulum, you help ensure proper oral development, reducing the likelihood of needing more extensive dental treatments later in life.
The Frenectomy Treatment Process
Initial Consultation
The frenectomy process begins with a comprehensive consultation at Small Smiles Pediatric Dentistry. During this appointment, Dr. Manpreet Dhillon or Dr. Ravneet Dhillon will evaluate your child's oral health and discuss any concerns you may have. They will explain the procedure in detail, ensuring you understand the benefits and what to expect. This is an opportunity to ask questions and feel confident about the treatment plan tailored to your child's needs.
The Procedure
On the day of the procedure, your child will be made comfortable in a friendly and reassuring environment. Using state-of-the-art techniques, our doctors perform the frenectomy with precision and care. The procedure is typically quick, often completed in just a few minutes, and is minimally invasive. Local anesthesia is used to ensure your child experiences no discomfort during the treatment. The doctors’ expertise and gentle approach help make the experience as stress-free as possible for both you and your child.
Post-Procedure Care
After the frenectomy, the team at Small Smiles Pediatric Dentistry will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery. It's normal for there to be a little swelling or discomfort, but this usually subsides quickly. You will be advised on how to maintain oral hygiene and any exercises to help your child adapt to their improved oral function. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor your child's progress and ensure optimal healing. The supportive staff is always available to address any questions or concerns you may have during the recovery period.
Before & Afters
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Dental Trauma Guide
What to do in the event of trauma to the teeth and mouth:
If bleeding occurs:
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- Apply pressure with a clean cloth or gauze
- Try to identify the source of the bleeding
- If the gums or teeth are bleeding see a dental professional
- If the lips or face are injured visit the emergency room
If a tooth is chipped
- If the tooth fragment that chipped off is found, store it in milk, saliva or saline. Do NOT store in alcohol, water or mouthwash
- Contact a dentist for an emergency appointment
If a baby tooth is knocked out
- Baby teeth are not advised to be re-implanted but should be brought to the dentist to be evaluated
If there is a shift in the position of a tooth/teeth
- This is urgent! Contact a dentist for an emergency appointment ASAP
- If injury occurs outside of business hours visit the emergency room
If an adult tooth is knocked out
- Handle the tooth by the crown, try to avoid touching the root
- Rinse the tooth with milk or saline, DO NOT SCRUB
- Place the tooth back into the socket if possible
- If not, store the tooth in milk, saliva or saline. Do NOT store in alcohol, water or mouthwash. Adult teeth can be re-implanted by a dentist
- This is urgent! Contact a dentist for an emergency appointment ASAP
- If injury occurs outside of business hours visit the emergency room
If unsure whether a baby or adult tooth is knocked out
- Store the tooth in milk, saliva or saline and allow the doctor to determine. Do NOT store in alcohol, water or mouthwash
- This is urgent! Contact a dentist for an emergency appointment ASAP
- If injury occurs outside of business hours visit the emergency room
In all cases, focus on controlling bleeding (with gauze/clean cloth and pressure) and managing pain with motrin/tylenol (follow manufacturers instructions for dosing). Some dental emergencies are more urgent than others but all cases of dental trauma should be evaluated by a dentist as soon as possible.
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How to Reduce the Risk of Dental Trauma
Dental injuries are very common amongst active children. Here are some tips to reduce your child's risk of experiencing serious dental trauma.
Safe Play Environments
- Check play areas for younger children for hard surfaces and sharp corners, try to child-proof or limit access to such areas
- Keep hard objects and toys away from young children especially when they are teething (ages 0-3)
Preventing Sports-Related Trauma
- Helmets, facemasks and mouthguards reduce both the frequency and severity of dental/facial trauma.
- Mouthguards are highly recommended for all collision and contact sports and help prevent injuries such as broken or displaced teeth, jaw-joint injury, lip/cheek/chin lacerations and even concussions
- Custom mouthguards made by a dental provider offer the highest level of protection and can be made for children of all ages
- Pre-formed stock mouthguards and boil and bite mouthguards are more affordable alternatives which offer a lower level of protection than custom mouthguards but still reduce the risk and severity of injury
Education and Preparation
- Even with safeguards in place injuries happen! Learning how to manage dental injuries will help the adults managing the situation stay calm and act fast
- Some children are more prone to dental injury depending on their unique dental anatomy. Regular dental check ups will help identify potential risks and a dental provider can offer personalized suggestions
Frequently Asked Questions
