When learning your child has a tongue or lip tie in McKinney, you may feel overwhelmed by the information you find while researching this common condition. As pediatric dentists, Dr. Justin and Dr. Sage can eliminate any confusion and provide a clear and concise explanation of what is happening in your child’s mouth and how it can be treated safely and effectively. But in order to understand some of the terminologies that will likely be used when discussing potential treatment, read on to familiarize yourself with the common verbiage you can expect to hear from your child’s dental team.
Tongue-Tie
A tongue-tie is referred to as the band of tissue located underneath the tongue that is connected to the bottom of the mouth. The medical term is “Ankyloglossia,” and the soft tissue is often referred to as the “frenum.” If your child’s pediatric dentist in McKinney declares they have a tongue-tie that needs to be corrected, it is because the band of tissue is too short or restricted, impeding your baby’s ability to perform appropriate and necessary oral functions (i.e. breastfeeding, latching, bottle feeding). It can also make it difficult for your child to stick out their tongue or inhibit their speech.
Lip-Tie
Unlike a tongue-tie that exists underneath the tongue, a lip-tie occurs underneath the upper lip or behind the lower lip and connects to your child’s gum tissue. Your child can experience many of the same problems as they would if they had a tongue-tie and may likely require surgical correction to improve oral function and decrease their risk for potential tooth decay and dental caries as they grow.
Buccal-Tie
Rarely used by dental professionals, if Dr. Justin or Dr. Sage believe your child has a buccal-tie, it is referring to the tissues located on either side of their mouth that connect their cheeks to the jaw and bone.
Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTS)
In general conversation with a pediatric dentist, you may hear them refer to your child’s connective tissues as “tethered oral tissues” or TOTS for short. This is often more easily understood by parents and can explain issues that may be occurring in your baby young child. The usage of this term enables medical professionals to better collaborate and create a more uniform approach when discussing these common birth abnormalities and their impact on an infant or child’s development.
Frenum/Frenulum
The frenum or frenulum is the connective tissue located underneath the tongue, behind the upper or lower lip, and between the cheeks, jaw, and skull bones. The plural form of the word is frenulums or frenula. These bands of tissue form while your baby is developing inside the womb. Many children experience no problems as they grow; however, if apoptosis, a process that reduces the child’s frenulums, does not occur while still in the womb, it can cause their tissues to be enlarged when born. As a result, your baby may experience difficulty latching, breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or even gaining weight.
Frenectomy/Frenulectomy
When discussing treatment options for your child, do not be surprised if Dr. Justin or Dr. Sage recommend a frenectomy or frenulectomy. This term refers to a common procedure performed to correct the connective tissue. Many pediatric dentists use a variety of methods to complete this process; however, the team at Sprout Dentistry for Kids uses a soft tissue laser to gently release it while cauterizing the tissue to prevent bleeding. This process allows for the lip and/or tongue to move more freely, allowing your baby to perform regular oral functions.
Now that you have a better understanding of the terminology used when discussing your child’s lip or tongue-tie, you can feel more confident in your decision to pursue appropriate treatment with Dr. Justin or Dr. Sage.
About the Authors
At Sprout Dentistry for Kids, Dr. Justin Chan and Dr. Sage Yoo are board-certified pediatric dentists who are fathers first. Understanding the uncertainty that can come with learning your child has a lip and/or tongue-tie, they remain committed to providing honest, complete information to help parents like yourself make well-informed decisions about your child’s oral and overall health. Customizing treatment plans based on your little one’s specific needs, we will explain the process in its entirety in a way that is easy to understand and gives you greater peace of mind. Visit our website or call (469) 301-3212 to find out how we can better assist in improving your child’s dental health.