Tongue ties and lip ties are common conditions where tight bands of tissue restrict normal movement of the tongue or lips. While they might seem minor, these restrictions can cause significant problems: breastfeeding difficulties in infants, speech delays and articulation problems in children, gaps between front teeth, difficulty with oral hygiene, and even digestive issues. At Dental Sedation Ottawa, we perform precise, gentle frenectomy procedures to release these restrictions and restore normal function — with comprehensive sedation options ensuring complete comfort for even the youngest patients.
A frenectomy (also called a frenotomy or frenulectomy) is a simple surgical procedure that removes or releases a frenum — a small fold of tissue that connects moveable structures in the mouth. There are several frenums in the mouth, but the two most commonly treated in children are the lingual frenum (connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth) and the labial frenum (connecting the upper lip to the gums above the front teeth).
When these tissue bands are too thick, too tight, or attached too close to critical areas, they restrict normal movement and function. This restriction is what we call being "tied" — hence the common terms tongue tie (ankyloglossia) and lip tie.
Tongue Tie (Ankyloglossia): The lingual frenum is too short or tight, restricting the tongue's range of motion. This can prevent the tongue from reaching the roof of the mouth, extending past the lower front teeth, or moving freely side to side. Tongue ties range from mild to severe and can significantly impact feeding, speech, and oral function.
Lip Tie: The labial frenum attaching the upper lip to the gums is too thick, too low, or too tight, restricting the upper lip's ability to lift naturally. This can interfere with breastfeeding in infants and cause gaps between the front teeth (diastema) in older children.
Frenectomy is a quick, straightforward procedure — often taking just 5-15 minutes — that immediately releases the restriction and restores normal tissue mobility. While the procedure itself is brief, the benefits can be life-changing, especially for infants struggling to feed or children dealing with speech difficulties.
We offer comprehensive sedation options tailored to your child's age, anxiety level, and specific needs.
Signs that your child may have a tongue tie or lip tie:
The approach depends on which tissue is restricted and how it affects your child's function.
Thorough evaluation including visual examination of the frenum's attachment and thickness, functional assessment of tongue or lip movement, discussion of symptoms and how they impact feeding, speech, or oral health, and review of your child's medical history. For infants with feeding difficulties, we often coordinate with lactation consultants.
On procedure day, we administer the chosen sedation option. For very young infants, we typically use only topical numbing gel. For older children, appropriate sedation ensures complete comfort. Once your child is relaxed (or asleep), we ensure complete numbness of the treatment area.
The surgeon uses surgical scissors or a scalpel to carefully cut the frenum, releasing the restriction. The tissue is thin and contains relatively few blood vessels, so bleeding is typically minimal. For simple releases, no stitches are needed. More extensive releases may require 1-3 dissolvable stitches. Most procedures take 5-15 minutes.
After the release, we apply gentle pressure with gauze to control any bleeding (usually stops within 1-2 minutes), provide detailed aftercare instructions, and for infants, encourage immediate breastfeeding or bottle feeding to comfort the baby.
Immediate Recovery (First 24-48 Hours): Discomfort is typically minimal — most infants and children need only children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen for 1-2 days. The surgical site may appear white or yellowish as it heals (this is normal granulation tissue, not infection). Minor bleeding can occur if the area is disturbed, but this stops quickly with gentle pressure.
For Infants: Nurse or bottle feed frequently — the sucking motion helps with healing and comfort. Expect some fussiness for 24-48 hours. You may notice improved latch and feeding efficiency within days. Follow up with lactation consultant within 1-2 weeks to optimize feeding.
For Children: Stick to soft, cool foods for 2-3 days. Avoid hard, crunchy, spicy, or acidic foods. Gentle oral hygiene, avoiding direct brushing of the surgical area for the first few days. Some children need speech therapy to learn to use their newly mobile tongue effectively.
Stretching Exercises (Essential): To prevent the frenum from reattaching during healing (which happens in about 5-10% of cases without exercises), we teach you specific stretching exercises. These involve gently lifting the tongue or lip several times daily for 2-4 weeks. We demonstrate these exercises thoroughly and provide written instructions.
Long-Term Healing: The frenectomy site heals completely within 2-3 weeks. Full functional improvement — especially for speech — may take several months as the child learns to use the tongue's new mobility. Many children benefit from short-term speech therapy (4-8 sessions) or myofunctional therapy to retrain oral muscle patterns.
Transparent pricing for frenectomy procedures
Many dental insurance plans cover frenectomy at 50–80% when deemed medically necessary due to feeding difficulties, speech problems, or dental health concerns.
We provide direct billing to major insurance carriers and accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).
Flexible payment options available.
Our patients consistently rate us 5 stars for gentle, anxiety-free care. Read verified patient experiences on Google.
View All Reviews on GoogleWhy families choose Dental Sedation Ottawa for frenectomy:
