Frenectomy Services in Winchester, VA
A delicate procedure handled with compassion, care, and 20 years of expertise.
What is a Frenectomy?
A frenum, or frenulum, is a small piece of tissue that attaches either the upper lip to the gum tissue or the tongue to the floor of the mouth. For some children or infants, the frenum may be attached too tightly, causing a “tongue and/or lip-tie,” pulling of the gums, impaired speech, problems with sleeping, eating or drinking, and more.
A frenectomy is a procedure that involves our pediatric dentist using a laser to remove the excessive frenum. This allows for greater movement of the lips, and restored function of the tongue. This simple procedure can be performed right here in our office, and produces instant results. The incision site usually heals in a few days with little to no discomfort.
To deliver the most comfortable experience possible for every patient, our pediatric dental office offers ultra-safe sedation dentistry services for kids who experience with dental anxiety, have special healthcare needs, or who are set to undergo an oral surgery, like a frenectomy.
During your surgical consultation, Dr. Gibson and her team will assess your child’s health history to determine the safest, most effective sedation level for your their procedure!
What Are Tongue and Lip Ties (a.k.a. TOTs)?
Let’s talk frenulums (yes, it’s a real word!). Most people are born with two: one under the tongue that connects it to the floor of the mouth, and one that links the upper lip to the gum right above those front teeth. When these little bands of tissue are a bit too enthusiastic in their job, we call them tethered oral tissues, or TOTs for short.
Tongue Tie: This happens when the tissue under the tongue is too tight, thick, or short, limiting how far the tongue can move. It’s like the tongue wants to dance but someone’s holding its shoes.
Lip Tie: This one’s a close cousin—extra tissue connects the upper lip to the gum line, restricting movement and flexibility up top.
And while TOTs might sound cute (TOTally adorable, right?), they can actually cause some not-so-cute challenges—especially for babies. Ties can limit the movement of the tongue, lips, and even the cheeks (hello buccal ties), leading to a host of issues that often get misdiagnosed as colic, reflux, or even failure to thrive. Unfortunately, treating those symptoms won’t fix the real root of the problem.
Babies with tongue or lip ties often struggle to latch properly when breastfeeding. That can lead to a discouraged mama, a frustrated baby, and a nursing experience that feels more like a wrestling match than a bonding moment. Some signs that a tie might be at play? Gumming or chewing at the breast, clicking or wheezing sounds, gasping for air mid-feed, and enough drool to soak a onesie (or three). Add in all that swallowed air, and you’ve got a recipe for hiccups, gassy tummies, and yes—more colic and reflux.
At Shenandoah Smiles, our goal is to identify these ties early and accurately so families can get the right treatment, right away. Because breastfeeding should be beautiful—not battle-filled. And beyond the snuggles and bonding, nursing delivers powerful nutritional and immune support for your little one.
What are the symptoms of a tongue or lip tie?
Symptoms in infants:
- Cobblestone nursing blister on lip
- Clicking or gulping sounds while nursing
- Gumming, chewing nipples, leaks milk
- Chokes easily
- Frequent release and relatch
- Shallow latch
- Long nursing sessions – falls asleep mid feed
- Long nursing sessions – falls asleep mid feed
- Colic/gas/reflux
- Poor weight gain or weight loss
- Unable to hold a pacifier
- Heart shaped tongue
Symptoms likely present in toddlers & older children:
- Reflux
- Fatigue during eating
- Projectile spitting up after eating, weight loss
- Lip blisters
- Gassiness
- Congestion
- Liquids/foods dribbling from sides of mouth
- Potential future speech and dental problems
- Pocketing food/picky eater
The effects of a tongue or lip tie aren’t limited to your little one—mothers often experience symptoms, too. If nursing feels more difficult than expected, it may be your body’s way of signaling that something isn’t quite right. Here are some common signs that may indicate your baby has a tie:
- Low or decreasing milk supply
- Breasts that don’t fully empty after nursing
- Cracked, blistered, or bleeding nipples
- Plugged ducts
- Pain or discomfort while nursing
- Recurring mastitis
- Nursing sessions that feel unusually long—or very short if baby tires quickly
- Feelings of frustration or postpartum depression linked to feeding challenges
Did you know?
Breastfed infants work 60 times harder at the breast than feeding from a bottle. The very action of latching and suckling significantly increases the strength and size of the baby’s tongue. A good latch will help expand the size of the palate, open the airway, oxygenate the blood, support a baby’s brain growth, and help prevent Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Consequences of Untreated Lip and Tongue Ties
When left untreated, tongue and lip ties (TOTs) can do more than just make feeding a challenge for babies—they can create long-term issues well into childhood and even adulthood. We’re talking social, orthodontic, and gum health problems that are totally preventable with early diagnosis and care.
• Feeding Difficulties – A tied-down tongue can’t do its job properly, and that affects how the palate (roof of the mouth) develops. Without the tongue’s natural movement to help mold it, many kids end up with a high, narrow palate – which can cause problems with eating and even breathing. On top of that, some children have trouble moving from milk to purees or solids, becoming picky eaters or swallowing food in large chunks. Choking, gagging, or mealtime meltdowns may follow.
• Speech Challenges – The tongue plays a big role in producing clear speech. If it can’t lift or move freely, kids may struggle with sounds like “t,” “d,” “s,” “z,” “th,” and “n.” This can lead to articulation delays or speech impediments that impact confidence and communication as they grow.
• Sleep Struggles – An undiagnosed tongue tie can also interfere with sleep. When the tongue sits low and back in the mouth, it can partially block the airway – especially at night. This restriction can contribute to snoring, sleep apnea, and restless sleep. As a result, children (and even adults) might experience chronic fatigue, difficulty focusing, hyperactivity, or behavioral concerns that often go misdiagnosed.