What Is a Frenectomy, and Does My Child Need One?

Medically reviewed by

Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist

Dr. Michelle Haghpanah is a board-certified pediatric dentist dedicated to providing preventive, evidence-based dental care for infants, children, and adolescents. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from New York University, a Master of Public Health from Yale University, and completed her pediatric dental residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center, where she served as Chief Resident. A former Associate Professor at the University of the Pacific with hospital privileges at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford and Kaiser Santa Clara, Dr. Michelle reviews clinical content to ensure it reflects current pediatric dental guidelines, evidence-based practices, and clear, family-friendly information that helps parents make informed decisions about their child’s oral health.

DDS — New York University MPH — Yale University Residency — Mount Sinai · Chief Resident Hospital Privileges — Lucile Packard · Kaiser

A frenectomy is a procedure that releases a tight or restrictive frenulum, the small band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth or the upper lip to the gums. When this tissue limits normal movement, some children may experience feeding difficulties, trouble pronouncing certain sounds, or other problems with tongue or lip function. For parents, the bigger question is often whether those concerns actually mean their child needs treatment.

At Little Bytes Pediatric Dentistry, we start with a careful evaluation rather than assuming a frenectomy is the answer. We look at how the frenulum is affecting your child’s function, talk through any concerns you have noticed, and explain what we find so you understand whether treatment is appropriate and what the next steps may look like.

What Exactly Is a Frenectomy

Tongue-tie and lip-tie fall under the broader medical term ankyloglossia, and both describe the same underlying issue of a frenulum tight enough to interfere with normal function. The degree of restriction varies quite a bit from child to child, which is part of why two kids with a tongue-tie can have very different experiences. One might feed and speak with no trouble at all, while another struggles noticeably.

How the Procedure Works

Using precise laser technology, we release the tight tissue in just a few minutes, allowing the tongue or lip to move more freely. Many children feel little to no discomfort afterward, and most families notice improvements in feeding or speech within a short period. Our advanced laser dentistry allows us to perform the procedure with greater precision while minimizing discomfort and making the experience easier for young patients.

Signs Your Child Might Need a Frenectomy

Every child is different, and a tongue-tie or lip-tie does not always cause noticeable problems. Still, a few signs are worth paying attention to:

Difficulty latching or staying latched during breastfeeding
Clicking sounds or excessive air intake while feeding
Trouble sticking the tongue out past the lower lip
Speech delays or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, like the letter “r” or “l”
A gap between the front teeth caused by a tight upper lip frenulum

If you notice one or more of these signs, it does not automatically mean your child needs treatment. A proper evaluation is always the best next step, since many children with a mild tongue-tie never experience any functional issues.

Why Timing and Technology Matter

Frenectomies can be performed at almost any age, from infancy through adolescence, though the reasons for treatment often shift as children grow. In infants, the primary concern is usually feeding. As children get older, speech clarity and orthodontic development become increasingly common reasons for treatment, which is part of why we also encourage families to stay on top of routine dental exams so that any issues are caught early.

The Role of Laser Treatment

The technology used to perform the procedure also matters a great deal. Traditional scalpel methods have been used for decades, but laser technology has become an increasingly preferred option because it tends to reduce bleeding, minimize discomfort, and shorten recovery time. A prospective study on pediatric lingual frenectomy found that most children experienced measurable improvements in speech, feeding, and sleep after a laser frenectomy paired with simple follow-up exercises, which lines up with what we see in our own patients.

A Quick, Low-Stress Appointment

Parents often expect the appointment to take much longer than it actually does. After a short consultation to confirm that a frenectomy is the right choice for your child, we perform the release using our Solea laser, a tool built specifically for the kind of precision this procedure requires. The laser step itself usually takes just a few minutes, and most children are cleared to go home the same day.

What Recovery Looks Like

The main thing to manage after a frenectomy is keeping the tissue from reattaching as it heals, which we handle by teaching you a simple set of stretches to do with your child at home. Improvements in feeding or speech are often noticeable within the first week, though every child heals at their own pace. If anything feels off during recovery, we make it easy to reach us with questions rather than leaving you to guess. Our team also reviews special-needs accommodations for any family that wants a more sensory-friendly visit during a follow-up checkup.

Get Answers You Can Trust From Little Bytes Pediatric Dentistry

If you are wondering whether a tongue-tie or lip-tie could be affecting your child, getting a clear evaluation is the best place to start. At Little Bytes Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Michelle Haghpanah and Dr. Grover are board-certified pediatric dentists who carefully assess each child before recommending treatment, so you can understand what is going on and what options may be appropriate.

If you have noticed possible signs of a tongue-tie or lip-tie, or a pediatrician or lactation consultant has recommended an evaluation, we are here to help. Our Palo Alto team will answer your questions, explain what to expect, and help make the process as comfortable as possible for your child. Reach out through our contact form to schedule a consultation.