About Lip and Tongue Ties | Village Family Dental

Lip and Tongue Ties

Our highly trained dental specialists are here to help.

toddler with tongue tie

Between 4-10% of infants are born with some degree of frenum restriction in their tongue and lip, which can affect their ability to breastfeed or even take a bottle. These tongue or lip ties can be released with a simple procedure known as a frenectomy.

Village Family Dental has been providing frenectomies for children and adults for years and we are offering this beneficial service for infants. Serving Eastover, Fayetteville, Hope Mills, Laurinburg, Raeford, St. Pauls, and beyond, contact us online to schedule your next appointment.

What are the benefits of laser frenectomy?

  • Virtually no bleeding, even in cases with thick tissue
  • Laser kills bacteria and other microbes, making infection virtually impossible
  • Laser tip offers ultimate precision and accuracy
  • Capable of going as far back as needed to eliminate 100% of the restriction

What can you expect at your visit?

Your visit will consist of a consultation with one of our providing dentists, during which a thorough assessment will be made to determine if your child is a candidate for a frenectomy. The procedure itself will take place in-office. The average laser frenectomy procedure only lasts about 2-3 minutes and is virtually painless.

Healing and Recovery

Recovery time is usually quick with only minimal discomfort during the first 24 to 72 hours following the procedure. With the help of frequent breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact, mother and child can recover quickly and enjoy the benefits of improved feeding time.

Meet Our Team

Molly Guy, DDS

Dr. Guy began her career with Village Family Dental in July of 2010. She currently provides excellent dental care at our Hope Mills and Valleygate locations. She is certified laser proficient and performs CO2 laser frenectomies for infants and older patients with abnormally functioning tongue and lip frenula.

Faith McGibbon, DDS

Dr. Faith McGibbon is an owner and senior partner of Village Family Dental and the head of our pediatric practice. She completed specialty training in pediatric dentistry at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 2001 and returned to Village Family Dental to lead its rapidly expanding pediatric practice.

Sarah Lester, Board Certificated Lactation Consultant

Sarah Lester was born in England and lived in Mississippi and Texas before being stationed in Fayetteville, NC with her Air Force father. She is a graduate of Pine Forest High School and received her Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Biochemistry from NC State University in 2008. She obtained her Certified Lactation Educator Counselor (CLEC) training from UC San Diego in 2014 and her Lactation Consultant training from UC San Diego in 2015. She became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in 2015 and also received her Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Components of Care from Postpartum Support International (PSI) training in 2017.

What are the symptoms of a lip or high palate tongue tie?

Child symptoms include:

  • Weight loss or slow weight gain
  • Frequent feedings (2 hours apart or less)
  • Shallow latch on breast or bottle
  • Clicking or popping sounds during nursing
  • Significant reflux or gassy tummy
  • Sucking callus on lip
  • Fatigue quickly during feedings

Mommy symptoms include:

  • Painful breastfeeding
  • Breast still full of milk after feedings
  • Mastitis or thrush infection
  • Nipple trauma such as cracking, bleeding, bruising, creasing, or flattening

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