Always such an amazing experience visiting Dr. Ikuta and staff. The staff is very friendly and easily accommodated your needs. Every time I visit, my teeth are super clean and my smile shines! Thank you Dr. Ikuta and staff for a phenomenal dental experience.
Free Your Child’s Lip or Tongue-Tie With a Frenectomy in Reedley
Dr. Deric Ikuta can perform a frenectomy in Reedley that frees your child from their tongue or lip-tie. Your child may need this procedure if they show signs such as trouble breastfeeding or difficulty gaining weight. Your toddler may not say certain words easily or show pickiness about certain foods. With Dr. Ikuta’s help, your little one will:
- Have an easier time with feeding and nursing
- Show an openness to trying more foods, if they are a bit older
- Gain more weight and improve nourishment
- Form words with their tongue that they couldn’t before
- Potentially avoid orthodontic problems later down the road
Call 559-643-2622 for an appointment.
Improve Your Child’s Development With a Simple Procedure
Dr. Ikuta learned the benefits of frenectomy treatment from being a father himself. His daughter struggled with feeding issues that he discovered were related to an untreated tongue or lip-tie. This inspired him to understand the solution and led him to be one of the first dentists in the area to use a laser to treat this problem. When you bring your little one in for care, you are getting treatment from a dentist who knows firsthand the issues this can cause in your family and how much it means to find relief.
Using a laser to free your child’s tongue or lip-tie offers many benefits:
- Precise Treatment – The laser allows for extremely precise results, ensuring only the targeted tissue is removed. This minimizes the chance of damaging any surrounding healthy tissue.
- Minimal Bleeding – Laser treatment cauterizes as it cuts, sealing blood vessels simultaneously. This results in very little bleeding and gives the dentist a clear view of the surgical site.
- Quick Procedure – The laser works quickly to eliminate the tongue or lip-tie, allowing for a fast procedure. No stitches are needed. So your child won’t have to stay still for long.
- Reduced Discomfort – Because of the efficiency of the laser, there is less irritation and discomfort in the surgical area. Your child will experience little to no pain from the frenectomy. They can begin feeding right away after the procedure.
- Short Recovery – The recovery time is a much faster process because of the way the laser promotes healing. In a couple of weeks, your child will be completely back to normal.
After the procedure, your dentist will give you a set of aftercare instructions to protect the surgical area. Your child may have a bit of swelling, but that is normal. You may also notice your little one is fussier than normal. However, within the first week or two, any lingering discomfort will lessen. Your infant may need some time adjusting without the tongue or lip-tie in place, but before you know it, they’ll be feeding like normal.
Call 559-643-2622 for a frenectomy in Reedley. You can also request an appointment online.
Common Questions About Frenectomy / Tongue-Tie Treatment
While some children with tongue-ties don’t experience problems or it loosens as they get older, a tongue-tie can often lead to future problems if ignored. Not being able to nurse properly can cause malnutrition. As they get older, your child may experience speech problems too.
The reasons for tongue-ties are relatively unknown, although genetics play a role. While it’s most common for infants and young children, tongue-ties have been seen in teens and older adults too. Not everyone has issues with a tongue-tie, though, so it may have gone unnoticed.
You should come for a consultation if you notice your child is having trouble latching on during breastfeeding. You may also notice poor suction while nursing, low weight gain or weight loss, limited movement of the tongue, or a high incidence of gas or acid reflux. Your dentist will perform an examination and determine if a frenectomy is right for you and your baby. The longer you wait, the more difficulties your child may have, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.