A restrictive tongue or lip tie can sometimes make everyday oral movements more difficult for a child. At Smile First Dental, we provide careful pediatric frenectomy evaluations in Durham, NC to determine whether restricted tissue is affecting your child’s oral function.
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A pediatric frenectomy is a procedure used to release a restrictive frenum, which is a small band of tissue inside the mouth. The lingual frenum connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth, while the labial frenum connects the lip to the gums. When one of these tissues significantly limits movement, it may be described as a tongue tie or lip tie.
Not every child with a noticeable frenum needs treatment. A frenectomy is generally considered when the restriction contributes to a meaningful functional concern. Our team evaluates tongue and lip movement, oral development, dental hygiene, feeding concerns, and other factors before recommending treatment. This function first approach is consistent with current pediatric dental guidance.
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Meet Our Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Jenny Citineni is a board certified pediatric dentist with deep roots in the Durham community. After attending school in Durham and graduating from UNC Chapel Hill, she continued her dental education at the UNC School of Dentistry. Her experience is centered on providing thoughtful, individualized dental care for children.
Dr. Jenny has specific experience evaluating children with tongue and lip restrictions. She takes a conservative approach and recommends a release when there is a functional reason for treatment. Smile First also works with other healthcare professionals when a child may benefit from coordinated care before or after a frenectomy.
Choosing a provider for your child’s frenectomy starts with finding a team that understands pediatric development as well as the function of the tongue, lips, teeth, and surrounding tissues. At Smile First Dental, every recommendation begins with a careful evaluation.
Our goal is not simply to identify a tongue or lip tie. We want to understand whether the restriction is actually affecting your child and whether a tongue or lip tie release could play a useful role in improving oral function.
We look beyond the appearance of the frenum and evaluate how your child moves their tongue or lip. Treatment is recommended only when the restriction and functional concerns support it.
We use specialized laser technology for frenectomy treatment, helping provide precise soft tissue care with better bleeding control and a more comfortable experience for children. AAPD guidance recognizes lasers as an accepted option for pediatric soft tissue procedures.
When appropriate, we can consider information from feeding specialists, speech professionals, pediatricians, ENTs, or myofunctional providers to help create a more complete treatment plan.
Releasing restrictive tissue can increase the available movement of the tongue or lip, giving your child greater freedom to perform oral movements that were previously difficult.
A restrictive lip frenum can sometimes make certain areas more difficult or uncomfortable to brush. Improved access may make daily cleaning around the gums and front teeth easier.
When limited movement contributes to a functional concern, a frenectomy may become one part of a broader treatment plan involving dental care, feeding support, or therapy when needed.
When a restrictive frenum pulls on the gum tissue, a frenectomy may reduce unwanted tension and help protect the gums from continued irritation or recession.
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My toddler had a great first visit! Everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable and made my daughters first ever dental visit a pleasant one! This will definitely be our dental home moving forward!
Herison
This is a wonderful group of people. Some of the same employees took care of my teeth as I was growing up and it’s great to have many of the same ones help clean and keep my daughters teeth in great shape! I love Smile First and trust them with my daughter’s smile!!
Sara h
A visible tongue or lip tie alone does not mean your child needs treatment. A pediatric dentist should evaluate whether the tissue is actually restricting movement or contributing to a meaningful functional problem. Current pediatric dental guidance supports considering function, symptoms, and other possible causes before recommending a release.
A tongue tie involves the lingual frenum underneath the tongue and may limit tongue movement. A lip tie involves a labial frenum connecting the lip and gums. The presence of either type of frenum is normal. Treatment is considered when the tissue is unusually restrictive and associated with functional concerns.
No. Many children have an anatomical tongue tie without needing surgical treatment. Professional organizations recommend considering frenectomy when a significant functional restriction is present and other appropriate approaches have been evaluated. Smile First follows a conservative, function based approach when determining whether treatment is appropriate.
A restrictive tongue can sometimes be one factor considered when a child has feeding or oral movement concerns, but these issues can have many different causes. A frenectomy should not be presented as a guaranteed solution for speech or feeding problems. Depending on your child’s needs, coordinated care with a feeding specialist, speech professional, pediatrician, or another provider may be recommended.
Recovery depends on your child’s age, the type of release performed, and their individual needs. Our team provides specific aftercare instructions and explains what to expect during healing. Follow up may also be recommended so we can evaluate the treatment area and your child’s oral function.
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Smile First Dental provides pediatric frenectomy and tongue tie evaluations in Durham, NC, at 3616 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd. Families can visit us for evaluation of restrictive tongue or lip tissue and receive clear guidance about whether a release is appropriate for their child.
Our Durham pediatric dental office also serves families from Chapel Hill, Morrisville, Hillsborough, Roxboro, Bahama, Oxford, Raleigh, and nearby communities. If you are concerned about your child’s tongue movement, lip mobility, oral hygiene, feeding, or another functional issue, our team can help you determine the appropriate next step
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