A small band of tissue in the mouth can sometimes limit the way a child feeds, speaks, brushes, or moves their tongue and lips. Parents may first notice trouble with nursing, unclear sounds, a gap between the front teeth, or pulling near the gums during brushing.
Starlet Kids Dentistry provides Frenectomy treatment for children in Granada Hills, CA. Dr. Golshid Shakouri Partovi and the team carefully evaluate tongue-tie and lip-tie concerns, then explain whether treatment may improve comfort, movement, and daily function.
A frenectomy is a minor procedure that releases a tight frenum. A frenum is a small strip of tissue that connects areas inside the mouth. In children, the two most common concerns involve the tissue under the tongue or the tissue between the upper lip and gum.
The lingual frenum is located under the tongue. If this tissue is too tight, it may restrict tongue movement. This is commonly called tongue-tie. A child with tongue-tie may have trouble lifting, extending, or moving the tongue freely.
The labial frenum connects the upper lip to the gum tissue above the front teeth. If this tissue is tight, thick, or attached low between the teeth, it may affect lip movement, brushing access, gum comfort, or spacing between the upper front teeth.
A frenectomy releases the restricted tissue so the tongue or lip can move with less tension. Dr. Partovi recommends the procedure only after checking how the frenum affects your child’s function, development, and comfort.
Tongue-tie and lip-tie concerns can affect children differently depending on age. A newborn may show feeding signs, while an older child may have speech, brushing, or spacing concerns.
Tongue movement plays a key role in feeding. Babies need their tongues to move well during breastfeeding or bottle feeding. A restricted tongue can make it harder to latch, create suction, or transfer milk well.
Parents may notice clicking sounds, long feeding sessions, frustration during feeds, poor milk transfer, or slow weight gain. Nursing parents may also feel pain or discomfort. A frenectomy may be helpful when the restricted tissue is contributing to these feeding issues.
Some speech sounds require the tongue to lift, stretch, or touch certain areas inside the mouth. A tight lingual frenum can limit those movements. A child may have trouble producing certain sounds or may develop habits that work around limited tongue motion. A frenectomy can improve movement, though some children may also need speech therapy to practice new tongue patterns after treatment.
A tight upper lip attachment can pull on the gum tissue or sit low between the front teeth. This may contribute to a visible space between the upper front teeth or make the area feel tight.
Dr. Partovi can evaluate whether the lip attachment is affecting the gums, tooth spacing, or orthodontic planning. A labial frenectomy may be recommended when the tissue is causing functional or developmental concerns.
A tight labial frenum can make it harder to lift the upper lip during brushing. Some children feel pulling, tenderness, or discomfort when parents try to clean near the gumline. Better lip movement can make brushing easier around the upper front teeth. This may help reduce plaque buildup and support healthier gums in the area.
Some children have a visible frenum that does not cause problems. Treatment is not always needed. The concern becomes more relevant when the tissue affects feeding, speech, brushing, spacing, or comfort.
A baby with a tongue-tie may have ongoing feeding struggles if tongue movement remains limited. Feeding may take longer, and parents may feel frustrated when latch or milk transfer does not improve. In some cases, families may also work with a lactation consultant, pediatrician, or other provider.
A child with restricted tongue movement may continue to have trouble forming certain sounds. Speech therapy can help many children, but a tight frenum may need to be addressed if it limits the tongue’s range.
A tight lip attachment may affect cleaning near the front teeth. If plaque remains around the gumline, the area may become irritated. Tooth spacing concerns may also need monitoring as your child grows.
An evaluation helps parents understand whether the frenum should be treated now, watched over time, or addressed with support from other providers.
Starlet Kids Dentistry provides Frenectomy care in a pediatric dental setting. The visit includes a detailed exam, parent discussion, treatment planning, and aftercare guidance.
The visit begins with an exam of the tongue, lip, frenum attachments, gums, tooth spacing, and oral movement. Dr. Partovi looks at how the tissue moves and whether it is limiting normal function. Parents can discuss feeding concerns, speech concerns, brushing difficulty, gum pulling, spacing, or discomfort. For infants, parents may share details about latch, feeding duration, weight concerns, and guidance from other care providers.
Dr. Partovi explains what she sees and whether a frenectomy may be helpful. The discussion may include the type of restriction, how it affects your child, what the procedure involves, and what healing may look like. Parents have time to ask questions before treatment. This helps families feel prepared and understand why treatment is or is not recommended.
The area is numbed when appropriate for the child’s age and treatment needs. Dr. Partovi then releases the tight tissue with careful technique. The procedure is usually brief. The team uses a calm, child-focused approach to help your child feel supported during the visit.
Some soreness, swelling, or tenderness can happen after treatment. The team will explain comfort care, cleaning, and signs to watch for at home. Stretching exercises may be recommended to reduce the chance of reattachment. Dr. Partovi will show parents how to perform the stretches and explain how often they should be done.
Families want frenectomy care that is thoughtful, gentle, and based on function rather than appearance alone. Starlet Kids Dentistry provides pediatric dental care with close attention to your child’s comfort and development.
A frenum can look tight without causing a problem. Dr. Partovi checks movement, symptoms, and daily function before recommending treatment. This careful approach helps parents understand whether a release is appropriate or if monitoring is the better choice.
Each age group needs a different approach. Babies need parent-centered guidance. Young children need simple language and a gentle pace. Older children and teens may need a clear explanation of how treatment connects to speech, spacing, or brushing. The team adjusts the visit to your child’s age, comfort level, and treatment needs.
A frenectomy may be one part of a larger care plan. Babies with feeding concerns may also need support from a lactation provider or pediatrician. Children with speech concerns may benefit from speech therapy. Children with spacing concerns may need orthodontic monitoring as they grow. Dr. Partovi helps parents understand how the procedure may fit into the child’s overall care.
Dr. Partovi speaks English, Spanish, and Farsi. This helps families ask questions, review treatment details, and understand aftercare instructions more clearly. Clear communication helps parents feel more prepared before the procedure and more confident with home care.
Frenectomy treatment may help children with tongue-tie or lip-tie concerns that affect feeding, speech, brushing, gum comfort, or spacing. A careful exam can help determine whether releasing the restricted tissue may improve movement and daily function.
Starlet Kids Dentistry provides Frenectomy treatment for children in Granada Hills, CA, with gentle care and clear parent guidance. Book your child’s Frenectomy consultation in Granada Hills, CA with Starlet Kids Dentistry today.
A frenectomy is a minor procedure that releases a tight band of tissue in the mouth. It may be used for tongue-tie or lip-tie concerns.
Possible signs include trouble latching, clicking during feeding, long feeding sessions, poor milk transfer, frustration while feeding, or slow weight gain.
Yes. Older children may need a frenectomy if a tongue-tie or lip-tie affects speech, brushing, gum comfort, tooth spacing, or orthodontic planning.
No. A lip-tie only needs treatment if it affects function, comfort, cleaning, spacing, or gum health. Dr. Partovi can evaluate the attachment.
The area is numbed when appropriate for your child’s age and treatment needs. Dr. Partovi will explain what to expect before treatment begins.
Many children heal quickly. Mild soreness or swelling may last a few days, and the team will explain home care based on your child’s procedure.
Stretches may help reduce the chance of the tissue reattaching during healing. The team will show parents how to complete them safely.
Yes, if a tight upper lip attachment is making brushing difficult. Releasing the tissue may make the area easier to clean.
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