Specialized treatment for tongue and lip ties — gentle procedures that improve function and development for children of all ages.
Over 8 Certified Doctors
Top Of The Line Care
Expert Surgical Care Options
Over 9 Dental Experts
Restricted oral tissues, commonly known as tongue ties and lip ties, can significantly impact feeding, speech development, and oral function in children from infancy through adolescence. These common conditions involve overly tight or restrictive bands of tissue (frenula) that limit proper tongue or lip movement. At Park Smiles NYC, our experienced team provides specialized pediatric frenectomy procedures in our child-friendly Manhattan facility, utilizing gentle techniques adapted for different ages to release these restrictions and support proper development.
A pediatric frenectomy is a specialized procedure that addresses restricted oral tissues by releasing overly tight or restrictive bands of tissue (frenula) that limit proper tongue or lip movement in infants, children, and adolescents. This gentle procedure may focus on the lingual frenum (under the tongue), the labial frenum (connecting the upper lip to the gums), or both, depending on the specific restrictions present.
Frenectomies become necessary when these tissue restrictions interfere with normal function. In infants, restrictive frenula can impair breastfeeding, causing difficulties with latch, nipple pain for mothers, inadequate milk transfer, and poor weight gain. In older children, untreated restrictions may affect speech development, creating challenges with certain sounds, feeding difficulties, oral hygiene issues, or even contribute to orthodontic problems like gaps between front teeth or interfere with proper swallowing patterns.
At Park Smiles NYC, our approach to pediatric frenectomy emphasizes gentle, age-appropriate techniques that consider each child’s developmental stage. For infants, we utilize extremely gentle protocols focused on minimal intervention and immediate functional improvement. For older children, we provide more comprehensive releases with appropriate pain management and detailed aftercare. Throughout all age groups, our procedures emphasize precision, comfort, and excellent functional outcomes while supporting proper development of oral structures and functions.
Release your child’s oral restrictions with specialized care. Our Manhattan pediatric specialists provide gentle frenectomy procedures that improve function and development.
For infants with feeding difficulties, frenectomy can provide immediate improvement in breastfeeding mechanics, addressing challenges like shallow latch, nipple pain, inadequate milk transfer, and associated weight gain concerns. Many mothers report significant reduction in nipple pain and improved infant satisfaction during feeding within days of the procedure. Infants often demonstrate enhanced ability to flange their lips properly, achieve deeper latch, and maintain more effective suction during feeding sessions. These improvements not only support the physical aspects of nutrition but often help preserve the breastfeeding relationship that might otherwise be abandoned due to ongoing difficulties and discomfort.
In children with speech articulation challenges related to restricted tongue movement, frenectomy can significantly improve the ability to produce clear sounds that require specific tongue positions. Particularly for sounds requiring tongue elevation (like “l,” “r,” “t,” “d,” “n”), release of a restrictive lingual frenum allows greater range of motion and precision. When combined with appropriate speech therapy, many children experience accelerated progress in articulation skills following frenectomy. The procedure often helps eliminate compensatory speech patterns that develop when children attempt to work around their physical limitations, allowing more natural, efficient speech production.
Beyond the immediate functional benefits, frenectomy addresses potential developmental concerns that restricted tissues might cause if left untreated. Severe tongue ties can affect proper swallowing patterns, potentially leading to issues like tongue thrust that may impact dental alignment. Significant lip ties may contribute to gaps between front teeth or interfere with proper oral hygiene, increasing decay risk in hard-to-clean areas. By addressing these restrictions early, frenectomy helps prevent secondary problems that might require more extensive intervention later. This preventive aspect makes appropriate frenectomy an investment in your child’s long-term oral development and function.
For many families, the psychological and social benefits of frenectomy are as significant as the physical improvements. Children with speech challenges related to oral restrictions often experience frustration or embarrassment when others struggle to understand them. Infants with feeding difficulties may become increasingly fussy during feeding, creating stress for both baby and parents. By addressing the underlying physical restriction, frenectomy often improves these quality-of-life factors, reducing frustration during communication or feeding and enhancing confidence in social situations. Many parents report not just improved function but happier, more confident children following successful frenectomy and appropriate supportive therapies.
At Park Smiles NYC, our pediatric frenectomy services are provided by our experienced team of specialists who understand the complex relationship between oral restrictions and functional development. Our staff includes professionals with specialized training in the identification and treatment of tongue and lip ties across different age groups. Dr. Jessica Brezel Kaplan and Dr. Dascher Branch-Elliman, our dedicated pediatric dentists, bring specific expertise in infant and childhood oral restrictions, combining technical skill with a gentle, child-centered approach.
Our team’s approach to frenectomy emphasizes proper diagnosis, appropriate interventions, and thorough aftercare. We utilize advanced assessment techniques to identify functionally significant restrictions rather than treating based solely on appearance. Throughout your child’s care, our entire staff provides supportive, age-appropriate guidance with clear communication to both parents and children when age-appropriate. Our specialists regularly participate in continuing education focused on the latest advances in tethered oral tissue management, ensuring that your child receives the most current and effective care available.
Our pediatric specialists bring specific training in identifying functional oral restrictions from newborns to adolescents. We understand that ties present differently across developmental stages and utilize age-specific assessment protocols that evaluate actual functional impact rather than just appearance. This developmental perspective ensures appropriate intervention timing and technique based on your child’s specific needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
We prioritize comfort and positive experiences with techniques designed to minimize distress. For infants, we perform quick procedures in a calming environment with immediate parent comfort available. For older children, we incorporate age-appropriate explanations and comfort measures to reduce anxiety. Our child-friendly spaces create positive associations that help prevent dental anxiety while supporting necessary care.
Successful outcomes depend on more than just the procedure itself. We provide detailed preparation guidance before frenectomy and structured aftercare afterward, including stretching exercises and techniques to support new movement patterns. For cases requiring coordination with lactation consultants, speech therapists, or other specialists, we facilitate these connections to ensure integrated care throughout the healing process.
Identifying the need for a frenectomy varies by age group, with different indicators at different developmental stages. In infants, potential signs include difficult or painful breastfeeding with shallow latch, clicking sounds during feeding, nipple pain or damage, inadequate milk transfer leading to poor weight gain, difficulty remaining attached to the breast, and excessive gas or reflux from air swallowing. For toddlers and older children, indicators may include difficulty with certain speech sounds despite speech therapy, limitations in tongue movement or elevation, challenges with eating certain foods, difficulty cleaning the mouth properly, persistent gap between front teeth, or a tongue that appears notched or heart-shaped when elevated. It’s important to recognize that not all visible ties require treatment—the impact on function matters more than appearance. At Park Smiles NYC, our comprehensive evaluation assesses not just the visible restriction but how it affects your child’s specific functions like feeding, speech, and oral development to determine if a frenectomy would provide meaningful benefit in your child’s particular case.
Our approach to pediatric frenectomy prioritizes comfort through age-appropriate pain management techniques. For newborns and young infants, we utilize gentle techniques that take advantage of their developmental stage—at this age, the frenulum contains fewer nerve endings and less vascularization than in older children, resulting in minimal discomfort that quickly subsides. We offer pre-procedure numbing options when appropriate and provide immediate comfort measures like breastfeeding or skin-to-skin contact afterward. For toddlers and older children, we use appropriate local anesthesia techniques designed for pediatric patients, often enhanced with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for added relaxation when helpful. Following the procedure, most children experience mild discomfort for 24-48 hours that responds well to over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, which we provide specific dosing guidelines for based on your child’s weight. The stretching exercises performed during healing may cause momentary discomfort but are generally well-tolerated when performed as directed. Throughout the process, we emphasize comfort measures appropriate to your child’s specific age and needs.
The need for supportive therapy following a frenectomy depends on several factors including your child’s age, the severity and duration of the restriction, and the specific functional challenges present. For infants with feeding difficulties, consultation with a lactation specialist before and after the procedure often provides optimal support as mother and baby adjust to new feeding mechanics. For children with established speech issues, collaboration with a speech therapist helps capitalize on the new range of motion to establish correct articulation patterns that may not develop automatically despite the release. In cases involving long-standing restrictions where compensatory movement patterns have developed, myofunctional therapy may be recommended to help establish proper tongue resting posture, swallowing patterns, and oral functions. During your consultation at Park Smiles NYC, we comprehensively evaluate your child’s specific situation and provide recommendations regarding supportive therapies that would optimize their functional outcomes following frenectomy. When therapy is indicated, we work closely with trusted specialists and maintain communication throughout the process to ensure coordinated care.
At Park Smiles NYC in Manhattan, NYC, our mission is to provide every patient with exceptional care, prioritizing comfort, compassion, and excellence at every step.
We are dedicated to delivering outstanding results through personalized attention in a welcoming and supportive environment. Led by Dr. Krystle Kendall, D.M.D., our skilled team offers a full range of top-quality dental services—all conveniently available under one roof in Manhattan.
Our skilled team in Manhattan, NYC is dedicated to offering a comprehensive array of the very best dental services
Prosthodontics & Cosmetic Dentistry
Prosthodontics & Cosmetic Dentistry
Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric Dentistry
Orthodontics
Oral Surgeon
With Cherry we offer our patients the best “buy now, pay later” solution with high approvals, low cost, and a seamless experience.
At Park Smiles in Manhattan, NYC, we make it easy for you to receive top-quality dental care in a convenient and accessible location. Whether you’re due for a routine checkup or seeking specialized treatment, our friendly team is here to provide exceptional service in a comfortable setting.
We look forward to welcoming you to our office and helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. Schedule your appointment today!
If you are ready to enhance your smile, the experienced cosmetic dentists at Park Smiles NYC are here to help. Our dedicated team offers a comprehensive range of services, from orthodontics to teeth whitening, to meet all your oral health needs. We understand the importance of a healthy smile for your overall well-being and are committed to ensuring your satisfaction throughout your treatment journey.
Or Call (929) 203-7933
