INFANTS

CONSULTATION

The decision to correct the structural anomaly can only be achieved after a comprehensive evaluation of the medical history, feeding history as well as signs and symptoms in baby and mother. Dr. Patty will then perform a structural assessment on your baby using a knee-to-knee exam. A complete oral motor functional assessment is critical not only for a proper diagnosis of Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs) but also for a successful outcome. While some babies may present a very obvious tie, others can have a posterior tongue tie (submucosal), which could be more challenging to identify.

If treatment is recommended, our occupational therapist who specializes in infants will conduct a complete evaluation and then recommend a series of exercises not only to strengthen your baby’s tongue but also to prepare him/her for the release. If you were referred to us by your lactation consultant or occupational therapist, consultation notes will be sent to her/him, and we will work closely with them to ensure a successful outcome.

In some instances, a consultation with our craniosacral therapist will be recommended to locate and alleviate areas of your baby’s body that are restricted and/or unbalanced because of the Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs).

THE PROCEDURE

The procedure may be performed as early as a few days after birth all the way into adulthood. However, the sooner it is addressed, the fewer compensatory issues the child is likely to develop. The release is done by Dr. Villalta using a state-of-the-art CO2 laser. The noninvasive procedure lasts between 10 to 15 seconds with minimal to no bleeding.

Immediately after the procedure, our IBCLC will take you to our breastfeeding room and assist you with the initial latch to the breast or bottle to ensure a deep latch.

If you were referred by your lactation consultant, she is more than welcome to accompany you the day of the procedure and assist you afterward while at our facility.

AFTERCARE

Dr. Villalta will give you a set of exercises to do at home to prevent reattachment. A follow-up visit will be scheduled one week after the procedure and subsequent visits might be recommended depending on your baby’s healing. If you suspect your baby has a tongue-tie or lip-tie, call us today to schedule a comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Villalta

TODDLERS AND CHILDREN

CONSULTATION

The decision to correct the structural anomaly can only be achieved after a comprehensive evaluation. Dr. Villalta will conduct a thorough assessment of your child’s overall health, lip tie, tongue tie, as well as possible issues with sleep, speech, eating, dental malocclusions, and other functional disorders due to the physical restrictions of oral tissues.

If treatment is recommended and depending on your child’s age, you will be referred to our occupational therapist, speech therapist, or myofunctional therapist for further guidance. They will establish an exercise-based treatment plan (customized by age and needs) to strengthen and train the tongue and surrounding muscles to work together in preparation for surgery.

If you were referred to us by your occupational therapist or speech therapist, consultation notes will be sent to her/him, and we will work closely with them to ensure a successful outcome.

In some instances, a consultation with our craniosacral therapist will be recommended to locate and alleviate areas of your child’s body that are restricted and/or unbalanced as a result of tethered oral tissues (TOTs).

THE PROCEDURE

The release is done by Dr. Villalta using a state-of-the-art CO2 laser. The noninvasive procedure lasts 10 to 15 seconds with minimal to no bleeding and involves little to no pain.

AFTERCARE

Dr. Villalta will give you a set of stretches and exercises to do at home to prevent reattachment.

A follow-up visit will be scheduled one week after the procedure and subsequent visits might be recommended depending on your child’s healing.

Once the release is complete, your child’s oral tissues will have a whole new range of motion and they won’t necessarily know what to do with it. Therefore post-procedure therapy exercises are of paramount importance in order to correct functional disorders and to achieve normalization of the function.

If you suspect your child has a tongue tie or lip tie, call us today to schedule a comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Villalta.

CO2 LASER

At Happy Grins Pediatric Dentistry, we utilize LightScalpel CO2 laser to perform frenectomy and functional frenuloplasty procedures. The LightScalpel is a non-touch, cold laser that allows for a quick and gentle release without sedation or general anesthesia. There is little to no bleeding during the procedure, allowing for a clean visual field for complete release. In addition, the LightScalpel laser sterilizes the wound and surrounding tissue, promoting rapid healing, and minimizing the risk of infection.