Upper Lip Tie Treatment: Six Commonly Asked Questions

Has your child been diagnosed with a lip-tie? This common condition isn’t a cause for concern but should be treated to restore your child’s oral functionality. Simply Kids Dental offers lip-tie release (frenectomy) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Dr. Sean Vostatek provides this minor treatment in a comfortable, supportive environment to provide the highest standard of care your child deserves.

1. What is a lip-tie?

The lower and upper lips rest on a soft tissue band called the frenulum. Unfortunately, when the frenulum is too thick or short, it may restrict the lip’s mobility. Restricted lips affect how your child feeds, affecting their growth and development. If a lip tie is left untreated, it worsens and affects speech development, oral hygiene, and teeth alignment.

2. What causes lip ties?

The exact cause of lip-ties is unknown, but it’s highly linked to poor genetics and prenatal developmental factors. Lip ties often run through families and probably form during the embryonic development of the mouth and face. Although lip-ties can affect all children, they are more prevalent in boys than girls.

3. How can I tell my baby has a lip-tie?

Many kids are diagnosed with a lip-tie after delivery. However, when this goes undiagnosed/untreated, you may notice the following signs in your baby:

• A poor latch during breastfeeding
• Reflux or colic symptoms
• Poor weight gain
• Gumming or chewing on the nipple
• Milk leaking from the sides of the mouth when using a bottle or breastfeeding
• Cracked nipples for the nursing mother

Lip-ties should be treated to improve your child’s health and quality of life. When left untreated, they cause speech issues in older kids. Restricted lip movement may interfere with the formation of words that require the upper lip to lift away from the teeth. A lip tie can also contribute to various dental issues as a child’s teeth develop. Untreated lip-ties can cause gaps between teeth (diastema) and tooth decay.

4. How is a lip tie different from a tongue tie?

A lip tie affects the upper lip’s ability to move freely. In contrast, a tongue tie (ankyloglossia) restricts the tongue’s movement due to a tight frenulum under the tongue. Both conditions can cause feeding difficulties in infants and may affect speech development later in life.

5. How are lip-ties treated?

Dr. Vostatek treats lip-ties with a simple procedure (frenectomy). Often, the dentist severs the restricted frenulum with a scalpel or scissor. Before this minor surgery, the dentist will numb your child with local anesthetics to ensure a painless procedure. However, sedation dentistry is available if your child has dental anxiety or can’t remain still in the dental chair.

After treatment, our team will provide aftercare instructions to ensure a swift recovery. Our post-op guidelines cover pain management, feeding, and cleaning the wound. Also, letting your child wiggle their lip is crucial to prevent the tissue from reattaching. Complete recovery may take 2-3 weeks, but your child will resume normal feeding after 1-2 days.

6. Is it time to see a doctor for a lip-tie release?

Although mild lip-ties resolve independently, most need treatment to avoid further health complications. Do you suspect your child has a lip-tie? Call (719) 249-2030 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Vostatek. We offer painless frenectomies to enhance your child’s oral health.

Share this Article