Providers: Dr. Chenelle Roberts ND
Tongue and Lip Tie Evaluation
The physicans at Docere Center provide complete tongue and lip tie evaluation. Evaluation includes review of breast and/or bottle feeding history, birth and medical history, current symptoms, and infant oral examination. If a procedure (frenotomy) is recommended, your practitioner will describe the procedure in detail and can perform it during the consultation visit. Aftercare will be reviewed with family by your frenotomy provider and a follow-up visit to assess frenotomy site will be scheduled about a week after the procedure.
Symptoms of Tongue Tie
There are many symptoms that may be associated with a tongue and/or lip tie. For the breastfeeding parent, these may include a decrease in milk supply, plugged ducts, mastitis, sore or lipstick-shaped nipples, breast and/or nipple pain, or an “oversupply”. For the infant who is feeding either at breast or with bottle, symptoms may include poor latch, clicking while feeding, fussiness while feeding, very slow feeds, frequent feedings, quick tiring while feeding, poor weight gain, or weight loss. Some infants who have significant reflux or spitting up may also benefit from having a tongue tie evaluated and released if present.
Frenotomy Procedure
Dr. Chenelle Roberts performs procedures for both tongue ties (including posterior tongue tie) and lip ties. This procedure is a quick in-office minor surgical procedure. Prior to the procedure, your infant is calmed and swaddled and given a 24% sucrose solution. Depending on the age of the infant and need, additional pain relief and/or topical anesthetic may be offered. An assistant then gently positions your infant’s head and the physician performs the frenotomy. Parents are encouraged to stay in the room and are welcomed to watch should they desire. After the frenotomy is completed, your infant is given back to you immediately and feeding from a bottle or breast may occur. Your frenotomy provider is available to assist during this time of comforting post-procedure. The procedure, including swaddling and positioning, usually takes less than a couple of minutes.