At Synera Dental Wellness NYC, we understand the profound impact that seemingly small issues like tethered oral tissues (TOTs), commonly known as tongue-tie and lip-tie, can have on an infant’s development and overall wellbeing. Dr. Jeremy Montrose, a specialized infant dental specialist, has specialized training and a compassionate approach to diagnose and address these conditions, supporting healthy feeding, breathing, and growth for your little one.
Tethered oral tissues occur when the frenulum – the small band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth (lingual frenulum) or the lip to the gums (labial frenulum) – is abnormally short, thick, or tight. This restriction can limit the natural movement and function of the tongue and/or lips, potentially leading to a range of challenges.
Poor seal, slipping off the nipple, prolonged feeding times, frustration at the breast/bottle.
Nipple pain, damage, or mastitis.
It’s important to note that not all infants with a visible frenulum restriction will experience difficulties. A thorough functional assessment by a trained professional is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
At Synera Dental Wellness, Dr. Montrose takes a comprehensive and gentle approach to evaluating and managing infant tethered oral tissues. We understand that each baby is unique, and our assessment goes beyond a simple visual examination. We focus on:
If a functionally restrictive tongue-tie or lip-tie is diagnosed and deemed to be contributing to your infant’s challenges, Dr. Montrose offers functional frenuloplasty. This is a minimally invasive procedure to release the restrictive frenulum, allowing for improved tongue and/or lip mobility.
