What is a Lip tie?
When the Labial frenum (muscle/ membrane that is attached behind the upper lip) is too thick. This keeps the upper lip from moving as it should.
Levels:
Level1- mucosal
Level2- Gingival
Level3- Papillary
Level4- Papilla Penetrating
What is Tongue Tie?
When the Lingual Frenum (muscle/membrane that is attached underneath the tongue) is too thick and limits or restricts the movement of the tongue.
Symptoms for Babies
• Developing Jaundice
• Poor weight gain
• Cluster feeding
• Spitting or choking on milk
• Clicking sound
• Inability to latch deeply or difficulty staying on the breast
• Colic symptoms
• Reflux symptoms
• Speech delay or speech problem
• Inability of the tongue to elevate and create suction to the nipple to draw milk.
Symptoms for Mothers:
• Pain during feedings- due to gumming or chewing of the nipples
• Damaged or distorted nipples (top-end of lipstick looked)
• Engorgement, blocked ducts or may develop to mastitis
• Milk supply issues
• Incomplete breast drainage
• Nipple thrush
Complications of Lip Tie and Tongue Tie:
• Trouble breastfeeding because of difficulty on latching
• Malnutrition in an infant- Breastmilk “liquid gold” contains all the essential nutrients that a baby needs for brain and body development.
• Lip ties can cause tooth decay near the gumline.
• Can also cause gum recession if not treated early.
• Can cause diastema- space in between two front teeth.
Procedure:
• The procedure uses a Laser to cut and seal the tissue resulting in a very little to no blood procedure.
• The cutting procedure takes less than a minute.
• Before and after intra Oral photos will be taken for Dental documentation.
• Compounded topical anesthesia or numbing jelly is placed on the frenum before administering the local anesthesia.
• Baby is swaddled and placed in our baby portable bed while being stabilized by an adult to minimize the movement during procedure.
• Expect that the baby will cry during the procedure, but then soothed almost immediately.
• Unfortunately, mothers and visitors are not allowed to enter the procedure area due to laser safety regulations.
• After the procedure, mother and baby are left in the room for nursing and soothe.
Risk of Procedure:
• Bleeding either at the time of the procedure or after the procedure for two weeks.
• Infection- can be controlled with antibiotics
• Pain- can be controlled by pain relievers
• Fussiness
• Temporary or permanent nerve damage.
• Refusal to feed (nursing strike or bottle refusal)
• Burn from Equipment
• Swelling and inflammation
Parent Consent:
I acknowledge that Dr. Mia Anne Villanueva-Perez has explained my child’s condition and proposed procedure. I understand the risks of the procedure, including the risk that are specific to my child and likely outcomes. I was able to ask questions and raise concerns have been discussed and answered to my satisfaction. I understand that photographs or video footage maybe taken during the procedure for documentation purposes. I understand that no guarantee has been made that the procedure will improve the condition. I understand and agree to stretch and massage the areas, retraining the proper latch and referring to a lactation consultant to help with post operation soreness. I understand that other factors affecting milk supply could be interfering, including but not limited to: medicines, stress, smoking, pituitary dysfunction, pain, irregular feeding routines, impaired letdown.
On the basis of the above statement, I request that my child has the procedure.
* Selecting I agree means giving full consent and is equivalent to patient’s signature.
* Denotes required field