20
Aug
Restore Your Kid’s Oral Health and Life with Tongue-tie Surgery
If your child can’t lift or stick out their tongue, there might be a problem. Restricted or tethered tongue movement can hinder feeding and speech development in children. A tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is when a tight band of tissue (frenum) attaches the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth, restricting its movement.
At Drs. Goodman, Ko and Associates of Milford, Massachusetts, we provide tongue-tie surgery to restore your child’s oral health. Instead of traditional surgery, our dental experts perform a tongue-tie release (frenectomy) with advanced laser dentistry. This laser-assisted frenectomy procedure is swift, minimally painful, and facilitates rapid healing.
What causes a tongue-tie?
The frenum is residual tissue that forms part of the facial structure in the early stages of pregnancy. When the child develops, this tissue disappears or reduces to a very thin, elastic membrane that doesn’t limit the tongue function. Typically, the tongue can move past the lower lip and reach the upper teeth or roof of the mouth. When the frenum is too tight or thick, it may limit the tongue’s movement, affecting oral function in many ways.
What are the signs of a tongue-tie?
Patients with a tongue-tie have a heart-shaped or notched appearance of the tongue tip when extended. However, regardless of the shape of the tongue, it’s the symptoms that count. Schedule an appointment with a dentist when you notice the symptoms below.
- Breastfeeding challenges, including poor latch, frequent feeding sessions, or inadequate milk transfer
- Speech difficulties, such as difficulty articulating certain sounds like “l,” “r,” “s,” or “t.”
- Persistent difficulty controlling saliva
- Oral hygiene issues, including difficulty cleaning the tongue or increased risk of cavities due to inadequate tongue movement
A tongue-tie doesn’t only affect the infant—it affects the mother too. A poor latch can cause discomfort and soreness for the breastfeeding mother, as the baby may unintentionally press on the nipple or cause friction during feeding. Other noticeable symptoms for the mother include poor breast drainage, blistered nipples, and plugged ducts (mastitis).
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New Patients: (508) 850-0686 | Existing Patients: (508) 478-3800
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How is a tongue-tie treated?
Traditionally, doctors treat a tongue-tie by making a small cut on the tight band (frenum) with a scalpel to “release” the tongue. This lengthens the frenum, making your tongue move freely. Our dental team administers frenectomy using laser technology. This procedure uses a focused beam of light to sever the frenum. Laser-assisted tongue-tie surgery is quick and doesn’t hurt. Plus, laser dentistry results in minimal bleeding and fast recovery.
Who offers tongue-tie surgery near me?
Ready to renew your child’s feeding and speech abilities? Please schedule a consultation with our experienced team today and explore the benefits of tongue-tie release. Give your child the freedom to thrive with painless, laser-assisted treatment in Milford, MA. Call (508) 850-0686 to schedule an appointment today with Drs. Alan Ko, Brittany Bressler, and Saeed Kashefi.
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Alan Ko, DMD
Alan Ko, DMD, studied Biology at Washington University in St. Louis (BA Magna Cum Laude), Dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania (DMD Magna Cum Laude, Dean’s Scholarship recipient, Louis I. Grossman Award in Endodontics, and Academy of General Dentistry Award Recipient), did his residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH)/Harvard Medical School (General Practice Residency and Clinical Instructor Massachusetts General Hospital), was a guest lecturer at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and Massachusetts General Hospital (General Practice Residency). Dr. Ko’s clinical focuses are craniofacial development in children, sleep/airway dentistry, TMD and occlusion, regenerative oral surgery, and reconstructive restorative/prosthetic dentistry, including Invisalign and dental implants. He is a member of the American Dental Association and Massachusetts Dental Society and has been named as Boston’s Top Dentists since 2012.
Brittany Bressler, DMD
Brittany Bressler, DMD, attended the University of New Hampshire-Durham (magna cum laude, studying psychology and pre-dental studies). Then, she attended Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, MA (Doctorate in Dental Medicine). At Tufts, she was the Vice President of the local chapter of the American Association of Women Dentists. Dr. Bressler has been named one of Boston Magazine’s Top Dentists for the last four years.
Saeed Kashefi, DMD, FAGD
Saeed Kashefi, DMD, FAGD, attended Harvard University (Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Literature and Creative Writing, cum laude), the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (doctorate, cum laude: He also won the JR Schmidt Fixed Prosthodontics Award), and the BWH/ Harvard-Wide General Practice Residency Program in Hospital Dentistry (residency and fellowship). He stayed on the BWH staff before taking over as clinician attending at the Massachusetts General Hospital, where he served for 16 years. Dr. Kashefi was also the Clinical Instructor at Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Dental Medicine during this time. He is a Fellow of the American Association of Hospital Dentists and Academy of General Dentistry.
Cristina Hantavis MS, CCC-SLP
Cristina Hantavis MS, CCC-SLP, is a licensed and certified Speech and Language Pathologist with extensive training in orofacial myology. She believes that oral health is deeply connected to our general health and takes a holistic approach that targets the whole body by working with the muscles of the face and mouth. Cristina previously worked in private and elementary school settings with children experiencing moderate to severe cognitive, linguistic, and behavioral challenges. She uses this experience to help children facing such issues in her current role.
David Goodman, DMD (retired)
David Goodman, DMD (retired), joined our practice in 1984. Our office was founded in 1975 by Dr. Carl DiGregorio, and since partnering with him, Dr. Goodman has been devoted to delivering exceptional dental care to Milford families. Although he retired in 2021, our practice still carries his philosophy of treating patients as whole people beyond just their teeth.