Tongue Tie Surgery and Frenectomy Treatment in Chicago
Welcome to Inspire Dental Wellness of Orland Park
We are a family-friendly dental clinic offering surgical care for tongue and lip ties. We specialize in infant and adult frenectomy treatments in the Orland Park area, including functional frenuloplasty for adults. We use the LightScalpel CO2 laser for precise and gentle treatment with minimal bleeding and faster healing. Your comfort and experience matter to us. We guide you before, during and after your visit so that you feel confident every step of the way.
Patient Testimonials
"He's a "TOTALLY DIFFERENT BABY" after his lip and tongue tie releases!"
When Hayden was just 1 month old, Emily noticed he was not gaining weight, was colicky, had problems with eating/taking a bottle and was even projectile vomiting. After seeking help from multiple health care providers, she found her way to us at Inspire Dental Wellness from her lactation consultant. Emily was more than willing to make the long drive from the Kankakee area for Hayden to have his frenectomy treatment in Orland Park!
"He latched without pain right after his procedure!"
Third-time mom, Amber, brought her baby, Beckett, into Inspire Dental Wellness seeking answers about his suspected tongue tie. Beckett had a difficult time nursing, favoring one brand of nipple shields and still dealing with colicky behavior. After his tongue tie surgery in Orland Park with Dr. Erica, Amber stated that he is a completely different baby!
Painful Breastfeeding Problems SOLVED by mini Sproutz™
Paige and her 4-month-old son came to Inspire Dental Wellness seeking help for latching issues with breastfeeding. After evaluation, Dr. Erica diagnosed Wyatt with an upper lip tie, posterior tongue tie, and bilateral cheek ties. Paige felt supported from beginning to end.
If you’re seeking a frenectomy in Orland Park, the team at Inspire Dental Wellness uses a state-of-the-art LightScalpel CO2 Laser. Contact us today to learn if you or your child might benefit from a frenectomy by laser. If you would like us to reach out to provide more information about our frenectomies near you, then please fill out the form below or give our office a call at 708-556-2959.
Contact Us Today to Schedule Your Comprehensive Consultation with Dr. Erica.
What Is Tongue Tie?
Tongue tie is a condition that occurs when there is a piece of tissue restricting the movement of the tongue. This can affect normal tongue movement and cause discomfort. If you think you may be experiencing tongue tie, book an appointment today with Dr. Erica for a thorough oral exam. She can assess your condition and determine if you could benefit from laser tongue tie surgery in our Orland Park location.
What Is Lip Tie?
Lip tie refers to a condition where the upper lip is tightly attached to the upper gums by a membrane called the labial frenum. This can make it challenging for babies to close their lips properly. If you suspect your little one may have lip tie, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment for a possible lingual frenectomy.
What Does Tongue Tie Look Like?
It may look like the band underneath the tongue is tight and might be thick. There are four classifications for Tongue Tie: (Images courtesy of Dr. Ghaheri)
This is the classic heart-shaped tongue that most doctors feel is the only real tongue tie. The tie inserts into the tip of the tongue.
Considered to be an anterior tie, this tie inserts just behind the tip of the tongue. We don’t see a heart-shaped tongue, but the tie is still clearly seen.
Classified as a posterior tongue tie, the distinction between this and a class 4 tongue tie is that the class 3 still has a thin membrane present.
No thin membrane is present, so this type of tie is the most commonly missed. The front and sides elevate, but the mid-tongue cannot.
Common Questions About Tongue Ties
Some studies suggest that it is a genetically inherited condition. It is estimated that around half of those diagnosed with a tongue tie have a relative who also has it. Tongue tie can be caused either by the frenum being too short and tight, or by the frenum not moving back down the tongue during development, which leaves it still attached to the tip.
A Korean study by Han et al. in 2012 showed that males are affected by tongue tie more often than females. Another study by Klockars in 2009 identified that tongue tie is present in approximately 4-5% of the population. However, that number is increasing due to the condition being inherited on a dominant gene.
Only a doctor, such as Dr. Erica, can diagnose a tongue tie. She works closely with professionals like lactation consultants and speech language therapists, who also help identify signs of the condition, and they refer to Dr. Erica for an official diagnosis.
If the tongue is tied, it may be difficult for the tongue to touch the roof of the mouth. This can create difficulty with — d, l, n, s, t and z sounds. It can also restrict the arch in the floor of the mouth, which would restrict sounds like r.
Additional Information About Frenectomies
Learn more about how a tongue tie or lip tie can affect an infant who is less than a year old. Some of our patients come a day or two after their birth. The sooner we can evaluate and treat a baby, the better.
If your child is over one year old, then explore our 1+ year old frenectomies. This also applies to children, teens and adults. Here you can learn about the symptoms and how we treat tongue ties for the adult age group since it is a different approach than treating those less than a year old.
Each patient is unique and treatment may differ. However, at Inspire Dental Wellness, we perform most of our procedures using our state-of-the-art LightScalpel CO2 Laser.
Benefits of Tongue Tie Surgery
After the surgery, patients experience relief from a range of symptoms:
Benefits for Adults
Expect easier tongue movement, less jaw and neck tension, clearer speech and better oral rest posture. Many adults notice improved nasal breathing and more restful sleep. It’s never too late to fix this. With the right release and aftercare, you can feel and function better at any age.
Benefits for Infants
Feeding becomes more comfortable. Latch and milk transfer improve. Babies often have less gas and reflux-like fussiness and sleep more soundly. Healing is typically quick with CO2 laser treatment and gentle stretches.
Inspire Dental Wellness in Orland Park is proud to be a Breathe Institute Affiliate. Breathe Institute Affiliates are carefully selected from a pool of applicants who have successfully completed a 5 Day intensive Breathe Course on Sleep, Breathing and Functional Frenuloplasty and reached out to The Breathe Institute to delve even deeper. Those selected are invited into the only program that allows graduates to say they have been “Trained by Zaghi and The Breathe Institute.”
Why Choose Inspire Dental Wellness?
We put patients first. You’ll receive clear answers and guidance every step of the way. Our clinical approach is grounded in function and evidence. As a Breathe Institute Affiliate, we offer airway care and focus on function for adults. Our LightScalpel CO2 laser allows precise, efficient releases for all ages. We collaborate with trusted lactation consultants, SLPs and myofunctional therapists. We respect your time with efficient visits and straightforward aftercare. We support PPO claims, accept HSA/FSA and offer flexible financing.
Contact Us Today to Learn More About Frenum Surgery in Orland Park
Fill our our form below or head to our contact page to learn more or schedule a Frenum Surgery consultation.