New Lip & Tongue-Tie Patient Information Lexington
Before Scheduling
Prior to scheduling the consultation with Dr McElligott, we strongly encourage you to work with a functional specialist suited to the issues your child or you are experiencing. Examples of functional specialists are: Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), speech & language pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist or myofunctional specialist. You are always welcome to come for a consultation, but the procedure cannot be performed until you have been cleared by your functional specialist. Having a solid pre-op and post-op plan with your functional specialist is essential to helping your child or you benefit from the procedure. The tongue, lip and cheeks are made of many muscles that will need to relearn how to function properly after the procedure.
The Consultation Appointment
Prior to the appointment, you will complete a patient registration and the patient’s medical history and symptoms. Dr McElligott will review this with you prior to completing a thorough examination. During this exam, she will show you any restrictions present in the mouth and, after the exam, will discuss the findings with you, their implications on function, and the symptoms you are experiencing.
If necessary, Dr McElligott will then discuss the recommended treatment and how the procedure is performed, risks and benefits, what to expect after the procedure and necessary wound care.
The Procedure
At Northeast Lip & Tongue Tie Studio, we utilize a CO2 laser to perform a complete release, or frenectomy. This laser is fast, precise, sterilizes the field and also provides a numbing effect to the tissue.
After the Procedure
Your infant will be brought to you immediately after the procedure (often less than 5 minute) to be fed. Older children and adults are allowed to relax in the dental chair.
The necessary wound care (“exercises and stretches”) will be demonstrated to you and you will be given the opportunity to practice.
Dr McElligott will check in with you the evening of the procedure. You will have an in-person follow-up one week after the procedure.
We recommend seeing your functional specialist within one week of the procedure to help the patient improve their function and improve their strength and coordination of the musculature.
Aftercare Instructions
The following exercises and stretches are extremely important and need to be done every 4-5 hours for 6 weeks starting on the day of the procedure.
LIP STRETCH: From behind the child’s head, place your two pointer fingers under the upper lip and flip the lip up to your baby’s nostrils. Stretch for a quick 5 count to see the diamond. Repeat 3 times. Then gently rub over the wound side to side and then up and down (Rub and Roll).
TONGUE STRETCH: Place your non-dominant thumb on the lower gums, apply downward pressure to keep your child’s mouth open. Using your dominant pointer finger, pull the tip of the tongue back towards the throat to stretch out the wound to a quick 5 count. Repeat 3 times.
CHEEK STRETCH: From the side, gently hook a finger to extend the cheek outward to stretch the cheek wound to a quick 5 count. Repeat 3 times.
**As part of the healing process following the release/s, it is essential to follow the post-operative wound care instructions provided. Additionally, follow up care with your functional provider is a critical component of long-term success**