A Frenectomy Offers Freedom
Frenectomy – Westminster, CO
A Frenectomy Offers Freedom
Frenectomies – Tongue-Tie Release
Does your baby have a hard time breastfeeding because she can’t latch on correctly? Do you notice that your baby’s tongue seems restricted in movement? Your baby may have been born with tongue-tie, a physical condition that can be easily remedied by a simple procedure in our office.
Lingual Frenectomies
When the frenulum is too thick, tight, or short, movement is restricted, a frenectomy may be necessary. The lingual frenulum is the membrane that connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. A frenectomy is a routine procedure used to correct this congenital condition known as tongue-tie.
Tongue-Tie Release for Every Age
Tongue-Tie does not only affect infants. Restricted tongue mobility can impact feeding, speech, airway development, sleep and jaw growth at different stages of life.
Laser Frenectomy: Safe, Precise, and Effective
A frenectomy can be safely performed using a CO₂ (carbon dioxide) laser on infants, children, teens, and adults. The laser promotes faster healing, reduces bleeding, and lowers discomfort after the procedure compared to traditional surgical tools, making it a gentle and effective solution for issues such as tongue-tie (a restriction of the tissue under the tongue) and other limitations on mouth movement.
Infants
In babies, tongue-tie most often affects breastfeeding. Early release can help improve:
- Latch and suction
- Milk transfer
- Maternal comfort during feeding
- Healthy weight gain
- Proper oral and airway development
Addressing tongue restriction early can also support nasal breathing and proper jaw growth.
Children
As children grow, untreated tongue-tie can contribute to:
- Speech articulation challenges
- Mouth breathing
- Sleep disturbances
- Narrow palate development
- Dental crowding
- Behavioral concerns related to poor sleep
A release combined with myofunctional therapy can improve tongue posture, breathing patterns, and overall oral function.
Teens
With teenagers, tongue restrictions can become more noticeable as growth accelerates and academic, athletics, and social demands increase. A limited tongue can contribute to:
- TMJ discomfort or jaw clicking
- Mouth breathing or restless sleep
- Speech articulation challenges
- Neck and facial muscle tension
- Improper swallowing patterns
During adolescence, the jaws are still developing. Addressing tongue mobility at this stage supports better tongue posture and improves breathing patterns. Tongue-tie release for teens is often combined with orthodontic treatment or myofunctional therapy to promote balanced growth and long-term function.
Adults
In adults, an untreated tongue-tie may present as chronic tension or airway-related concerns rather than feeding or speech issues. Symptoms can include:
- TMJ pain or jaw instability
- Headaches or facial muscle strain
- Snoring or sleep-disordered breathing
- Limited tongue mobility affecting oral posture
- Compensatory swallowing or speech patterns
For adults, tongue-tie release is typically part of a broader airway-focused treatment plan. When combined with therapies such as expansion, oral appliances, or full mouth rehabilitation, release can help improve breathing efficiency, reduce muscular strain, and support long-term jaw and airway stability.
Frenectomy for Other Oral Ties
In addition to tongue-tie, restricted movement of other oral tissues can affect feeding, speech, and oral function.
- Lip Tie (labial frenulum): This is when the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum (labial frenulum) is tight or restrictive. It can interfere with a baby’s ability to create a proper seal (lip flange) during breastfeeding and may require release.
- Cheek Tie (buccal frenulum): A cheek tie refers to a tight band of tissue (buccal frenulum) anchoring the cheek to the gums, which may limit mouth movement and affect feeding or comfort.
Treating these ties with a laser ensures precision, minimal discomfort, and faster recovery. These benefits apply regardless of the patient’s age.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tongue-Tie
How can I tell if my baby is tongue-tied?
Since tongue-tie refers to restricted tongue movement, evaluating your baby’s eating habits is a good place to start. How well your baby latches on when breastfeeding can indicate the range of motion of their tongue.
The following are signs that may indicate your baby has a tongue-tie, but none of them alone is conclusive. An evaluation by one of our doctors would be the best way to determine whether or not your baby could benefit from a frenectomy.
Possible signs of tongue-tie:
- Pain during breastfeeding
- Damaged nipples
- Baby’s inability to maintain suction during breastfeeding
- Clicking noises during feeding that aren’t just the result of a noisy eater
- Baby’s low weight gain over time
- Recurring Mastitis
Some questions to consider:
- Does your baby have difficulty moving their tongue from one side to the other?
- Can your baby touch the upper gums or the roof of the mouth with their tongue?
- Can your baby stick their tongue out past their gums?
- Does your baby’s tongue have a V or heart shape at the tip when they stick it out?
What is tongue-tie surgery?
Our frenectomy procedure is a laser treatment and takes only 15 minutes. The advantages of doing a frenectomy with a laser rather than the traditional approach with a scalpel include:
- less bleeding.
- reduced need for stitches.
- minimal post-operative discomfort.
- faster recovery.
What causes tongue-tie?
Tongue-tie is a condition present at birth.
Is tongue-tie surgery painful?
Not at all. Your child will be adequately sedated with a general anesthetic during the procedure, so he or she will not feel a thing.
Can tongue-tie go away on its own?
No. The only way to correct tongue-tie is by surgery.
Can a baby with tongue-tie stick their tongue out?
No. As noted, babies with tongue-tie cannot stick their tongues out.
Take the First Step
Dr. Stamm and Dr. Chrissy look forward to working with you and your child if he or she wrestles with the negative effects of tongue-tie. The frenectomy procedure is simple, and together with a team of medical specialists, our doctors treat this condition comprehensively, safely, and comfortably.
Experience the Difference
Our patients choose us because we treat the whole system. Schedule a consultation today and discover a practice that combines expertise, compassion, and a focus on long-term health.
Experience the Difference
Our patients choose us because we treat the whole system. Schedule a consultation today and discover a practice that combines expertise, compassion, and a focus on long-term health.
Meet Dr. Stamm
You don’t come to Dr. Stamm because you’re looking for a quick fix.
Patients often find their way here after something hasn’t quite added up, persistent jaw discomfort, breathing or sleep concerns, or a sense that symptoms are being treated without understanding the full picture.
Dr. Stamm takes a step back. She looks at how the airway, jaw, bite, and overall function work together before recommending anything. Her approach is thoughtful, thorough, and grounded in the belief that better outcomes start with better questions.
What patients appreciate most is that she takes the time to explain why something may be happening, not just what to do next.
Meet Dr. Stamm
You don’t come to Dr. Stamm because you’re looking for a quick fix.
Patients often find their way here after something hasn’t quite added up, persistent jaw discomfort, breathing or sleep concerns, or a sense that symptoms are being treated without understanding the full picture.
Dr. Stamm takes a step back. She looks at how the airway, jaw, bite, and overall function work together before recommending anything. Her approach is thoughtful, thorough, and grounded in the belief that better outcomes start with better questions.
What patients appreciate most is that she takes the time to explain why something may be happening, not just what to do next.
Meet Dr. Chrissy
Dr. Chrissy has a way of making complex concerns feel manageable.
Whether she’s working with parents navigating feeding or development questions, or adults dealing with long-standing sleep or jaw issues, her focus is always the same, helping patients feel heard, informed, and supported.
She believes care should feel collaborative, not rushed. That means listening carefully, explaining options clearly, and guiding patients through decisions with honesty and empathy.
Patients often say they leave their visit feeling relieved, not because everything is “fixed” that day, but because they finally understand what’s going on.
Meet Dr. Chrissy
Dr. Chrissy has a way of making complex concerns feel manageable.
Whether she’s working with parents navigating feeding or development questions, or adults dealing with long-standing sleep or jaw issues, her focus is always the same, helping patients feel heard, informed, and supported.
She believes care should feel collaborative, not rushed. That means listening carefully, explaining options clearly, and guiding patients through decisions with honesty and empathy.
Patients often say they leave their visit feeling relieved, not because everything is “fixed” that day, but because they finally understand what’s going on.