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Pediatric

Tongue & Lip Tie Care

Frenectomy care for newborn, toddler, & child

Hospital Residency-Trained, Board-Certified Pediatric Dentists

25+ Years Combined Experience
2 Board-Certified Pediatric Dentists
A+ Advanced Training in Tongue & Lip Tie Release Technology

locally owned and operatedOklahoma Owned and Operated

Tongue tie and lip tie dental experts Pediatric Tongue and lip tie dental services

Timely Access to Tongue & Lip Tie Care

for Oklahoma's Children

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Keeping the Lowest Fees

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Prompt Access
Timely Consultations

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Same-Day
Treatment & Relief

We will always provide follow up or revisions

Follow-up or Revisions
Readily Provided

Tongue & Lip Tie

What are the signs & symptoms?

Let's start with the cause: The Frenum

A frenum is the small piece of tissue in the mouth that helps control how certain parts move.
Common examples include the one beneath the tongue (lingual frenum "Tongue Tie") and the one connecting the upper lip to the gums (labial frenum "Lip Tie"). If this tissue is shorter, thicker, or tighter than usual, it can cause difficulties with eating, speaking, and maintaining proper oral care.

Procedures: Frenotomy or Frenectomy

What's the difference?

A Frenotomy is a more basic and quick release of the tight frenulum tissue(s) often performed on newborns and infants with feeding challenges.
A Frenectomy is a more involved procedure where the frenulum is removed or reshaped using a laser or other surgical means to provide more specific and meaningful release of oral tissue(s).

» See the treatment procedure

Description of Tongue tie

Tongue Tie

A tongue tie occurs when the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is unusually short or tight, restricting normal tongue movement.

The tongue and lips consist of a highly intricate set of muscles that play a vital role in every oral function. Because of this, restrictions such as a tongue-tie can contribute to difficulties with breastfeeding, eating, dental health, speech, sleep, and breathing. These challenges may continue into adulthood, potentially leading to issues like sleep disturbances, headaches, neck and shoulder discomfort, as well as ongoing speech concerns.

Tongue Tie Signs & Symptoms

  • Newborns:
  • Difficulty latching or feeding
  • Clicking sounds during breastfeeding
  • Poor weight gain
  • Patient & Mother:
  • Maternal nipple pain
  • Nipple damage during breastfeeding
  • Toddlers:
  • Speech difficulties
  • Difficulty licking, swallowing, or clearing food from the mouth
  • When to Consider Treatment:
  • If your child experiences feeding, speech, or oral function difficulties
  • When routine care is ineffective in addressing symptoms
  • How We Can Help:
  • Assessment and diagnosis by our specialists
  • Gentle and precise frenectomy using advanced techniques
  • Types of Tissue Releases:
  • Frenectomy (tongue tie release) with state-of-the-art tools
Description of Lip tie

Lip Tie

A lip tie occurs when the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum is tight or thick, restricting lip movement and potentially causing feeding or dental issues.

Lip frenula (maxillary frenulum) are located between the upper jaw or maxilla and the inside of the upper lip.

Lip frenula are typically classified into four types. These tissues can differ in thickness, length, and where they attach between the upper lip and the gum. When it comes to breastfeeding, what matters most is how they affect the lip's ability to flange and work effectively.

Lip Tie Signs & Symptoms

  • Newborns:
  • Difficulty latching or maintaining suction while breastfeeding
  • Patient & Mother:
  • Maternal nipple pain or trauma
  • Toddlers:
  • Gaps between teeth
  • Speech or oral hygiene challenges
  • When to Consider Treatment:
  • Feeding difficulties in infants
  • Oral development concerns in toddlers
  • Persistent dental or speech issues
  • How We Can Help:
  • Comprehensive evaluation
  • Safe and effective lip tie release tailored to your child
  • Types of Tissue Releases:
  • Lip tie release using precision instruments and modern techniques

Frenectomy Care

Treatment Procedure

Pediatric laser technology using Light Scalpel

Dr. Evans and Dr. Gray are trained and experienced in multiple frenectomy modalities, including:

  • Light Scalpel Laser – State-of-the-art laser technology to gently and precisely release the tissue with minimal discomfort and faster healing.
  • Electrocautery – Tissue release using a heated instrument to cut and cauterize simultaneously, minimizing bleeding.
  • Scalpel – Traditional surgical removal of tissue with a small blade, allowing precise control.
  • Scissors – Manual cutting of the restrictive tissue using sterile surgical scissors.

After years of experience with all methods, our specialists strongly recommend using state-of-the-art laser technology as the safest, most precise, and most effective option for tongue and lip tie treatment.

While we are trained and familiar with all these different modalities, we consider the CO2 laser to be the state of the art and standard of care for our patients.

LightScalpel CO2 Laser Surgery Benefits

Why is LESS best with the LightScalpel CO2 Laser?
This video covers the main benefits that LightScalpel CO2 laser surgery provides for both patients and surgeons.

View why LESS is best using LightScalpel Laser Surgery
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View infographic showing benefits of using LightScalpel CO2 Laser Surgery

Click thumbnail to see quick view of benefits for using LightScalpel CO2 Laser.

Tongue & Lip Tie Experts

Over 25 Combined Years of Specialty Practice Experience

Dr David Evans and Dr Stephen Gray - Dental specialists

Tongue & Lip Tie (Frenectomy) Care

Dr. David T. Evans and Dr. Stephen T. Gray are hospital residency-trained, board-certified pediatric dentists with advanced expertise in treating tongue and lip ties (frenectomies). With a combined 25 years of specialty practice experience, they are local Oklahoma experts in providing safe and effective relief for newborns, toddlers, and children experiencing soft tissue restrictions.

Both providers have completed additional training specifically in tongue and lip tie releases, allowing them to offer the most up-to-date techniques and best outcomes for families.

Possible Symptoms

  • Frustration with communication
  • Trouble with speech sounds
  • Speech is hard to understand, or mumbling
  • Speech delay
  • Slow eater or trouble finishing a meal
  • Picky eater, especially with textures
  • Choking or gagging on liquids or foods
  • Spitting out food or packing food in cheeks
  • Restless sleep (kicking or moving while asleep)
  • Grinds teeth at night
  • Sleeps with mouth open
  • Snores (quiet or loud)
  • Jaw joint (TMJ) issues
  • Frequent headaches or neck pain
  • Mouth breathing during the day
  • Hyperactivity or inattention

Prompt Access

& Same-Day Treatment

Providing Urgent Attention

We understand that tongue and lip ties in newborns can require urgent attention. Our office prioritizes timely consultation and treatment—often within a few days, and in many cases, same-day frenectomy treatment is available.

Schedule Consultation
We provide urgent tongue tie or lip tie care

For More Information

About Frenectomy Tongue & Lip Tie Symptoms and Procesures

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