TONGUE TIES ~ AIRWAY EXPANSION ~

TONGUE TIES ~ AIRWAY EXPANSION ~

PEDIATRIC TONGUE TIES & FRENECTOMIES

A restrictive tongue or lip tie physically prevents a child's mouth from functioning properly. This limitation impacts feeding, swallowing, airway development, and speech. We provide precise, minimally invasive releases to restore full oral mobility. Our clinic utilizes advanced soft-tissue lasers to ensure a fast procedure with rapid healing, providing immediate relief for both the infant and the mother.

UNDERSTANDING restrictive ORAL TIES

Everyone has a frenulum. This is the small band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth and the upper lip to the gums. When this tissue is unusually short, thick, or tight, it restricts natural movement. This condition is medically known as ankyloglossia, or a tongue-tie.

A baby with a restrictive tie cannot elevate or extend their tongue. This makes it mechanically impossible for them to effectively draw milk during nursing or bottle-feeding.

  • Support Now Can Shape Their Growth for Years to Come

    Many parents don’t realize that issues like tongue- or lip-ties, poor sleep, speech delays, or narrow jaws can all be connected. When left untreated, these concerns can impact how your child eats, breathes, speaks, and develops—both now and in the future.

    Early treatment through laser frenectomy or jaw expansion can help:

    ✅ Make breastfeeding or bottle-feeding more comfortable and effective
    ✅ Improve speech clarity by allowing proper tongue mobility
    ✅ Encourage healthy jaw and facial development
    ✅ Support nasal breathing and restful sleep
    ✅ Prevent future orthodontic and airway issues

    The earlier these issues are identified, the more easily—and gently—they can be addressed. At Tiny Tooth Co., we believe in proactive care that supports the whole child from the very start.

    If your child is struggling with feeding, speech, or sleep, a quick evaluation with Dr. Tracy Tran could make all the difference.

  • Dr. Tracy offers comprehensive evaluations and treatments at TTCO designed to support healthy development from infancy through childhood. Her services include:

    • Tongue- and lip-tie evaluations

    • Gentle laser frenectomy (no general anesthesia)

    • Airway-focused care to support healthy breathing and sleep

    • Early jaw and facial growth expansion

    She works with families to address common concerns like:

    ✔️ Feeding challenges (breast or bottle)
    ✔️ Speech delays
    ✔️ Mouth breathing and restless sleep
    ✔️ Narrow palates or underdeveloped jaws

    In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Tracy teaches advanced frenectomy and airway techniques to pediatric dentists nationwide and served as a Clinical Assistant Professor at USC.

  • You don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether it’s difficulty latching, restless sleep, mouth breathing, or speech concerns, these challenges could be signs of a tongue-tie, lip-tie, or airway issue.

    Let’s take a closer look—early support can make a lifelong difference.

    🗓 Dr. Tracy Tran is available every Tuesday at Tiny Tooth Co.
    📞 Give us a call or send a message—her dedicated team will be in touch to help you schedule a personalized consultation.

RECOGNIZING ‍the SIGNS of a TIE

Mothers frequently experience the physical symptoms of a tie long before a clinical diagnosis is made. Look for these specific indicators during your daily routine.

  • Feeding difficulties: Your baby struggles to latch or constantly loses their latch during a feed.

  • Maternal pain: Nursing causes severe pain, tissue damage, or bleeding for the mother.

  • Digestive issues: The baby makes clicking sounds while eating, swallowing excess air that leads to severe gas, colic, or reflux.

  • Poor weight gain: Feeding sessions are exhausting and prolonged, yet the infant fails to gain adequate weight.

  • Speech delays: Older children may struggle to articulate specific sounds or experience eating aversions.

THE ‍LASER FRENECTOMY PROCEDURE

We parter up with hand chosen pediatric dentists to help perform a simple procedure called a frenectomy to release the tension. Instead of traditional surgical scissors, our clinic exclusively uses a specialized pediatric dental laser.

The laser vaporizes the restrictive tissue with pinpoint accuracy. It simultaneously cauterizes the area. This results in virtually zero bleeding and eliminates the need for any sutures. The entire release takes only a few seconds to complete. We prioritize your child's comfort by utilizing highly effective topical anesthetics to numb the area prior to treatment.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Untie.
Expand.
Breathe.

Do not let feeding struggles and physical pain persist. Contact our clinic to schedule a comprehensive evaluation. We will assess your child's oral mobility and determine if a laser frenectomy is the right medical step.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

POST-TREATMENT CARE AND HEALING

Recovery from a laser frenectomy is rapid. However, active parental participation is required to ensure the tissue heals correctly.

  • Immediate feeding: You are encouraged to nurse or bottle-feed your baby immediately after the procedure in our private recovery area. Many mothers feel an instant improvement in the latch.

  • Stretching exercises: The mouth heals incredibly fast. We will teach you simple, gentle oral stretches to perform at home. These stretches prevent the tissue from reattaching as it heals.

  • Collaborative support: We coordinate closely with your lactation consultant, pediatrician, or speech therapist to support your child's long-term functional growth.