Tongue Tie Treatment (Frenectomy)

If your baby struggles with nursing, or your child has trouble speaking clearly or moving their tongue, you might be wondering if a tongue-tie is to blame. At Chatham Pediatric Dentistry in Chapel Hill, we offer gentle tongue-tie evaluation for infants, children, and teens in a calm, kid-friendly setting. We’ll provide direction and referrals based on the best possible science to the best possible providers.

Dr. Alex and Dr. Kevin provide thoughtful evaluations, always taking time to explain what they see, what it means, and what your options are as a parent or caregiver.

What Is Tongue Tie and When Is Treatment Helpful

Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is when the thin band of tissue under the tongue, called the frenum, is tighter or shorter than usual. It can affect up to 10% of the population and sometimes benefits from a frenum release or frenotomy. Dr. Alex and Dr. Kevin use evidence-based practices from the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, the American Academy of Pediatrcs, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the American Association of Orthodontists to determine if intervention is recommended. Treatment of a tongue-tie is surgery, and shouldn’t be considered lightly.

Our goal is to help you understand what is going on and decide, together, if tongue-tie treatment is the right move for your child right now.

Schedule A Tongue Tie Evaluation For Your Child Today

If you are concerned about your child’s feeding, speech, or oral comfort, we invite you to reach out so we can discuss whether tongue tie treatment is right for them. At Chatham Pediatric Dentistry, we will carefully evaluate your child’s needs and guide you through every step of their care.

Why Families Choose Chatham Pediatric Dentistry for Tongue-Tie Care

Dr. Alex and Dr. Kevin spent three full years after graduating from dental school specializing in dentistry for children of all ages, with extensive focus on growth and development. They believe in a conservative and evidence-based approach to treatment in line with AAPD, AAO, AAP, and AAO-HNS recommendations and intervention only when necessary. Sometimes less is more.

Straightforward, evidence-based explanations in plain language
Options and recommendations without pressure or guilt
A kid-friendly, not too “medical” environment that lowers anxiety
Doctors who actually like to talk things through and answer questions

We see families from Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham, Pittsboro, and Chatham County, who are looking for thoughtful, not rushed, pediatric care.