At Redwood Pediatric Dentistry, we provide personalized pediatric frenectomy in Oakland, CA for children with tongue ties, lip ties, and restricted oral tissue movement. Dr. Niekia Franklin carefully evaluates each child’s oral function, development, and comfort to determine whether frenectomy treatment may be appropriate. Our goal is to help families understand their child’s needs and explore options that support healthy oral development.
A pediatric frenectomy is a procedure that releases a restrictive frenulum, which is the small band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth or the upper lip to the gums. When this tissue limits movement, it may affect functions such as feeding, oral movement, speech development, or maintaining proper oral hygiene.
Not every tongue tie or lip tie requires treatment. A complete evaluation helps determine whether restricted tissue is affecting your child’s daily function and whether intervention may be beneficial. At Redwood Pediatric Dentistry, we consider your child’s age, oral development, symptoms, and overall needs before recommending care.
At Redwood Pediatric Dentistry, select frenectomies are performed with the LightScalpel CO₂ laser, a soft-tissue laser designed for procedures such as tongue-tie and lip-tie releases. Its precise CO₂ laser energy allows controlled treatment of the restricted tissue while helping manage bleeding during the procedure. Dr. Franklin evaluates each child individually before recommending laser frenectomy, considering the location and extent of the restriction, the child’s age, and overall treatment needs when appropriate for the child.
The CO₂ laser allows controlled treatment of the restricted frenum, helping Dr. Franklin target the tissue involved in a tongue-tie or lip-tie release.
The laser’s coagulation capability can help control bleeding during the procedure, providing a clearer treatment area while the restricted tissue is released.
Because laser frenectomy can provide controlled soft-tissue treatment and hemostasis, sutures may not be needed in selected cases, depending on the procedure and the child’s individual needs.
Dr. Niekia Franklin is a board-certified pediatric dentist dedicated to providing personalized dental care for infants, children, and teenagers. Her pediatric training helps her understand the unique oral development needs of children, including concerns related to tongue ties, lip ties, and restricted oral movement.
Dr. Franklin takes time to listen to parents, evaluate each child individually, and explain findings clearly. Her approach focuses on helping families understand their options while creating a comfortable and supportive dental experience for every child.
Her credentials include:
Tongue ties and lip ties can affect children differently depending on their age, development, and daily challenges. At Redwood Pediatric Dentistry, we focus on careful evaluation, personalized recommendations, and supportive care designed around your child’s individual needs.
Children’s oral structures continue changing as they grow. Our pediatric-focused approach considers oral development, movement, and function when evaluating tongue ties and lip ties.
Every child’s situation is different. We carefully assess how restricted tissue may affect your child before discussing whether frenectomy treatment is appropriate.
Our team creates a supportive environment with clear communication and gentle guidance to help children feel comfortable. If needed, sedation may also be provided to help your child feel more at ease during treatment.
We explain evaluation findings, discuss available options, and help parents understand their child’s condition so they can make informed care decisions.
Our pediatric frenectomy services focus on evaluating tongue ties and lip ties while helping families understand how restricted oral tissues may affect their child’s function and development.
A tongue tie, also called ankyloglossia, occurs when the tissue beneath the tongue limits normal tongue movement. We evaluate how the restriction affects oral function and determine whether tongue tie release may be recommended.
A lip tie occurs when the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums restricts normal movement. Our team evaluates whether a lip tie may be affecting feeding, oral comfort, hygiene, or other daily functions.
Understanding tongue ties and lip ties can be challenging for families. We provide clear explanations about evaluation findings, possible treatment options, and the factors considered when creating a care plan.
When restricted oral tissue affects movement or daily activities, a pediatric frenectomy may help improve mobility and comfort. Treatment decisions are always based on a detailed evaluation of your child’s specific needs, symptoms, and oral development.
A frenectomy may help improve movement of the tongue or lip when restrictive tissue limits normal function.
For some infants and children, restricted oral movement may contribute to feeding difficulties. Evaluation helps determine whether treatment may provide support.
Healthy tongue and lip movement can make everyday things like eating, speaking, and keeping the mouth clean easier. Regular preventive care also helps us keep an eye on your child’s oral development as they grow.
Every frenectomy visit begins with understanding your child’s needs. Our team focuses on evaluation, communication, and personalized planning before recommending treatment.
We assess your child’s oral tissues, movement, development, medical history, and concerns to understand how a tongue tie or lip tie may be affecting function.
Dr. Franklin will go over what she finds and talk to you about the next steps. That may include monitoring the area, providing additional support, discussing a frenectomy, or considering other minimally invasive treatment options when appropriate.
If treatment is recommended, we’ll walk you through what to expect and make sure the procedure is planned around your child’s comfort and needs. Depending on the situation, laser dentistry may also be discussed as part of their care.
After treatment, we provide parents with instructions and recommendations to support healing and continued oral development.
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Parents appreciate our honest communication, thoughtful guidance, and commitment to empowering families with the knowledge they need to make confident decisions about their child’s health.
Signs may include limited tongue movement, feeding challenges, difficulty with certain oral movements, or concerns related to oral function. A pediatric dental evaluation can determine whether restricted tissue is affecting your child.
No. Some children with tongue ties or lip ties may not need treatment. A thorough evaluation helps determine whether the restriction affects function and whether intervention is appropriate.
When properly evaluated and recommended, pediatric frenectomy can be a safe treatment option for children who may benefit from releasing restricted tissue. Your pediatric dentist will review your child’s specific situation before recommending treatment.
In some cases, restricted tongue movement may contribute to feeding challenges. A professional evaluation can help determine whether a tongue tie may be affecting your child’s feeding experience.
A tongue tie, also called ankyloglossia, involves restrictive tissue beneath the tongue that can limit tongue movement. A lip tie involves tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums that may restrict lip movement. Both require individual evaluation to determine whether they are affecting function.
Redwood Pediatric Dentistry provides pediatric frenectomy in Oakland, CA for families seeking specialized evaluation and care for tongue ties, lip ties, and restricted oral tissues. Our child-focused office provides personalized recommendations based on each child’s oral development, comfort, and individual needs.
We proudly serve families throughout Oakland and nearby communities, including Montclair, Piedmont, Alameda, Berkeley, and surrounding Bay Area areas. Whether your child needs a tongue tie evaluation, lip tie assessment, or guidance about frenectomy options, our team is here to provide supportive pediatric dental care focused on function, comfort, and healthy development.
