Comprehensive Tongue and Lip Tie Treatment – Steel City Pediatric Dentistry's Untied Program

What is Tongue Tie?

At Steel City Pediatric Dentistry, we specialize in providing expert diagnosis and treatment for tongue and lip tie conditions through our specialized Untied program. Our practice, conveniently located in Sewickley, PA, offers laser technology for precise, effective treatment, ensuring your child can experience relief from the complications of tongue-tie or lip-tie in a safe and friendly environment. If your child is experiencing symptoms, our Untied program offers the support you need from pre-op care to post-op recommendations.

Common Signs and Symptoms of a Tie

For Infants (0-18 Months)

Tongue and lip ties can cause significant challenges, especially during feeding. If your infant displays any of the following symptoms, a tongue or lip tie may be the cause:

Shallow latch at the breast or bottle
Frequent gagging, choking, or coughing during feeding
Slow weight gain or difficulty maintaining weight
Clicking or smacking noises while nursing
Reflux or frequent spitting up
Fussiness during or after feeding
Restless sleeping or frequent waking
Mouth breathing or snoring

These issues often lead to frustration for both the infant and the breastfeeding mother, making diagnosis and treatment crucial. If you notice any of these signs, contact us for an assessment.

For Breastfeeding Moms

Breastfeeding mothers can also experience difficulties due to tongue or lip tie. Symptoms you may notice include:

Creased or flattened nipples after nursing
Painful, blistered, or bleeding nipples
Poor breast drainage, plugged ducts, or mastitis
Reduced milk supply
Difficulty nursing without using a nipple shield

If breastfeeding has become painful or challenging, it’s important to address the underlying cause. Our Untied program is designed to help both mother and child overcome these difficulties for a more comfortable feeding experience. Learn more about how we help breastfeeding moms in our patient info section.

For Children (18 Months - 12 Years)

As children grow, tongue and lip ties can present new challenges, especially with speech and eating habits. Common signs in older children include:

Speech delays or difficulty with certain sounds
Frustration while speaking or being difficult to understand
Slow eating or picky eating, particularly with certain textures
Difficulty transitioning to solid foods or a small appetite
Mouth breathing or snoring
Teeth grinding or jaw pain (TMJ symptoms)
Sleeping with the mouth open or restless sleep

If your child is showing these signs, a tongue or lip tie could be affecting their ability to speak or eat properly. Early intervention and treatment can lead to significant improvements. Schedule a consultation with us today to discuss your child’s specific needs.

Pre-Operative Recommendations for Untied Treatment

To ensure the success of our tongue and lip tie treatment, we recommend the following pre-operative steps:

Myofunctional therapy: If your child has issues with feeding, sleeping, or tongue placement, we may suggest myofunctional therapy to prepare the muscles for post-op recovery.
Speech therapy: For children with speech difficulties, speech therapy can be an important part of both pre-op and post-op care.
Lactation consultation: For breastfeeding mothers, working with a lactation consultant can provide valuable guidance on improving feeding techniques and addressing any difficulties caused by a tongue or lip tie.

Our team will work closely with you to ensure all pre-op steps are taken for the best possible outcome. Find out more about our services, including general dentistry, to ensure your child’s oral health is well cared for.

What Are The Benefits Of Tongue-tie Treatment?

After tongue-tie treatment, you and your child will be able to see a noticeable difference in range of motion. Nursing will be much easier for babies, and older children will have a better night’s sleep and improved speech.

Are You Looking For Tongue- Or Lip-tie Treatment In Sewickley, PA?

Tongue-tie and lip-tie can prove to be difficult issues to deal with, but a simple treatment is all that’s needed to stop the discomfort and mobility issues. Do you believe your child has one of these conditions? Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Contact Us for a Tongue and Lip Tie Consultation

Are you concerned that your child may have a tongue or lip tie? Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in their feeding, speech, and development. Contact Steel City Pediatric Dentistry today at 412-313-5176 or email steelcitypediatricdentistry@gmail.com to schedule a consultation and learn more about our Untied program.

Explore more about our services or check our patient info page for further guidance.

Want to schedule
an appointment?

SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT