Our dentists perform lip and tongue-tie procedures to help little ones' smiles stay healthy from the start! Tethered Oral Tissue Syndrome (TOTS) can be present at all ages, and with over 3,500 TOTS cases successfully treated at the office, Dr. Kusek and his team are prepared to help you address these concerns from start to finish.
Recognizing the Symptoms of a Lip and Tongue Tie
Tongue and lip ties are the result of thick or malformed oral tissues. Tongue ties occur when the lingual frenulum (the membrane connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth) is thick, short, or malformed. The tongue's tip becomes attached to the floor of the mouth, restricting the regular movement and function of the tongue. Lip ties happen when the frenulum connecting the upper or lower lip to the gums is thick, short, or improperly formed, thus affecting the lip's mobility.
One of the most common and easily recognizable indications of the presence of lip and tongue ties in a child is difficulty in breastfeeding. Common symptoms include:
- Difficulty latching on to the mother's breast
- Struggle breathing during feeding
- The child makes a clicking sound during nursing
- The child often falls asleep often while nursing
- The child becomes tired after nursing
- Slow or lack of weight gain
- Colic or gastric problems
And for the breastfeeding mother, this condition may manifest as the following symptoms:
- Pain in the breast during or after breastfeeding
- Fatigue from breastfeeding
- Blocked milk ducts or mastitis
How Do Lip and Tongue Ties Affect the Baby's Nourishment?
A lip or tongue tie restricts the movement of a baby's lip or tongue, and this can impact their ability to breastfeed or eat. A baby with a lip or tongue tie will find it difficult to latch or swallow properly as their tongue cannot reach out far enough to latch onto the mother's breast. If the baby is unable to latch properly, the baby may not get enough milk, and this can lead to excessive weight loss. If they are unable to eat properly, the baby can suffer malnutrition.
When a tongue or lip tie causes issues with breastfeeding, treating the tongue and lip tie at the earliest is recommended.
TOTS Treatment for Lip & Tongue Ties
TOTs treatment refers to Tethered Oral Tissues, and treats the restriction of the tongue, lips or cheeks due to excess tissue. Left untreated, tethered tissue or a "tongue tie" can affect a young patient's ability to eat, speak, swallow, feed, and more. The development of an infant's facial features, airways, dental structures and speech development can be severely impacted.
At Kusek Family & Implant Dentistry, we offer frenectomies for tongue tie treatment using the latest technologies to quickly release tethered tissue. Using our advanced Deka laser technology, our skilled dentists can perform fast, effective frenectomies to restore healthy smiles and proper overall development.
Why Our Office Stands Out With TOTS
- Dr. Kusek trained under Dr. Kotlow, one of the first doctors to recognize that tongue ties can cause lifelong issues. To date, Dr. Kusek remains the only dentist in South Dakota who has learned from this pioneer professional.
- Dr. Kusek previously taught the TOTS curriculum and Tufts University and currently runs his own training course in Sioux Falls to teach other dentists and professionals about the TOTS procedure.
- Dr. Kusek is a key opinion leader for companies of Ultradent, Deka, Biosure, ProBiora, and Armor Dental. This means he is at the forefront of new products that have not yet come to market and, in many cases, is a beta tester for these companies. No other dentist in South Dakota has these affiliations with cutting-edge dental companies.
- Dr. Kusek holds a Mastership level at the Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD). He is also a recognized course provider for this academy and was the president of the organization in 2020.
- Thanks to his implant and surgical training, Dr. Kusek has extensive surgical experience in the oral cavity that pediatricians and pediatric dentists do not have. Such training offers a comprehensive understanding of the anatomy in this area, which is incredibly important to perform the procedure correctly while avoiding complications. With the addition of ACLS training, you can rest assured that our office maintains a high level of safety and preparedness to keep you and your loved ones safe.
- Kusek Family and Implant Dentistry has a Diplomate level sleep apnea provider, the only one in Sioux Falls. This is important as TOTS doesn’t just affect breastfeeding, but also the growth and development of the airway! Untreated TOTS can create sleep apnea issues if not treated early, but can be corrected with a combination of these treatments.
Healthy Smiles for All Ages in Sioux Falls
At Kusek Family & Implant Dentistry, we offer a full range of services, including lip and tongue tie surgeries to protect young patients' best health. Call today to learn more about scheduling your next visit or surgical consultation.
