Frenectomy in Peterborough, ON

We’re here to help little smiles move, speak, and feed more freely. A gentle, precise frenectomy can help improve your child’s ability to eat, speak, and thrive—right here in a caring, supportive environment.

Gentle Pediatric Frenectomies in Peterborough

Some babies and children are born with extra tissue under the tongue (tongue-tie) or upper lip (lip-tie) that can restrict movement and create challenges with feeding, speech, or oral development. At Cornerstone Family Dentistry, we offer gentle pediatric frenectomy procedures to relieve these restrictions and support healthy growth from the very start.

Improving Function from the First Days

When tongue or lip ties make breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or early speech development difficult, a simple frenectomy can provide immediate relief. This quick, low-discomfort procedure removes the excess tissue, allowing your child to move their mouth more freely—and often improving function right away.

Quick, Comfortable, and Parent-Approved

We use precise techniques to make the experience as gentle and efficient as possible. Most frenectomies take only a few minutes and require little to no recovery time. Parents often notice immediate improvements in feeding, latch, and comfort, especially in newborns.

Long-Term Benefits for Oral Development

Left untreated, oral restrictions can lead to long-term issues such as speech delays, dental crowding, or challenges with proper tongue posture. A frenectomy helps set your child up for better function as they grow—supporting proper swallowing, breathing, and jaw development.

A woman and a child look at a tablet together while sitting on a couch.

Age-Appropriate Care for Every Stage

Infants & Newborns

For our youngest patients, frenectomies help:

Improve breastfeeding and bottle feeding
Reduce nipple pain and feeding frustration
Encourage stronger bonding between baby and parent

We work closely with parents and lactation consultants to guide you through the process with confidence.

Toddlers & Preschoolers

At this stage, frenectomies may help if your child is experiencing:

Delayed or unclear speech
Trouble eating solid foods
Difficulty moving the tongue or lip normally

Our team explains every step in a calm, child-friendly way to help your little one feel at ease.

School-Aged Children

For older children, tongue- or lip-tie releases can improve:

Speech articulation
Oral hygiene habits
Long-term orthodontic development

We coordinate care with your child’s speech therapist or orthodontist as needed.

Our Team

Say Hello to Peterborough’s Smile Experts

Our team shares a commitment to excellence and a passion for creating healthy, confident smiles. We'll treat you like family, delivering the highest standard of care in a warm, welcoming environment.

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Modern Care for Better Outcomes

Experience the difference of modern dentistry with our state-of-the-art CEREC technology, offering same-day crowns and restorations. No more temporary crowns or return visits – get your perfect smile in a single appointment.

Same-Day Emergency Care

Life doesn't wait for dental emergencies, and neither do we. Our dedicated team provides same-day emergency appointments, ensuring you get prompt relief when you need it most.

What to Expect from Your Child’s Frenectomy

Before Your Visit

To help us provide the most informed care, we recommend:

Sharing your child’s medical and feeding history, including any symptoms like poor latch, weight gain concerns, or speech delays
Bringing any assessments or referrals from your lactation consultant, pediatrician, or speech therapist
Preparing a list of questions—we’ll take time to answer each one and help you feel fully informed about the process

During the Visit

We keep the entire experience gentle, clear, and efficient for both you and your child.

Evaluation: One of our dentists will carefully examine your child’s mouth using age-appropriate tools to assess the lip or tongue restriction. This is quick and non-invasive.
Discussion: We explain what we see, how it may be affecting your child, and whether a frenectomy is the right next step. You’ll have time to ask questions and decide on care with confidence.
Treatment: If a release is recommended and you choose to proceed, we use precise techniques to gently remove or loosen the tight tissue. The procedure typically takes just a few minutes and is done in our treatment room with you close by.
Aftercare Instructions: We’ll teach you how to care for the area during healing and provide guidance on post-treatment stretches to prevent the tissue from reattaching. You’ll leave with written instructions and our full support if you need help afterward.

Most babies and children are able to return to feeding or playing shortly after the procedure, with many parents noticing improvements right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this covered by insurance?

Many insurance plans cover frenectomies when medically necessary. Our team will help you review your coverage and explain any out-of-pocket costs.

Will this help my child’s speech?

If a tight frenum is contributing to speech difficulty, a frenectomy may help. In some cases, additional support from a speech therapist may be beneficial.

What’s the recovery like?

Healing is usually quick. Some fussiness is normal, but most children feel better within a day or two. We provide aftercare instructions and stretches to support healing.

How do I know if my baby has a tongue-tie or lip-tie?

Common signs include difficulty latching, poor weight gain, gassy feeding, prolonged nursing, or nipple pain for the parent during breastfeeding.

How long does the frenectomy take?

Most treatments take less than 5 minutes. You’ll be able to hold and comfort your child immediately afterward.

Are follow-up visits needed?

We may schedule a quick follow-up to check healing and function, especially for infants. We’re also here to answer any concerns you may have at home.

Will my baby be able to nurse right after the procedure?

Yes, in most cases. Many babies latch better and feed more efficiently right after the release.

Is the procedure safe for babies?

Yes. Frenectomies are safe, quick, and widely recommended by pediatricians and lactation consultants when functional issues are present.

Will my child feel pain during the procedure?

We use gentle, age-appropriate methods and can apply numbing gel if needed. The procedure is very fast and generally well tolerated.

What is a frenectomy?

A frenectomy is a minor procedure that removes or releases the small band of tissue (frenum) under the tongue or upper lip when it’s too tight.

Connect with Us

We’d love to make your next dental visit a great one! Call (705) 996-7035 or schedule online to book your appointment—we’ll be in touch soon to confirm.

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