Why Parents End Up Here
Most parents have never heard the word 'frenectomy' before they're sitting in a lactation consultant's office or a pediatrician's exam room. Then someone says, 'Your baby might need one,' and suddenly you're Googling at midnight, trying to figure out what it means, whether it hurts, and whether your baby actually needs it.
This guide is for that parent. We'll walk through what a baby frenectomy is in plain English, how it's done, what recovery looks like, and how the team at Latched Beginnings in Austin thinks about it. No fear-based talk. No pressure. Just the information you need to make a decision that feels right for your family.
What a Baby Frenectomy Actually Is
A baby frenectomy is a quick in-office procedure that releases a tight piece of tissue (a frenulum) in your baby's mouth. There are three places where this tissue can be restricted: under the tongue (tongue-tie or ankyloglossia), between the upper lip and the gum (lip-tie), and inside the cheeks (buccal-tie).
When that tissue is too tight, too short, or attached in the wrong place, it can limit how the tongue, lip, or cheek moves during feeding. The result is often the cluster of issues we see every day at Latched Beginnings: painful breastfeeding, shallow latch, gas and reflux, slow weight gain, and exhausted families.
A frenectomy releases that restriction. Done well, the procedure takes just a few minutes per site and is followed by a few weeks of recovery and oral exercises.
Frenotomy vs Frenectomy: Is There a Difference?
The terms get used interchangeably, but technically a frenotomy is a simple cut of the frenulum (often with scissors), and a frenectomy is the complete release of the restrictive tissue (often with a laser). At Latched Beginnings, we use the LightScalpel CO2 laser, which is the gold standard in tongue-tie treatment. It's precise, sterile, and typically associated with less bleeding and faster healing than scissor releases.
What Tissue Gets Released
The procedure releases the lingual frenulum (under the tongue), the labial frenulum (under the upper lip), and the buccal frenula (inside the cheeks), depending on which restrictions are present. Many babies have more than one tie. A thorough evaluation looks at all of them together rather than treating them one at a time.
How a Baby Frenectomy Is Done
Most parents are surprised by how quick the procedure actually is. From start to finish, the release itself usually takes 5 to 10 minutes per site. Here's what to expect in our Austin office.
Step 1: Consultation and Evaluation
Before any procedure, Dr. Kacie Culotta, DDS does a full in-person consultation. She watches a feed, examines your baby's mouth, evaluates tongue mobility, and talks through everything she sees with you. This is a no-pressure conversation. If a frenectomy is appropriate, she'll explain why. If it isn't, she'll tell you that too.
Step 2: Comfort Measures
On the day of the procedure, your baby is swaddled and a topical numbing gel is applied. Babies are kept calm with positioning and comfort measures. Many feed within minutes of the release.
Step 3: The Release
Dr. Culotta uses the LightScalpel CO2 laser to release the restricted tissue. The laser cauterizes as it cuts, which means minimal bleeding and a sterile environment. Most babies cry briefly during the procedure, similar to a vaccine reaction. The release itself takes a few minutes.
Step 4: Feed and Recovery
Right after the release, you'll have the opportunity to feed your baby. Many parents notice a deeper latch immediately. Others see improvements over the next week or two as the tongue learns to move differently. You'll go home with a customized post-op care plan.
What Recovery Looks Like
Recovery is the part most parents have the most questions about. Here's the honest version. Babies are usually mildly fussy for 24 to 72 hours after the release. Sleep can be a little disrupted for a few nights. By the end of the first week, most babies are settled.
You'll do gentle oral exercises a few times a day for several weeks to prevent reattachment. These look intimidating in the printout but become routine fast. We walk every family through them in person and check in at follow-ups.
Most babies are eating normally within 24 hours and feeding noticeably better within 1 to 2 weeks. Full functional improvement, especially for moms recovering from cracked nipples or low supply, often takes 2 to 6 weeks. Patience and bodywork support help the whole picture come together.
Does a Frenectomy Hurt?
This is the question every parent asks. The honest answer is that there is some discomfort, but less than parents typically expect. The procedure itself takes minutes and is performed with topical anesthetic. Babies cry, but the crying is usually from being held still more than from the release.
The few days after the procedure are when babies are most uncomfortable. Many parents describe their baby as a little fussy and clingier than usual. Most use only over-the-counter infant pain relief if anything. By day 3 or 4, most babies are noticeably calmer.
We'd never tell you a frenectomy is nothing. It is a real procedure. But for the right baby, it's a short window of discomfort in exchange for a lifetime of easier feeding, better sleep, and healthier oral development.
Who's a Good Candidate for a Baby Frenectomy?
Not every baby with a frenulum needs a release. A frenectomy is recommended when there's a functional issue (feeding difficulty, weight gain concerns, persistent maternal pain, airway concerns) and a visible or palpable restriction.
At Latched Beginnings, we follow a conservative philosophy that aligns with the American Academy of Pediatrics' guidance on avoiding overdiagnosis. We look at the whole baby. We coordinate with lactation consultants and bodyworkers in the Austin area. And we only recommend a release when we believe it will meaningfully improve outcomes for your specific baby.
How Latched Beginnings Approaches Infant Frenectomies in Austin
When you've been struggling with feeding for weeks, the last thing you want is to feel rushed into a decision. That's why every consultation at Latched Beginnings starts with listening.
Dr. Kacie Culotta, DDS is the only dentist in Austin who holds both a laser certification for tongue-tie releases and a lactation counselor certification. That dual training matters because feeding is structural and functional at the same time. She uses the LightScalpel CO2 laser, the gold standard for infant frenectomies, in a calm office environment with an all-mom team who understands what your family is going through.
We won't pressure you. We will give you a full picture, walk you through every option, and support you whether you decide to move forward or not. Healthy beginnings that last a lifetime start with the right call, not the fastest one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a baby frenectomy take?
The frenectomy itself takes 5 to 10 minutes per site, with the full appointment usually running 60 to 90 minutes including the consultation, comfort measures, post-procedure feeding, and recovery instructions. Most Austin families are in and out within an hour and a half.
Is a baby frenectomy painful for a newborn?
Most newborns experience brief discomfort during the procedure and mild fussiness for 24 to 72 hours afterward. We apply a topical numbing gel before the laser release, and the LightScalpel CO2 laser is associated with less pain and bleeding than scissor releases. Many babies feed comfortably within minutes.
What is the youngest age for a frenectomy?
Babies as young as 1 to 2 days old can have a frenectomy if feeding issues are present and a clear restriction is identified. Most of the babies we see at Latched Beginnings are between 1 day and 12 weeks of age. Earlier is often easier because younger babies tend to recover and adapt faster.
How much does a baby frenectomy cost in Austin?
Costs vary by provider and case complexity, but infant frenectomies in the Austin area typically range from about $600 to $1,500 for the procedure itself, with consultation fees billed separately. We provide a fixed quote during your consultation so you'll know the exact investment before scheduling. Many HSA and FSA accounts cover the procedure.
Do babies sleep better after a frenectomy?
Many families report improved sleep within 2 to 6 weeks after a frenectomy, especially in babies who were waking frequently due to inefficient feeding or airway restriction. Not every baby's sleep changes, but better feeding mechanics often lead to fuller feeds, longer stretches, and a more settled baby overall.
What are the downsides of a baby frenectomy?
The main downsides are mild post-procedure discomfort for a few days, the commitment to daily oral exercises for several weeks, the possibility of reattachment if exercises are skipped, and the cost. For the right baby, the benefits outweigh these. For the wrong baby, the procedure isn't recommended in the first place.
Can a frenectomy be done with scissors instead of a laser?
Yes. Some providers use scissors, especially for anterior tongue-ties. The CO2 laser, however, allows for greater precision, less bleeding, faster healing, and a sterile field. At Latched Beginnings, we use the LightScalpel CO2 laser, which is widely considered the gold standard for infant frenectomies.
Where can I get my baby a frenectomy in Austin?
Latched Beginnings is located at 1701 Simond Ave, Suite 107A in Austin and serves families from Mueller, East Austin, North Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Leander, and Georgetown. Dr. Kacie Culotta, DDS is the only Austin dentist with both laser certification for tongue-tie release and lactation counselor certification.
Call to Action
If you've been wondering whether your baby might have a tongue-tie, you don't have to figure it out alone. Dr. Kacie Culotta and the all-mom team at Latched Beginnings are here to listen, evaluate, and walk you through what's actually going on with your baby. Schedule a 1-on-1 consultation in Austin and let's talk through it together. Trust your instincts. We'll take it from there.
