Tongue & Lip Tie Release in Centennial Hills, Las Vegas

When your baby struggles to latch, feed comfortably, or gains weight more slowly than expected, a tongue or lip tie may be part of the picture. These small but significant structural concerns involve tight or restrictive tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth, or the lip to the gum, limiting movement in ways that can affect feeding, speech development, and oral function as your child grows. The good news is that a simple, safe release procedure may provide the relief your child needs.

At All Star Kidz Pediatrics, we take a thoughtful, individualized approach to evaluating and treating tongue and lip ties in children throughout Centennial Hills and the greater Las Vegas area. Our pediatric dental services are built around the belief that every child deserves attentive, compassionate care, and Dr. Lamb brings board-certified training and years of experience to every evaluation. We take the time to understand your child’s specific situation before recommending any treatment path.

What Are Tongue and Lip Ties?

Tongue tie, also called ankyloglossia, occurs when the lingual frenulum — the small band of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth — is too short or tight. This restriction can limit how freely the tongue moves. Lip tie involves a similar condition affecting the labial frenulum, the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum line, which can interfere with lip movement and oral function. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that an estimated 4% to 10% of newborns have tongue tie. While not every case requires intervention, ties that create real functional challenges for feeding, speech, or oral development may benefit from a frenectomy, a gentle procedure to release the restrictive tissue. Signs Your Child May Have a Tongue or Lip Tie Every child is different, and the symptoms associated with tongue and lip ties can vary widely depending on your child’s age and the severity of the restriction. Common signs parents notice include:

Difficulty latching or feeding, particularly in newborns and infants
Poor weight gain or prolonged feedings
Clicking sounds during nursing or bottle feeding
A notched or heart-shaped appearance to the tongue tip
Difficulty lifting the tongue or moving it side to side
Speech sound errors, particularly with sounds like “t,” “d,” “l,” “n,” or “r”
A gap between the upper front teeth caused by a tight lip tie

If you have noticed any of these concerns, bringing your child in for an evaluation is a positive first step. Early attention to these issues can make a meaningful difference in your child’s comfort and development.

Our Approach to Tongue and Lip Tie Release

At All Star Kidz Pediatrics, we believe in honest evaluations and clear communication. Not every frenulum that appears tight requires intervention, and we take care to confirm that a functional issue truly exists before recommending a release procedure. Dr. Lamb conducts a thorough assessment of your child’s oral function, taking into account feeding history, speech development, dental development, and the physical appearance of the frenulum.

What to Expect During the Procedure

A frenectomy for tongue or lip tie release is typically a brief, straightforward procedure. Dr. Lamb uses a gentle technique to release the restrictive tissue, and the entire appointment is usually completed in a single visit. We prioritize your child’s comfort throughout, and for younger children or those with dental anxiety, sedation options may be available to ensure a calm, stress-free experience. For children who need additional support during the procedure, Dr. Lamb’s background in pediatric sedation dentistry allows us to tailor the experience to your child’s individual needs. He has extensive training in sedation techniques for children of all ages, including those with special needs or heightened anxiety, and he will walk you through every option so you feel confident before the procedure begins.

Recovery and Aftercare

Most children recover quickly after a frenectomy. The appointment is brief, and your child can typically resume normal feeding right away. Dr. Lamb will walk you through exactly what to watch for at home and what’s normal in the first few days after the procedure. We schedule a follow-up to make sure your child is healing well and that the concerns that brought you in have improved. We also want to make sure you feel supported after you leave our office. If you have questions during recovery, our team is easy to reach. We are committed to being available for the families we serve, and Dr. Lamb responds to messages outside of regular hours so you are never left waiting for answers when something feels off. We are also happy to discuss how routine checkups and cleanings fit into your child’s ongoing care plan as they grow.

Why Tongue and Lip Ties Matter for Your Child

The mouth does a lot of quiet work that parents don’t always think about until something seems off. The tongue needs to move freely to latch during feeding, to position food during chewing, and to form sounds as a child learns to talk. When the tissue holding the tongue down is too short or tight, those everyday functions become harder than they should be. The same is true for the lip — if the upper lip can’t flange outward freely, it can interfere with how a baby seals around a nipple or bottle.

How Tongue and Lip Ties Affect Feeding

Feeding difficulties are often the first thing parents notice. A baby with a tongue or lip tie may struggle to latch and stay latched, take in air while feeding, tire out before finishing, or pull off frequently. You might notice clicking sounds during nursing or bottle feeding, or that your baby seems frustrated and uncomfortable at every feeding. Slow weight gain is another common concern that brings families in for an evaluation. These challenges are not a reflection of how you are feeding your child. They often come down to how freely the tongue and lip can move. When the tissue is releasing normally, feeding tends to become noticeably easier for both the baby and the parent. If you have been told your latch looks fine but feeding still feels hard, it is worth having Dr. Lamb take a look at your child’s oral structure.

How Tongue Ties Can Affect Speech and Development

As children grow past infancy, parents sometimes start noticing that certain sounds are harder for their child to make. Sounds like “t,” “d,” “l,” “n,” and “r” all require the tongue to lift and move toward the roof of the mouth. When the lingual frenulum is too tight, that movement is restricted, and those sounds may come out differently than expected. Some children also have difficulty licking their lips, sticking their tongue out, or eating certain textures comfortably. It is worth noting that not every child with a tongue tie will have speech or feeding difficulties, and not every speech or articulation challenge is caused by one. Dr. Lamb evaluates each child carefully and takes the time to explain what he finds. If a release may help, he will tell you why and what to expect. If something else is going on, he will help point you in the right direction. His goal is always to give you clear, honest information so you can make the best decision for your child. He also offers early dental care that looks at oral development as a whole, not just individual concerns in isolation.

What Happens During the Evaluation

When you bring your child in, Dr. Lamb starts by listening. He wants to hear what you have been noticing at home, how long the concerns have been present, and how they are affecting your child day to day. From there, he performs a gentle hands-on assessment of your child’s tongue and lip movement, looking at the frenulum, how far the tongue can elevate and extend, and whether there is any visible restriction affecting function. Dr. Lamb will explain what he finds in plain language and tell you clearly whether he thinks a release may help. He does not recommend the procedure unless there is a real functional reason to do so. If your child does not need one, he will tell you that too. Every family leaves the appointment with a clear understanding of what is going on and what the options are, so you can make a confident decision without pressure.

Why Families in Centennial Hills Choose All Star Kidz Pediatrics

Parents choose All Star Kidz Pediatrics because Dr. Lamb makes them feel heard. He is not a high-volume practice where families feel rushed through. He takes the time to sit with you, answer your questions, and make sure you understand what he is seeing before anything happens. That kind of unhurried, honest care is hard to find, and it is something families in Centennial Hills, Summerlin, North Las Vegas, and the surrounding communities count on. Dr. Lamb is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, the highest certification level available in pediatric dentistry. He completed his residency at UNLV and has spent his entire career caring for children in the Las Vegas area. He is also available by text outside of regular office hours, so if something comes up after your child’s procedure and you have a question, you are not waiting until Monday morning to get an answer. We accept all major insurance, including Medicaid, so families throughout our community can access this care without added financial stress.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Your first visit starts with a conversation. Dr. Lamb will ask about the concerns you have noticed, review your child’s history, and then perform a gentle in-office assessment. If a frenectomy is recommended, the procedure itself is typically completed the same day or at a short follow-up appointment, depending on your child’s age and comfort level. The release takes only a few minutes, and most children tolerate it very well. For younger children or those who may need a little extra help staying calm, Dr. Lamb offers pediatric sedation options to keep the experience as comfortable as possible. He will walk you through what is available and help you decide what makes sense based on your child’s age, temperament, and how much is involved. Before you leave, you will have clear instructions for what to watch for at home and how to reach us if questions come up. We do follow-up care to confirm your child is healing well and that the concerns that brought you in have improved.

Schedule a Tongue and Lip Tie Evaluation at All Star Kidz Pediatrics

If something feels off with how your baby is feeding, or if your toddler is having trouble with sounds you expected them to have by now, trust that instinct and bring it in. Dr. Lamb will take you seriously, evaluate your child carefully, and give you a straight answer. We have helped families across Centennial Hills, Summerlin, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and the surrounding Las Vegas area get answers and relief they did not realize was possible. Getting started is simple. Call us, text us, or use the button below to book online. Contact All Star Kidz Pediatrics today to schedule your child’s tongue and lip tie evaluation, and let us help you figure out what is going on and what, if anything, can be done about it.

Where to Find Us

Welcome! We’re looking forward to meeting and getting to know you and your child at their first “Happy Visit!”.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tongue and Lip Tie Release

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

The most common signs parents notice are difficulty latching, frequent pulling off during feeding, clicking sounds while nursing or bottle feeding, slow weight gain, and a baby who seems frustrated or uncomfortable at every feeding. For older children, trouble making certain sounds like “t,” “d,” “l,” or “r” can also be a sign. If something about feeding or speech feels off, it is worth bringing your child in so Dr. Lamb can take a look and give you a clear answer.

Does my child need a tongue tie release, or will it resolve on its own?

Not every tongue or lip tie causes functional problems, and not every one needs treatment. Dr. Lamb evaluates each child individually and only recommends a release when there is a real reason to do so. If your child is feeding well, gaining weight normally, and developing speech on track, a tie that is present structurally may not require any intervention. He will tell you exactly what he finds and what, if anything, makes sense to do about it.

Is the procedure painful for my child?

Dr. Lamb uses a gentle technique and takes every step to keep your child comfortable. Most children tolerate the procedure very well, and for those who need extra support, sedation options are available. The release itself takes only a few minutes. Some mild soreness afterward is normal and typically resolves quickly. Dr. Lamb will give you clear aftercare instructions before you leave so you know exactly what to watch for at home.

How long does recovery take after a tongue or lip tie release?

Most children recover quickly. Feeding can typically resume right away, and any discomfort at the release site usually settles within a few days. Dr. Lamb will schedule a follow-up to confirm your child is healing well and that the concerns that brought you in have improved. He is also reachable by text outside of regular office hours if questions come up before your follow-up appointment.

Does insurance cover tongue and lip tie release?

Coverage varies by plan, but many insurance plans, including Medicaid, may cover a frenectomy when it is medically necessary. Our team will help you understand your benefits before the appointment so there are no surprises. We accept all major insurance and are committed to making sure families across Centennial Hills and the surrounding Las Vegas area can access the care their children need.