Tongue Tie & Lip Tie Treatment in Charlotte, NC

When a newborn struggles to latch, a toddler has trouble eating certain textures, or a child develops speech challenges that do not seem to resolve, parents often wonder why, and having a tongue tie or lip tie may be the cause. These conditions are more common than many families expect, and when left untreated, they can affect feeding, speech, oral development, and overall quality of life.

At University Pediatric Dentistry in Charlotte, NC, tongue tie and lip tie treatment is one of our most sought-after pediatric dental services. Dr. Funny has extensive experience evaluating and treating these conditions in infants, children, and adolescents, and our team takes pride in offering families answers, clarity, and a path forward. As a private practice with over 15 years in Charlotte, we understand the urgency parents feel, and we reserve appointments specifically so we can get families in quickly.

Understanding Tongue Tie and Lip Tie

Tongue tie, clinically known as ankyloglossia, occurs when the strip of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short, thick, or tight, restricting the tongue’s normal range of movement. A lip tie occurs when a similar piece of tissue connecting the upper lip to the upper gum is too tight, limiting lip mobility and affecting how a child feeds or uses their mouth.

Both tongue tie and lip tie are present from birth and can range from mild to severe in their impact on a child’s function and development.

Signs Your Child May Have a Tongue Tie or Lip Tie

These conditions can look different depending on the child’s age and the severity of the restriction. Some of the most common signs we see include the following:

• Difficulty latching during breastfeeding: Poor or shallow latch, clicking sounds, nipple pain, inability to flange the upper lip outward during feeding, or prolonged feeding sessions that leave both baby and mother frustrated
• Poor weight gain or frequent reflux: When restricted tongue movement prevents effective feeding, infants may not transfer milk efficiently
• Speech difficulties in older children: Trouble with certain sounds, articulation challenges, or difficulty moving the tongue freely during speech

If any of these patterns sound familiar, a functional assessment with Dr. Funny can help your family find answers.

Getting a Functional Assessment

Before any treatment is recommended, we conduct a thorough evaluation of your child’s tongue and lip mobility, feeding patterns, speech, and overall oral development. To schedule this visit, a referral from a functional assessment provider is required. Our goal is never to recommend treatment that is not clearly warranted. We take a careful, individualized approach and make sure every family fully understands the findings before moving forward. 

How We Treat Tongue Tie and Lip Tie

When treatment is indicated, we may recommend a frenectomy, which is a simple procedure that releases the restrictive tissue to restore normal mobility. At University Pediatric Dentistry, we use laser dentistry to perform frenectomies with precision and minimal discomfort. Laser treatment is quick, requires little to no anesthesia in many cases, and promotes faster healing compared to traditional methods.

The procedure itself is typically brief, and most children recover quickly. We provide detailed post-procedure care instructions and exercises to help the tissue heal properly and support the functional improvements families are looking for. For infants, we encourage parents to resume feeding as soon as possible after the procedure, as feeding itself supports healthy recovery.

What to Expect After Treatment

Many families notice changes right away, particularly with feeding. Breastfeeding mothers often report improvement in latch and comfort within the first few days, while improvements in speech and eating habits in older children may develop more gradually, especially when paired with supportive care from a speech therapist.

Follow-Up and Ongoing Support

We schedule a virtual follow-up visit with a call from Dr. Funny after the procedure to assess healing and address any questions. Our team is accessible and responsive, and if a concern comes up between appointments, we want to hear from you. For families dealing with an urgent concern, we also offer emergency care appointments to accommodate children who need to be seen quickly. Consistent preventive care visits after treatment help us monitor your child’s ongoing oral development and make sure everything continues to progress well.

Tongue Tie and Lip Tie Care at University Pediatric Dentistry in Charlotte, NC

Families across Charlotte trust University Pediatric Dentistry because Dr. Funny brings something rare: the clinical knowledge of a pediatric dental specialist and the perspective of a mother who understands what it means to want answers for your child. With over 15 years of experience as a practice owner, and over 1,000 4.9-star Google reviews, Dr. Funny has built a reputation as one of Charlotte’s most trusted providers for tongue tie and lip tie treatment. Learn more about her background on her doctor profile. We accept Delta Dental PPO and most other PPO plans, with flexible financing available through CareCredi.

If you are concerned your child may have a tongue tie or lip tie, do not wait. Contact our office to schedule a functional assessment with Dr. Funny and take the first step toward answers.