Protect Your Child’s Smile with Lip Tie Release

As a parent, you want to give your child every advantage for a healthy, confident smile. While baby teeth may seem temporary, the way the lips, tongue, and gums develop can have lasting effects on your child’s oral health and facial development. One common but often overlooked condition that can impact both appearance and function is a lip tie—a tight or restrictive upper lip attachment.

At NYC Tongue Tie, our specialists provide gentle, laser-free lip tie release procedures designed to help children eat, speak, and smile more comfortably while promoting healthy dental development.

What Is a Lip Tie?

A lip tie occurs when the labial frenulum—the thin tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum—is too short, thick, or tight. This can restrict the movement of the upper lip and affect how the mouth develops over time.

While some lip ties are mild and cause few symptoms, moderate or severe ties can lead to a variety of issues, especially in infants and young children. In fact, lip ties often run in families, with parents recognizing the same condition in themselves or siblings once it’s identified in their child.

The Link Between Lip Ties and Smile Gaps

One of the most visible signs of a lip tie is a gap between the two upper front teeth, also known as a midline diastema. This occurs because the tight frenulum can pull on the gum tissue and interfere with how the teeth naturally come together as they grow.

Without treatment, a restrictive lip tie may also cause:

• Difficulty brushing near the gumline due to tension
• Gum recession or irritation
• Speech impediments in older children
• Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding difficulties in infants

According to research published in the Journal of Dentistry for Children, up to 15% of children exhibit some form of significant lip tie, and many of these cases are associated with spacing or alignment issues in the front teeth.

By performing a quick and comfortable lip tie release, we can help prevent future orthodontic concerns, minimize gum stress, and support natural tooth alignment.

Gentle, Laser-Free Lip Tie Release

At NYC Tongue Tie, Dr. Greg Levitin uses a precision, laser-free technique for lip tie release that prioritizes comfort, safety, and long-term results. The procedure is performed using specialized micro-instruments that gently separate the tight tissue without heat, eliminating the risk of burns or collateral damage to surrounding tissues.

Key benefits of our laser-free approach include:

• Virtually painless and requires only minimal local anesthetic
• Quick recovery
• No sutures, no burns, and minimal bleeding
• Immediate improvement in lip mobility and comfort

In most cases, the entire procedure takes only a few minutes, and parents can remain with their child the whole time.

The Benefits Go Beyond the Smile

Releasing a lip tie early in childhood can make a big difference in overall oral development. By restoring natural lip mobility, children can:

• Form a proper seal while breastfeeding or eating
• Develop clearer speech as they grow
• Prevent abnormal gum pulling that can affect tooth alignment
• Enjoy a balanced, beautiful smile with fewer orthodontic challenges later

For many families, lip tie release is not only about aesthetics—it’s about promoting better function, comfort, and confidence.

Expert Lip Tie Care in New York City

At NYC Tongue Tie, our compassionate team, led by Dr, Levitin, specializes in diagnosing and treating both lip and tongue ties in infants, children, and adults. We understand how these conditions can impact oral development, and we’re dedicated to helping your child achieve a healthy, natural smile through evidence-based, minimally invasive care.

If you’ve noticed a gap between your child’s front teeth or signs of restricted upper lip movement, it’s worth getting a professional evaluation. Early treatment can prevent years of orthodontic intervention and help ensure a lifetime of confident smiles.

Schedule Your Child’s Lip Tie Consultation Today

Give your child the gift of a beautiful, healthy smile. Contact NYC Tongue Tie today to schedule a consultation and learn how our gentle, laser-free lip tie release can protect your child’s oral health for years to come.