Patient Education
Questions and Answers about Ear Anomalies
When should you start ear molding?
Ear molding is most successful when started within the first 2 weeks of life.
How long is ear molding treatment?
Typical treatment is between 6-8 weeks.
How does ear molding work?
Ear molding is like braces, but for the ears. Using custom molding, we put the ear in the anatomically correct position and the ear memorizes this shape.
What are the advantages of ear molding?
Ear molding can correct ear deformities or malformations before self-consciousness begins later in childhood. Ear molding reduces the need for surgical correction and can often achieve better outcomes.
What are the downsides of ear molding?
Ear molding is relatively well tolerated. The downsides include having to shave a portion of your child’s hair, skin irritation/breakdown, and keeping the ear/molding dry.
Questions and Answers about Tongue Ties
What is Tongue-Tie/Ankyloglossia?
Tongue-tie, or ankyloglossia, is the presence of a lingual frenulum or membrane attaching to the base of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. In many cases it doesn’t cause any issues, though in approximated 5-10% of babies it can restrict tongue movement and affect their ability to breastfeed.
What are the symptoms of Tongue-tie?
Symptoms can include latching issues, clicking while feeding, nipple pain, creased nipples, poor milk extraction, prolonged feeds, and poor weight gain.
What is a frenulectomy?
It’s a simple surgical procedure that can easily be done in the office. It involves using a small injection of local anesthesia to numb the area under the tongue. The pathologic tissue is then released to the normal base of the tongue.
What are the risks?
Risks of the procedure are very low, though do include pain, bleeding, reoccurrence, and damage to surround structures.
What does recovery look like?
Recovery is easy. You can feed your baby immediately. Most parents don’t notice a change in temperament of their infant. In some cases, we will have you do tongue exercises. Otherwise, you can continue taking care of your baby as you normally would.
Questions and Answers about Lip Ties
What is a lip tie?
A lip tie is when the frenulum of the upper lip restricts movement so severely that it affects breastfeeding.
When does this need to be released?
Lip frenulum uncommonly needs to be released in infancy.
