Children are sometimes born with lip or tongue ties, which can have impacts on their health and quality of life. A nursing baby may have difficulty latching. A toddler may develop speech concerns. An older child may show restricted tongue movement during a routine exam.
At Astro Pediatric Dentistry, we use the LightScalpel laser to release tongue and lip ties with minimal discomfort, faster healing, and less bleeding compared to traditional surgical tools. We offer frenectomies to patients of all ages, helping provide lasting relief.
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What Is a Tongue Tie or Lip Tie?
A frenum is a small band of tissue that connects one part of the mouth to another. The lingual frenum connects your child's tongue to the floor of the mouth, while the labial frenum connects your little one's upper lip to the gum tissue above the front teeth. When these bands are too tight, too thick, or attached too far forward, they restrict movement and cause a range of concerns.
Signs that your child may benefit from an evaluation include the following:
- Difficulty latching during breastfeeding or bottle feeding
- Clicking or popping sounds during nursing
- Nipple pain during breastfeeding or poor weight gain in infants
- A gap between the upper front teeth that persists past age 7
- Speech articulation concerns, especially with certain sounds like "l," "r," "t," "d," and "th"
- A "heart-shaped" appearance of the tongue tip when crying or sticking the tongue out
Difficulty moving the tongue side to side or up to the roof of the mouth
What Is a Laser Frenectomy?
A frenectomy involves releasing a tongue or lip tie, restoring the lip or tongue's range of motion, and helping your child's health and quality of life. At Astro Pediatric Dentistry, we utilize the LightScalpel laser to provide a superior patient experience. Unlike traditional scalpels or scissors that "cut" tissue, our CO2 laser uses a highly precise beam of light to vaporize and release the restricted tissue, providing a more comfortable patient experience during and after the procedure.
Laser frenectomies offer numerous benefits, including the following:
- Laser frenectomies require little to no local anesthesia in most cases.
- The laser seals blood vessels as it treats, resulting in minimal to no bleeding.
- The laser is "non-contact," meaning no damage to surrounding tissue, helping reduce inflammation
- The laser destroys bacteria at the treatment site, minimizing the risk of infection.
- In almost all cases, the area heals naturally without the need for sutures.
- Laser frenectomies come with minimal pain or discomfort, enhancing your child's care.
The laser stimulates bio-regeneration, helping your child return to feeding or normal activity almost immediately.
The Importance of Aftercare
After the procedure, we will send you home with detailed instructions for stretching exercises. These exercises help prevent the reattachment of the tissue and help reinforce proper tongue and lip movement patterns during the critical healing window.
If you are currently working with a lactation consultant, speech therapist, or myofunctional therapist, we are happy to coordinate your child's care to ensure the best functional outcome.
Additional Laser Treatments We Offer
In addition to frenectomies, our LightScalpel laser allows us to perform several other soft tissue procedures in-office:
- Gingivectomy: This involves reshaping excess or uneven gum tissue, which is often needed alongside orthodontic treatment.
- Operculectomy: This procedure involves removing gum tissue that partially covers an erupting molar, helping prevent it from trapping food or causing infection.
Ready to Schedule Your Child's Frenectomy Consultation?
New patients are always welcome at Astro Pediatric Dentistry. If you've been searching for "laser frenectomies near me in Fairfield, NJ," we invite you to request an appointment online or call us at (973) 567-7774. We look forward to caring for your child's smile.