Laser Frenectomies

Gentle And Expert Tongue-Tie And Lip Tie Releases

At Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry, we take a conservative approach to your child’s dental treatment, meaning that we only suggest a laser frenectomy if we believe your child will truly benefit from it. When necessary, tongue-tie and lip tie releases can be the key to breastfeeding success or help to improve your child’s ability to chew, speak and even breathe more easily while sleeping. Learn more about our gentle approach to tongue-tie and lip tie releases with laser frenectomies!

Toddler playing with a toothbrush and stuffed dragon toy at Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry.

What Are Laser Frenectomies?

A frenectomy is a procedure that treats (releases) a tongue-tie or lip tie, conditions that limit how well your baby or child can move their tongue. They are caused by the frenum, or the thin strip of tissue in the mouth that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth or that connects the lips to the gums. Unlike traditional frenectomies which use sterile scissors, laser frenectomies involve precisely slicing the tie with a surgical laser, allowing for better comfort.

Who Might Need It?

Babies and children with tongue-tie or lip ties have frenums that are too short or thick, restricting tongue and lip mobility, and they may benefit from laser frenectomies. At Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry, our pediatric dentists want your child to thrive, not just tread water. Though laser frenectomies are minimally invasive procedures performed right here in our office, we will examine your child’s mouth and diagnose the severity of the tie in order to make sure surgery is necessary.

Tongue-Tie And Lip Tie Symptoms In Babies

Tongue-ties and lip ties often interfere with successful breastfeeding, but can cause other problems as well. In addition to the physical presence of a tie, babies who will benefit from laser frenectomies will typically exhibit several of the following:

  • Shallow or poor latch
  • Poor or slow weight gain
  • Frequent spitting up
  • “Colicy” symptoms such as gassiness and fussiness
  • Clicking or smacking noises when eating
  • Falling asleep while nursing
  • Long feeding sessions

Tongue-Ties And Lip Tie Symptoms In Children

Sometimes tongue-ties and lip ties can go undiagnosed until children are older. In toddlers and older children, signs and symptoms will present differently. These may include:

  • Issues with speech
  • Difficulty chewing or eating
  • Snoring or trouble sleeping
Child practicing toothbrushing on a stuffed animal model at Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry.

The Laser Frenectomy Procedure At Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry

Laser frenectomies only take a short amount of time, and most babies feel very little discomfort since the lingual frenulum contains very few nerves or blood vessels. In fact, many babies are able to breastfeed immediately afterward.

Although complications are rare, they are still possible. These could include a small amount of bleeding or infection. In some cases, scar tissue may develop, or the frenulum could reattach to the tongue. In order to prevent this, we may recommend tongue or lip exercises or stretches to guide healing.

Benefits Of Laser Frenectomies

In comparison to traditional frenectomies, laser frenectomies performed by our skilled pediatric dentists offer several benefits for babies and children alike (as well as their parents)! Advantages of this minimally invasive procedure include:

  • Quick
  • Performed in our office
  • Minimal pain and bleeding
  • Fast healing
  • Low risk of complications afterwards

FAQ About Laser Frenectomies

At Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry, we aim to do more than just keep your child afloat. We want them to swim with confidence! Have questions about what to expect? Here are some common questions and answers about laser frenectomies to prepare for your child’s procedure or evaluation with confidence.

Before deciding on a laser frenectomy, we want to be sure it’s the right choice for your little one. We’ll start by reviewing your baby’s health history and symptoms. After that, one of our skilled pediatric dentists will gently check your baby’s mouth, tongue and lips, taking pictures if necessary.

For toddlers or older children, we may recommend sedation. However, most infants are fully comfortable without anesthesia!

Some babies may have some difficulty latching in the first week or so after the procedure as they heal, but you should notice improvement in a few weeks.

Recovery from laser frenectomies will vary. Your child may need some pain medication in the first couple days, but you should notice improvements within a few weeks. Follow our aftercare instructions we will provide you with closely, including any tongue or lip stretches that we recommend to encourage proper healing. If you notice abnormal bleeding, call us at (910) 791-7380 right away.

Healthy Smiles Start at Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry

Expert Pediatric Dental Care

At Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry, we make it easy to schedule your child’s next visit! Whether it’s their first dental checkup or a routine cleaning, our friendly team is here to ensure every experience is positive and stress-free. Give us a call at (910) 791-7380 and our team will confirm your preferred date and time. We look forward to helping your child enjoy a lifetime of healthy, happy smiles!

Curly-haired blonde little boy smiling at Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry after a pulpotomy treatment
Two smiling children hugging outdoors on a sunny day, showing healthy and happy smiles after a dental visit.
Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry light-blue logo featuring a smiling tooth surfing on a toothbrush wave with sun icons.

Catching Waves, Creating Smiles

2606 Iron Gate Dr., Suite 200, Wilmington, NC 28412

(910) 791-7380