A frenectomy is a quick and simple procedure often performed by a dentist on children with a lip or tongue tie. Specifically, a frenectomy removes the frenulum that connects the tongue or lip to the gums or floor of the mouth. This procedure can be done using various techniques, including a scalpel, scissors, or a laser.

The goal of the procedure is to release a tight or short frenulum that may be causing problems with oral function, such as difficulty breastfeeding, speech issues, or dental problems. However, our approach to frenectomies is slightly different at Must Love Kids in Vancouver. Our specially designed diode laser means a faster, less painful, and well-tolerated procedure for your child.

A soft-tissue laser is one more way we make dentistry for children faster and more comfortable. 

If your child has a lip or tongue tie, you want it corrected quickly. These conditions, also called ankyloglossia, can hinder breastfeeding, keeping your child from getting the valuable nutrients they need to thrive. But some parents worry about how their child will tolerate a frenectomy, worried that it will be painful and upsetting. Thankfully, soft tissue lasers make frenectomies much smoother for the following reasons.

1. Precision

Soft tissue lasers, such as the diode laser used at Must Love Kids in Vancouver, are highly precise, allowing your child’s dentist to target the frenulum tissue with accuracy and minimal damage to surrounding tissues. This precision minimizes the risk of complications resulting from the procedure.

2. Minimal Discomfort

We want your child to be as comfortable as possible. Our soft tissue diode laser minimizes discomfort and pain during and after the procedure. The laser cauterizes the tissue as it cuts, reducing bleeding and the need for sutures, and it can also stimulate nerve endings to promote faster healing and pain relief. We find that laser frenectomy is well-tolerated by babies and small children.

3. Faster Recovery 

Babies must eat frequently—most breastfed babies eat every two to four hours. Laser frenectomies result in faster recovery times than traditional surgical methods. The laser seals blood vessels and nerve endings as it cuts, reducing inflammation and promoting quicker healing. This can lead to less discomfort and a faster return to normal activities. And whereas most babies can’t breastfeed for one to five days after a traditional frenectomy, babies with a laser frenectomy can feed immediately. However, parents should know that some babies need more time after their procedure, but usually eat normally after one to three days.

How to know if your baby has a lip or tongue tie. 

Here are some signs that your baby could benefit from a laser frenectomy.

• Difficulty nursing: If you are hearing clicking sounds when your child is breastfeeding, you are experiencing severe nipple pain, or your child is fussy and not satisfied after a feeding, this can indicate there is a lip or tongue tie.
• Delayed speech: If your child is learning to talk, but they have trouble pronouncing sounds such as “l,” “r,” “s,” and “th,” you should ask their pediatrician or pediatric dentist if your baby has a lip or tongue tie. When the tongue and lip do not have a full range of motion, it can restrict your child’s ability to form words properly.
• Trouble eating solid foods: Because the frenulum restricts the range of motion, small children with lip and tongue ties can have trouble chewing and swallowing solid foods. 
• Social and emotional delays: When kids can’t eat properly or have trouble with their speech, it can be upsetting, making them feel self-conscious. Thankfully, a quick laser frenectomy can help correct the issue, giving them the range of motion to eat and speak easily.

Find a dentist experienced in soft-tissue laser frenectomies.

If your child has a lip or tongue tie, it is best to correct it as soon as possible. Take the following steps to find a dentist with experience in laser frenectomies.

• Ask for referrals from family members or friends who had children with the same condition.
• Search online for laser frenectomy dentists near me—if you live in or near Vancouver, Washington, we’re happy to say that Must Love Kids offers diode soft-tissue laser frenectomies for kids.
• Reach out to local breastfeeding support groups or tongue tie support groups to ask for recommendations from other parents who have had similar experiences.
• Request a consultation with a local pediatric dentist or dentist who practices pediatric dentistry. 

Must Love Kids is your dentistry for children partner. 

The team at Must Love Kids is highly experienced in dentistry for children. We are a family-friendly practice specializing in kids. Our diode laser makes frenectomies a breeze. Whether your child needs a frenectomy to treat their lip or tongue tie, or you are looking for a new dentist for your kids, now is the time to request an appointment. We can’t wait to meet you and your child.