Laser Tongue Tie Procedure

Tongue tie ankyloglossia occurs when the band of tissue frenulum that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth is abnormally short tight or thick.

Laser tongue tie procedure.

The procedure for tongue tie revision frenotomy is relatively quick and it can significantly help your baby develop and grow because it makes it easier to breastfeed and to speak. Tongue tie ankyloglossia is a condition in which an unusually short thick or tight band of tissue lingual frenulum tethers the bottom of the tongue s tip to the floor of the mouth. Utilizing a soft tissue laser drs. The laser cauterizes as it cuts to reduce pain bleeding and recovery time.

If necessary tongue tie can be treated with a surgical cut to release the frenulum frenotomy. It s not necessary to do anything to prepare for the procedure. Families frequently ask me whether they should go to a particular tongue tie provider because they use a laser for their procedures. The minimally invasive laser procedure is a relatively new option suitable for neonates older children and adults.

Preparing for tongue tie revision. Here s what to expect from the procedure. The procedure is quick taking about 2 to 3 minutes to perform but some cooperation from the patient in keeping still is. For your safety you won t be able to stay in the room during tongue tie surgery.

We have to follow laser safety guidelines however you can feel peace of mind knowing that the tongue tie procedure typically only takes 1 to 2 minutes. The patient returns for speech therapy in 2 days. Tongue tie can interfere with breastfeeding during the infant years and speech development as a child grows older. During laser tongue tie procedure.

It is best to have this procedure performed by a specialist in the area of laser dentistry who is familiar with tongue tie revision. The benefits of tongue tie and lip tie laser surgery can positively affect your child s health including increasing the ability to successfully breastfeed as well as prevent possible dental problems associated with these anomalies. For more information see dr kotlow s article. A frenectomy is a common surgical procedure during which the frenulum the band of tissue involved in tongue tie and or lip tie is released allowing for better range of motion.

Rubin and sentelle can alleviate problems caused by tongue tie and lip tie by performing a laser frenectomy. I always respond that the tool that the provider is using for the procedure is far less important than their skill and understanding of how tongue tie affects breastfeeding. No general anaesthetic is used but an analgesic gel might be applied.