Laser frenectomy is a minor surgical procedure that is performed to reduce pressure on the frenulum – the flap of connective tissues right beneath the upper lip. Your child’s frenulum being restricted by the pressure leads to issues like lip or tongue tie, which can cause speech difficulties, create abnormal spacing, block airways, hinder breastfeeding, and cause digestive issues.
The conventional method of reducing pressure on the frenulum involves surgically cutting the frenulum to remove excess tissues. It is a quick surgical procedure that requires local anesthetics to numb the region being treated. A laser frenectomy provides a milder approach that does not cause significant pain since it uses a laser to remove excess tissue instead of dental scissors. This helps to minimize bleeding, complications, and the risk of post-surgical infections. Local anesthetics are not needed when performing laser frenectomies.
While laser frenectomies are significantly milder than traditional frenectomies, your child still needs special care for a few days after the procedure. Parents will also need to periodically lift the child’s lip or tongue to help with mobility and ensure the area is healing properly.
Some minor bleeding is perfectly normal after the procedure, and the baby's poop might be a bit darker because of small amounts of blood they swallow. The bleeding should stop within a few days.
Some of the things parents can do to make recovery easier for their child include:
A child will experience minor discomfort following a laser frenectomy, so parents should expect them to be fussier than usual for a few days after the procedure. If the child is too young to take liquid painkillers, you can help them to manage their discomfort by giving them lots of attention and smaller, more frequent feedings. Parents should provide pain medication if the child is old enough for them.
It is okay to breastfeed children who are still nursing immediately after a frenectomy. The nutrients and antibodies in the mother’s milk will help with the child’s recovery. If the child has already been weaned, avoid spicy, cold, or hot foods that might irritate the area for a few days. The same goes for crunchy and hard foods since they can end up increasing the child’s discomfort. Soft, bland foods like mashed potatoes are typically the safest option during recovery.
A child’s lips and tongue need to be exercised regularly to help prevent the tongue or lip tie from reforming. The child also needs to learn how to use their mouth now that their tissues are no longer restricted. Parents will need to perform these exercises on babies, but children and teens can perform their own. It is as simple as using a finger to lift the lip and tongue so the tissues connected to them are stretched.
A laser frenectomy allows your child to eat and speak properly without their lip or tongue being restricted. It can help to prevent speech development and bite issues that last a lifetime. Give us a call or stop by our Glen Ridge clinic to set up an appointment with our pediatric dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://www.littlesproutspd.com or call Little Sprouts Pediatric Dentistry at (973) 221-2919 for an appointment in our Glen Ridge office.
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