Our office utilizes the Light Scalpel CO2 soft tissue laser for procedures such as tongue, lip, and cheek tie releases. Dental lasers are a gentle, less invasive way to effectively and safely remove soft tissue, most often gum tissue and muscle attachment points. Used in a variety of procedures, dental lasers offer precise treatment that is more comfortable and faster than traditional dental methods. For children, this means far less fear and anxiety and an overall better treatment experience.
Laser therapy provides the following advantages:
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Minimal Bleeding: As the dental laser vaporizes the tissue, the high-energy light beam aids in the clotting (coagulation) of exposed blood vessels, which reduces blood loss.
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Reduced Swelling and Discomfort: The dental laser seals the tissue, reducing the swelling and discomfort associated with traditional scalpel surgery. It also reduces the need for stitches.
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Less Risk of Infection: The sanitizing effect of the laser reduces the risk of infection, which results in faster healing.
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Improved Treatment Experience: The laser hand piece is quiet and doesn’t vibrate like traditional dental “drills.” This approach is gentle enough that anesthetic is usually not necessary.
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Shortened Surgery Time: Less bleeding results in the improved visibility of the surgical field. The surgeon and the team do not have to spend much time trying to control the bleeding, and as a result, the duration of the surgery is reduced.
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Faster recovery: Reduced trauma, minimized bleeding, less pain and swelling, and shorter periods of anesthesia mean, in most cases, you can go back to work or school the same day.
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Reduced Risk of Scarring: Several studies have shown that CO2 laser-irradiated areas, (compared to traditional methods) heal with less wound contraction and scarring due to the reduced amount of myofibroblasts at the surgical site.
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Advanced laser tools mean better results: The lightweight ergonomic handpieces and flexible fiber waveguide of the LightScalpel CO2 laser allow for enhanced precision with pinpoint accuracy. Also, LightScalpel accessories significantly facilitate surgeries in difficult to reach places.
Laser Treatment of Tongue- and Lip-Tie
Tongue-tie is a developmental abnormality of the tongue, which occurs when the lingual frenulum is too short or tight, causing limited tongue mobility and interferes with optimal tongue function. Lip-tie occurs when the upper lip is attached to closely to the gum tissue above the upper front teeth and prevents normal function, prevents optimal oral hygiene, or maintains presence of a diastema/gap between the two front teeth. Both conditions have been associated with breastfeeding problems among newborns, as the defect may cause poor latch, inadequate feeding, and maternal nipple pain. Poor tongue mobility, speech, and gingival recession have also been related to tongue- and lip-tie.
Laser treatment of tongue- and lip-tie for infants is a procedure called a frenectomy. Treatment with a laser will not require stitches and only a minimal amount of topical and local anesthetic may be necessary.
Uncovering Erupting Teeth to Prevent Impaction
At times, thick gum tissue may prevent an erupting tooth from coming in. This impaction often occurs with the canines, also known as cuspids or eyeteeth. Our use of laser dentistry allows us to quickly and precisely remove excess gum tissue with minimal or no bleeding, post-operative pain, or swelling. This lets erupting teeth come in unhindered, preventing impactions and infections, and may even lead to less crowding of the teeth.