CO2 Laser Tongue Tie Release

About The Procedure

The benefits of a CO₂ laser tongue tie release

As performed by the LightScalpel® CO₂ Laser, releasing a tongue tie or lip tie is a minimally invasive and quick procedure. Soft tissue lasers use focused light energy to gently and precisely remove a restricting frenulum.

Unlike a procedure with a surgical scalpel, removal with a CO₂ laser minimizes the need for dental anesthesia. Most of all, it provides a more comfortable experience during the procedure and post-operatively. Since a CO₂ laser also coagulates capillaries and small blood and lymphatic vessels as it goes, it controls surgical bleeding and creates a clear surgical site, with typically no need for any sutures and minimal post-operative swelling and scarring.  CO₂ laser surgery also promotes more rapid recovery and healing times.

Tongue tie release in under a minute

The procedure itself takes less than a minute to complete with little to no bleeding. Because there are few nerve endings in the frenulum, discomfort is minimal. Depending on whether it’s an infant, older baby, or young child, topical anesthetic gel and possibly an injection of local anesthesia may be all that is needed to reduce discomfort during the procedure. Our pediatric dentist will discuss this with you at your consultation and assessment visit.

After the procedure

Once treatment is completed, infants and babies can feed from the breast or bottle. It’s worth noting breast milk has both pain relief and antiseptic properties.

In many cases, an improvement in a baby’s breastfeeding abilities and less discomfort for the mother is quickly apparent. However, for others, it can take a little time for a baby or child to get used to feeding, chewing, swallowing, and more with a newly unrestricted tongue.  

Our office will provide detailed post-op instructions and recommendations for post-op care and oral motor and feeding therapy or oral myofunctional therapy as needed.