Sometimes making decisions for the betterment of your child’s health can be a bit overwhelming. At our dental practice in Houston, TX, we do the best that we can to make sure that we aid you in understanding what dental procedures are best for you and your child’s circumstances. In this article, we will discuss what a laser frenectomy is, and why it may be the right choice for your child.
A frenectomy is a common procedure that involves releasing excess pressure on the frenulum. The frenulum is the flap of connective tissue located beneath the upper lip or tongue. Most frequently, this procedure is performed on children by a pediatric dentist near you for kids Houston, such as ourselves at Molar Bear Pediatric Dentistry. We often recommend this when the frenulum is too tight and restricting the range of motion within the mouth. When a frenulum is restricted, it can cause tongue-tie or lip-tie, conditions that lead to digestive issues, difficulty breastfeeding, speech or airway difficulties, and dental spacing problems. The procedure, a laser frenectomy, can generally correct the issues associated with excess pressure on the frenulum.
You may have heard of a frenectomy before. In the case of a traditional frenectomy, the tight frenulum is cut with a custom pair of dental scissors. The process is quick, but usually requires a local anesthetic. On the other hand, a laser frenectomy is often performed without local anesthetic as it causes very minimal procedural pain. Lasers offer dental professionals a way to circumvent excess bleeding, infections post-surgery, and high-risk complications. Lasers also offer a level of precision that cannot be matched by traditional dental tools.
If this procedure something that peaks your interest and you feel as though this is the right decision for you and your child, do not hesitate to contact us at pediatric dentistry in Houston, TX. We constantly work to make sure that your whole family is given the care they need and deserve.