Laser Frenectomy for Children – Why the Right Choice!

The flap of connective skin located beneath the upper lip or tongue is called the frenum (or frenulum). A frenectomy is a procedure that involves relieving excess pressure on the frenum. It is a fairly common procedure most often performed on children by a pediatric dentist in Houston when the frenulum is a too tight and restricting range of motion. When the frenulum is restrictive, they can cause tongue-tie or lip-tie, which can lead to digestive issues, dental spacing problems, or decay. It can also create speech or airway difficulties as well as difficulty breastfeeding.

How does laser frenectomy differ from traditional frenectomy?

A traditional frenectomy consists of the frenum being cut with a special pair of dental scissors. It is a quick procedure, but usually requires a local anesthetic. On the other hand, a laser frenectomy can often be done without any anesthetic because it causes minimal procedural pain.

Benefits to a Laser Frenectomy

• Quick: Laser frenectomies can be done in a matter of seconds.
• Minimal bleeding: Laser surgery in general causes minimal bleeding, which is a plus for treatments involving children.
• Low risk of complications: Laser oral treatments have a low risk of infection as well as other complications, especially compared to traditional procedures.
• Reliable outcome: Laser-based treatments are very reliable and highly successful.

In addition to these benefits, lasers also offer a level of precision that traditional dental tools cannot match. When removing the entire upper or lower frenum, lasers are more effective than traditional tools.

If your child is suffering from negative effects of a restrictive frenulum, schedule a laser frenectomy consultation with your pediatric dentist near me.