Child Tongue & Lip Tie Pottstown, PA

Laser Frenectomy – What is Involved?

We utilize a DEKA CO2 laser, it is a soft tissue laser, it does not cut, it used infrared light energy to remove the tissue with minimal discomfort, and almost no bleeding. It also sterlizes the site and so the risk of infection is greatly lowered. The healing is rapid because the laser stimulates healing and regeneration of the tissues. Due to the speed of which the surgery can be completed it does not require numbing or any anesthesia for the patient.

What can I expect before the procedure?

Typically, the surgery can be completed on the same day as your assessment, and consultation appointment. Do not nurse or feed your child for 45 minutes prior to the procedure.

Due to laser safety restrictions, parents are not allowed in the room for the duration of the surgery. The procedure itself only takes a few minutes.

Your child will be awake for the duration of the procedure. After the procedure is completed, we recommend nursing and checking the latch immediately to calm baby and to check that the release was succesful.

What can I expect after the laser frenectomy is complete?

For patients 1 year and older may be numb for about 45 minutes. for infants, breastfeeding after the procedure is encouraged as breast milk contains many ingredients that can help to healing the area, and can also calm baby. Do not be alarmed if latching is difficult initially some babies need time to adjust to the release. It can take time for the baby to adjust and learn how to use the newly freed muscles of the tongue and lip. We will prescribe post-treatment exercises to assist with increasing the mobility of the lip and tongue. We highly recommend working with specialists such as: Lactation consultant, Myofunctional therapists, chiropractors etc.

After the first 48 hours the wound can appear gooey and white or yellowish in appearance. This is typical of any oral wound such as an ulcer etc. Stretches should be completed four times daily every four to six hours. Do not wake up baby to do the stretches. We recommend a one week re-evaluation and post operative check of the area after the procedure has been completed.

Call our office for any of the following:

Uncontrolled bleeding

Fever that is higher than 101.5

Signs of possible infection

Pain management

your child may not need any pain medications, however, we do provide the following options if needed.

Infants less than 6 months:

Consult with your pediatrician and follow dosage directions. Give after the procedure as needed. ( most discomfort usually resolves within the first 48 hours after the procedure).

Children 6 Months & Older:

Tylenol, Motrin, Ibuprofen can be given one hour prior to the procedure, and then can also be given after the procedure as needed for patient pain.

Arnica 30x – 5 Tabs dissolved in a few tablespoons of breast milk, delivered by a dropper.

Rescue Remedy

Frozen breast milk can also be used to soothe the area and rub gently on the wounds after the procedure.

If you have insurance we will always do our best to work with your insurance.

There is a consultation fee of $150, and we do require a deposit to reserve your appointment space and time. We also offer video calls with Dr. Briana Prior to the appointment so you can meet the doctor, and she can answer any questions that you may have.