Soft tissue lasers used in dentistry have long been involved in the performance of frenectomy procedures. The frenectomy is done to correct “tongue-ties,” a condition in which an infant’s tongue or lip is “tied” to the floor of the mouth or the cheek in a way that inhibits the full range of motion. Being tongue-tied can prevent an infant from nursing well, and may create a challenge for speech development.
Laser dentistry makes the frenectomy procedure faster, less uncomfortable, more precise, and also shortens the recovery time needed after treatment. Passing a beam of laser light through the attachments that are “tying” the tongue causes immediate detachment. At the same time, the laser cauterizes the cut, sealing off the blood vessels and significantly reducing post-operative bleeding. When a laser is used as an alternative to a scalpel, the frenectomy can be completed without stitches.