SCOTTS VALLEY, SANTA CRUZ CA
A tongue-tie restricts the tongue’s natural movement and can lead to life-long issues if not treated early. You’re either born with a tongue tie or not. It’s not something that you can develop later in life. Frenuloplasty is the most common treatment for tongue ties, and this procedure can now be done with ease using laser technology. Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry offers LightScalpel, an innovative laser proven to be more effective at removing excess soft tissue and results in an easier recovery than traditional surgical methods. Today on our newest blog, we share the benefits of LightScalpel, and how our Scotts Valley dentists use this leading-edge technology to treat infant tongue ties.
What is the LightScalpel laser?
The LightScalpel CO2 laser is a leading-edge device that emits a concentrated light beam used to vaporize excess soft tissue as it simultaneously seals blood vessels, providing unparalleled care for patients. Its ultimate precision means that the laser can remove only a few cells at a time but is strong enough to reduce large soft tissue tumors. When used by a trained practitioner, the LightScalpel laser is incredibly safe and can even be used on infants to release tongue-ties.
How is LightScalpel used in dentistry?
Infant tongue ties are sometimes present at birth, and if not treated, may lead to orofacial myofunctional disorders, hinder jaw growth and development, and impact how a child looks. Ultimately, an untreated tongue-tie may cause a child to develop sleep apnea, speech impediments or delayed speech, open mouth posture, mouth breathing, tongue thrust, or a reverse swallow. Children with untreated tongue ties may become picky eaters or subject to these health dangers if treatment is not sought. You may be able to tell if your baby has a tongue tie if they have problems latching when breastfeeding, among other symptoms that are evident during infancy. However, pediatricians and lactation consultants do not routinely examine babies for tongue-ties. Therefore, it is essential to book a tongue-tie evaluation with a Scotts Valley dentist soon after birth or if mother or baby experience breast feeding challenges.
What are the advantages of using LightScalpel?
Using the LightScalpel laser presents many advantages for patients that wouldn’t be possible with a traditional surgical approach that uses a scalpel to make incisions and sutures to close the surgical site.
Advantages of LightScalpel include:
- Minimizes bleeding – As the laser works, it vaporizes tissue and seals blood vessels, minimizing bleeding during and after the procedure.
- Less swelling and discomfort – The CO2 laser also seals lymphatics, which lessens swelling and discomfort during recovery.
- Reduces infection risk – The laser has sanitizing abilities due to its temperature setting, which means a lower risk of postoperative infection.
- Procedure time is shorter – Less bleeding also allows for better visibility while the dentist performs the procedure so that the treatment doesn’t take as long. This is especially beneficial for babies, as the doctor can release a tongue tie within seconds, and often anesthesia is not needed for such a quick procedure.
- Faster recovery – Your recovery is much quicker due to reduced trauma, less bleeding, and minimized swelling and discomfort. In most cases, children and adults can return to school or work the same day as their procedure.
- Better results – The laser is incredibly precise with its ergonomic handpiece design and flexible fiber wavelength that makes it possible to treat harder-to-reach areas inside the mouth. Additionally, the laser can remove only a few cells at a time, which isn’t possible using a scalpel.
Laser Frenectomies for Infants in Scotts Valley, Los Gatos, and Santa Cruz
Treating infant tongue ties can be simple and easy when choosing a dentist in Scotts Valley that offers laser dentistry. If you would like to learn more about procedures that use LightScalpel or need to schedule a tongue-tie assessment in Scotts Valley, please contact Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry by calling (831) 438-4411.