Our office offers state-of-the-art laser treatment for tongue-ties (ankyloglossia) and buccal-ties using a CO₂ laser. This advanced technique provides a gentle, precise, and minimally invasive solution for infants, children, and adolescents experiencing restricted oral function.
How Does a Lip or Tongue Tie Occur?
Most of us are born with some form of lip or tongue tie, but in many cases, these bands of tissue pose no problem as we develop into childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
During a process known as apoptosis, which occurs during fetal development, the frenum (a small fold of tissue) should naturally separate. However, if this tissue does not detach properly from the gums of the upper jaw or the floor of the mouth, it results in a lip or tongue tie, restricting normal movement.
What Are the Signs of a Lip or Tongue Tie?
Many children are diagnosed with a lip or tongue tie shortly after birth. Signs your child may have this condition include:
✔️ Difficulties latching onto the nipple while trying to nurse
✔️ Frequent slipping or falling off the nipple or falling asleep while trying to latch
✔️ Experiencing frequent colic or reflux
✔️ Lack of weight gain
✔️ Inability to hold a pacifier in their mouth
✔️ Unable to use a bottle
✔️ Prolonged nursing or bottle-feeding sessions
✔️ Heart-shaped appearance of the tongue
If the problem persists beyond infancy and into childhood and adolescence, children can experience:
✔️ Speech difficulties
✔️ Breathing problems
✔️ Difficulty eating and swallowing
What Problems Can Develop as a Result of a Lip or Tongue Tie?
Mothers may experience some of the following issues during their child’s infancy:
✔️ Painful nursing
✔️ Creased or flattened nipples
✔️ Blistered or cut nipples
✔️ Incomplete breast drainage
✔️ Plugged ducts or mastitis
✔️ Inability to nurse without using a nipple shield
✔️ Decreased milk supply
Babies with a lip or tongue tie can potentially experience a range of challenges, such as:
✔️ Difficulties latching onto the nipple
✔️ Frequent slipping off the nipple or falling asleep while nursing
✔️ Prolonged nursing or bottle-feeding sessions
It also poses a significant problem when it comes to maintaining good oral health, as a child and/or adult cannot effectively remove food debris from the teeth or mouth because of the restricted movement of the tongue. This can lead to:
✔️ Tooth decay
✔️ Formation of caries (cavities)
✔️ Development of gingivitis, especially if proper oral hygiene habits are not practiced regularly
More importantly, in severe cases, lip and tongue tie can result in changes to a child’s facial growth and development if left undiagnosed and untreated.
Older Children & Adults – Possible Signs and Issues
Older children and even adults may show signs of some of the wide range of problems, which may include:
✔️ Speech delay
✔️ Speech distortion (e.g. Difficulty with L, R, T, D, N, TH, SH, and Z sounds)
✔️ Picky eating habits / sensitivity to textures
✔️ Digestive issues
✔️ Breathing & airway issues
✔️ Dark circles under the eyes
✔️ Forward head & neck posture
✔️ Hyperactivity & decreased attention span
✔️ Mouth-breathing
✔️ Bruxism (grinding teeth)
✔️ Frequent waking at night
✔️ Bed-wetting
✔️ Sleep Disordered Breathing / Sleep apnea / Hypopneic events
Dr. Nix’s Approach to Treatment
Dr. Nix will perform a detailed history taking to assess any signs or symptoms attributed to Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs). We evaluate the lip, tongue, and cheeks for any other potential areas of restriction. Using the LightScalpel CO₂ Laser, we perform frenectomies to reduce pain, bleeding, and postoperative inflammation.
Before beginning the procedure, we will first apply a topical anesthetic to ensure comfort, then use the laser to precisely ablate the tissue, allowing for free-range movement of the lip and/or tongue. The entire treatment typically takes just a few minutes to complete, and the laser’s ability to cauterize while it cuts helps prevent any bleeding and sterilizes the tissue.
This is important because it significantly reduces the chances of infection.
Post-Procedure Care
Once the procedure is complete, you will need to help your little one exercise their tongue and lip through stretching activities to prevent the healing tissues from reattaching. You will receive detailed instructions from us on various stretching exercises that need to be performed on your child’s lip and/or tongue to encourage healing, while also maintaining a greater range of motion and reducing the risk of reattachment.
The tissue should be fully healed within 1 to 2 weeks, but stretching exercises are highly recommended to ensure optimal healing and mobility.
Benefits of CO₂ Laser Treatment
✅ Minimally Invasive – No cutting or sutures required
✅ Less Discomfort – Reduced pain and faster healing compared to traditional methods
✅ Minimal Bleeding – The laser cauterizes as it works, reducing bleeding
✅ Quick Procedure & Recovery – Most procedures take only a few minutes, with minimal downtime
Our experienced team provides comprehensive assessments and works closely with parents, lactation consultants, and speech therapists to ensure the best outcomes.
Schedule a consultation today to see if laser treatment is the right solution for your child!