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9735 Landmark Parkway Dr.
Suite #16 St. Louis, MO 63127

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(314) 270-5817

Laser Frenectomy In St. Louis

Dr. Kelly Jobe | Pediatric Dentist | St. Louis, MO

Laser Frenectomy

At Kids Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, our primary focus is to provide exceptional dental and oral care for your children. Among our wide range of pediatric dental services, Dr. Kelly Jobe and her team specialize in laser frenectomy. This is a minimally invasive procedure that efficiently addresses tongue-tie and lip-tie conditions in children. Utilizing state-of-the-art LightScalpel laser technology, we ensure optimal precision, efficacy, and comfort during the procedure.

By offering laser frenectomy, we aim to address functional and developmental challenges associated with tongue-tie and lip-tie, which can affect speech, feeding, and overall oral health. Our cutting-edge laser technology allows for precise and gentle treatment, minimizing discomfort and promoting a swift recovery for your little one.

We take pride in being one of the few pediatric dental practices in the greater St. Louis, MO region to provide this advanced frenectomy solution. Our commitment to staying at the forefront of dental innovations enables us to offer the latest techniques and technologies for the benefit of our young patients. Rest assured, your child’s well-being and satisfaction are our top priorities, and our compassionate team will go above and beyond to ensure a positive and stress-free experience for both you and your little one.

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Understanding Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie

Tongue-tie and lip-tie are conditions present at birth that restrict the tongue’s or lip’s range of motion, respectively.

They occur when the thin piece of tissue under the baby’s tongue (the lingual frenulum), attaching the upper lip (the labial frenulum) or attaching the cheek (buccal frenum) is longer, wider and/or thicker than usual. These conditions may lead to difficulties in breastfeeding, sleep quality, speech development, or oral hygiene, and might also affect your child’s palate development and optimal nutrition absorption.

Is Your Child Showing Signs of Tongue-Tie or Lip-Tie?

Babies with tongue-tie or lip-tie may exhibit symptoms such as a poor latch, falling asleep or sliding off the nipple while attempting to latch, colic symptoms, reflux symptoms, poor weight gain, difficulty holding a pacifier in the mouth, or inability to use a bottle. These conditions can also lead to short sleep episodes and frequent refeeding.

It’s important to note that tongue-tie and lip-tie can also affect the nursing mother, causing sore, chafed, or blanching nipples, intense pain, poor or incomplete breast drainage, plugged ducts, nipple thrush, or oversupply.

What to Expect During a Laser Frenectomy in St. Louis, MO

Your child’s comfort and safety are our top priorities at Kids Smiles Pediatric Dentistry. Our frenectomy procedure is designed to be swift, simple, and stress-free.

The procedure takes less than a minute per frenum. Depending on the age of the patient, we may begin by applying a specially formulated topical anesthetic to minimize discomfort. Our precise LightScalpel laser then releases and seals the tissues, causing very little to no bleeding at all.

After some preoperative snuggles and discussion, one of our staff members will transfer your child for treatment. He/She will be comfortably swaddled and held by a member of our caring staff during the procedure.

Post-Frenectomy Lactation Suite

Immediately after the procedure, gentle massage of the tissues decreases discomfort and encourages healing at the site.

Once the release is complete, your family will be reunited in our private lactation suite where you can feed and comfort your child. We will also go over homecare and any follow-up instructions before you leave to ensure the maximum results for your family.

This is a rewarding moment for both you and your little one, marking the beginning of easier feeding and better overall oral health. You and your little one will notice the immediate effects of the laser frenectomy procedure.

The Advantages of LightScalpel Laser Frenectomy

Laser frenectomy using the LightScalpel laser brings numerous benefits to your child’s treatment:

Minimized Bleeding: The LightScalpel laser seals small blood vessels, reducing bleeding and often removing the need for sutures.

Less Swelling and Discomfort: The laser seals lymphatics, leading to less post-operative swelling and discomfort compared to traditional surgery.

Reduced Risk of Infection: The sanitizing effect of the laser reduces the risk of infection and promotes faster healing.

Shortened Surgery Time: The improved visibility from minimized bleeding speeds up the procedure, reducing the surgery’s duration.

Faster Recovery: The laser’s gentle touch means less trauma, leading to faster recovery. In most cases, your child can return to their normal routine the same day.

Reduced Risk of Scarring: CO2 laser-irradiated areas heal with less wound contraction and scarring, ensuring better cosmetic results.

Questions for Dr. Jobe or the Kids Smiles Pediatric Dentistry team?

Dr. Kelly Jobe and the team at Kids Smiles Pediatric Dentistry are committed to providing the best pediatric dental care in the greater St. Louis, MO area! Please contact us with any questions regarding your kid’s dental health, we are here to help!

FAQs

What is a laser frenectomy and what does it treat?

A laser frenectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that releases the tight or restrictive tissue connecting the tongue, upper lip, or cheek to the mouth. It is used to treat tongue-tie and lip-tie conditions in infants, children, and even adults. At Kids Smiles Pediatric Dentistry in St. Louis, Dr. Kelly Jobe performs laser frenectomies using LightScalpel laser technology, which allows for precise, gentle tissue release with little to no bleeding and a faster recovery compared to traditional surgical methods.

What is a lip tie and how do I know if my baby has one?

A lip tie occurs when the labial frenulum, the small band of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum, is thicker, wider, or shorter than normal. This restricts how freely the upper lip can move. In infants, lip ties often interfere with breastfeeding. Signs to watch for include a poor or shallow latch, slipping off the nipple during feeding, falling asleep at the breast before finishing a full feed, colic or reflux symptoms, poor weight gain, and difficulty holding a bottle or pacifier. If your baby is showing any of these signs, an evaluation at our St. Louis office can determine whether a lip tie is the cause.

What is tongue-tie and how is it different from lip tie?

Tongue-tie, also known as ankyloglossia, occurs when the lingual frenulum, the tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth, is too tight or short. This limits tongue movement and can interfere with breastfeeding, speech development, oral hygiene, and sleep quality. Lip tie involves the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum and primarily affects feeding and, later, dental spacing. Both conditions can occur together, and both can be treated with a laser frenectomy at our St. Louis practice.

How can a lip tie or tongue tie affect a breastfeeding mother?

The impact of tongue-tie and lip tie is not limited to the baby. Nursing mothers often experience significant discomfort when their infant has one or both conditions. Common signs in the mother include sore, cracked, or blanching nipples, pain during or after feedings, poor or incomplete breast drainage, plugged ducts, nipple thrush, and oversupply issues. Addressing a lip tie or tongue tie in the baby can make a meaningful difference for both mother and child.

What makes laser frenectomy better than traditional frenectomy surgery?

Laser frenectomy using the LightScalpel CO2 laser offers several advantages over conventional scissor or scalpel-based procedures. The laser seals small blood vessels as it works, which means little to no bleeding and typically no need for sutures. It also seals lymphatic vessels, which reduces post-operative swelling and discomfort. The sanitizing effect of the laser lowers the risk of infection, and the precision of the technology speeds up the procedure itself. Most children are able to return to their normal routine the same day.

What can I expect during my child's laser frenectomy appointment in St. Louis?

The procedure is designed to be quick, gentle, and as stress-free as possible for both you and your child. Each frenum release takes less than a minute. Depending on your child’s age, a topical anesthetic is applied beforehand to minimize any discomfort. Your baby will be comfortably swaddled and held by a member of our caring staff throughout the procedure. After the release is complete, your family will move to our private lactation suite where you can feed and comfort your child right away. Our team will also walk you through all home care and follow-up instructions before you leave.

Does Kids Smiles Pediatric Dentistry treat lip ties and tongue ties in older children, or only infants?

While lip tie and tongue tie are most commonly identified in newborns due to their effect on breastfeeding, these conditions can affect children of all ages. In older children, untreated tongue-tie or lip tie can contribute to speech difficulties, challenges with oral hygiene, dental spacing issues, and disrupted sleep. Dr. Jobe evaluates and treats these conditions across all pediatric age groups at our St. Louis office.

How do I schedule a laser frenectomy consultation for my child in St. Louis?

Kids Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is one of the few pediatric dental practices in the greater St. Louis area offering laser frenectomy with LightScalpel technology. If you suspect your child has a lip tie or tongue tie, or if feeding difficulties, speech concerns, or sleep issues have you looking for answers, we encourage you to reach out. Call our office at (314) 270-5817 or book an appointment online. We are located at 9735 Landmark Parkway Dr., Suite 16, St. Louis, MO 63127.

Have more questions about your child’s dental health? Contact St. Louis, MO’s award-winning Pediatric Dentist, Dr. Kelly Jobe!

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Dr. Kelly Jobe & her staff are passionate about providing the best pediatric dental care in St. Louis, MO!

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