The goal of the procedure is to release a tight or short frenulum that may be causing problems with oral function, such as difficulty breastfeeding, speech issues, or dental problems. However, our approach to frenectomies is slightly different at Must Love Kids in Vancouver. Our specially designed diode laser means a faster, less painful, and well-tolerated procedure for your child.

A soft-tissue laser is one more way we make dentistry for children faster and more comfortable. 

If your child has a lip or tongue tie, you want it corrected quickly. These conditions, also called ankyloglossia, can hinder breastfeeding, keeping your child from getting the valuable nutrients they need to thrive. But some parents worry about how their child will tolerate a frenectomy, worried that it will be painful and upsetting. Thankfully, soft tissue lasers make frenectomies much smoother for the following reasons.

1. Precision

Soft tissue lasers, such as the diode laser used at Must Love Kids in Vancouver, are highly precise, allowing your child’s dentist to target the frenulum tissue with accuracy and minimal damage to surrounding tissues. This precision minimizes the risk of complications resulting from the procedure.

2. Minimal Discomfort

We want your child to be as comfortable as possible. Our soft tissue diode laser minimizes discomfort and pain during and after the procedure. The laser cauterizes the tissue as it cuts, reducing bleeding and the need for sutures, and it can also stimulate nerve endings to promote faster healing and pain relief. We find that laser frenectomy is well-tolerated by babies and small children.

3. Faster Recovery 

Babies must eat frequently—most breastfed babies eat every two to four hours. Laser frenectomies result in faster recovery times than traditional surgical methods. The laser seals blood vessels and nerve endings as it cuts, reducing inflammation and promoting quicker healing. This can lead to less discomfort and a faster return to normal activities. And whereas most babies can’t breastfeed for one to five days after a traditional frenectomy, babies with a laser frenectomy can feed immediately. However, parents should know that some babies need more time after their procedure, but usually eat normally after one to three days.

How to know if your baby has a lip or tongue tie. 

Here are some signs that your baby could benefit from a laser frenectomy.

• Difficulty nursing: If you are hearing clicking sounds when your child is breastfeeding, you are experiencing severe nipple pain, or your child is fussy and not satisfied after a feeding, this can indicate there is a lip or tongue tie.
• Delayed speech: If your child is learning to talk, but they have trouble pronouncing sounds such as “l,” “r,” “s,” and “th,” you should ask their pediatrician or pediatric dentist if your baby has a lip or tongue tie. When the tongue and lip do not have a full range of motion, it can restrict your child’s ability to form words properly.
• Trouble eating solid foods: Because the frenulum restricts the range of motion, small children with lip and tongue ties can have trouble chewing and swallowing solid foods. 
• Social and emotional delays: When kids can’t eat properly or have trouble with their speech, it can be upsetting, making them feel self-conscious. Thankfully, a quick laser frenectomy can help correct the issue, giving them the range of motion to eat and speak easily.

Find a dentist experienced in soft-tissue laser frenectomies.

If your child has a lip or tongue tie, it is best to correct it as soon as possible. Take the following steps to find a dentist with experience in laser frenectomies.

• Ask for referrals from family members or friends who had children with the same condition.
• Search online for laser frenectomy dentists near me—if you live in or near Vancouver, Washington, we’re happy to say that Must Love Kids offers diode soft-tissue laser frenectomies for kids.
• Reach out to local breastfeeding support groups or tongue tie support groups to ask for recommendations from other parents who have had similar experiences.
• Request a consultation with a local pediatric dentist or dentist who practices pediatric dentistry. 

Must Love Kids is your dentistry for children partner. 

The team at Must Love Kids is highly experienced in dentistry for children. We are a family-friendly practice specializing in kids. Our diode laser makes frenectomies a breeze. Whether your child needs a frenectomy to treat their lip or tongue tie, or you are looking for a new dentist for your kids, now is the time to request an appointment. We can’t wait to meet you and your child.

Some parents seek alternative feeding methods when this happens, instead of correcting the tongue tie. But unfortunately, an untreated tongue or lip tie can lead to other problems well into the future, such as sleep apnea and orthodontic issues.

What is a tongue tie?

A tongue tie is a condition that presents itself at birth. It occurs when a band of tissue connects the bottom of your baby’s tongue to the bottom of their mouth. When this happens, your baby is unable to move their tongue freely. If it is determined that your baby is tongue-tied or lip-tied, you may be referred to a skilled pediatrician for a laser frenectomy.

Occurring in 4 to 11% of newborns, tongue and lip ties can affect their ability to feed and get the important nutrients that they need to grow and thrive. Similarly, tongue and lip ties can cause breastfeeding problems and an inability for babies to get enough milk. 

Lip ties, similar to tongue ties, occur when the labial frenulum (the tissue that attaches the upper lip to the gums) is too tight, making it difficult for the baby to move their upper lip. Aside from problems with eating, tongue ties and lip ties can cause other problems when left untreated.

Left untreated, tongue ties and lip ties can lead to orthodontic problems. 

Lip ties can cause a gap between teeth. For example, children born with a short lingual frenulum often push out their lower jaw, allowing them to reposition their tongues so that they can feed or speak more easily. As a result, this can lead to an underbite, especially in kids whose mouths are quickly developing.

A frenectomy, thankfully, is an easy procedure that takes just a few minutes. At Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Vancouver, Washington, we use a specially designed diode laser for tongue tie and lip tie surgeries. 

Laser surgery is easily tolerated by babies and small children alike and can make a world of difference in their ability to latch on when trying to feed as an infant. Further, when a frenectomy is done early on, it can help avoid those orthodontic issues later. It can also help your child to avoid a speech impediment.

More specifically, an untreated tongue or lip tie can cause the following orthodontic issues.

1. Development of a gap between teeth that is difficult to treat with orthodontics alone
2. Tooth decay that can develop along the gumline of the front teeth, which can lead to other dental issues over time, including tooth loss
3. Jaw joint problems
4. Stomach aches and acid reflux resulting from improper or insufficient chewing

Tongue ties and lip ties may be discovered at your child’s early orthodontic evaluation.

Dentists recommend that children have an early orthodontic evaluation around age seven. During the appointment, the dentist or orthodontist will look for buck teeth, a deep bite, an underbite, overlapped or misaligned teeth (malocclusion), crowding, a crossbite, missing teeth, and extra teeth. 

These orthodontic evaluations are vital to your child’s health and can provide an early reading into orthodontic challenges your child may experience in the future if left untreated.

Your child’s dentist will also ask you or check your child to see if they are experiencing any of the following issues:

1. Difficulty chewing
2. Problems speaking
3. Abnormal bite development
4. Jaw clicking or popping
5. Eruption of permanent teeth into a crowded mouth or a mouth with overlapping teeth
6. Thumb-sucking
7. Tooth grinding (bruxism)
8. Repeated biting of the cheeks or roof of the mouth

Though most children don’t require orthodontic intervention – such as braces – at age seven, if they are experiencing any of the above concerns, early intervention treatments may be necessary. And if it is determined that your child has a tongue or lip tie, a frenectomy will often be recommended.

Let Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry help your child with a frenectomy to treat their tongue or lip tie.

We understand that you want what is best for your child. If they have a tongue tie or lip tie, let us help correct the issue with a frenectomy. Must Love Kids offers pediatric dentistry in Vancouver, Washington, and we can help get your child on the path to oral health quickly. 

We have decades of experience working with children and are proud to offer a caring and comfortable environment, not to mention a full range of pediatric dental services. Request an appointment today.

Though the sound of the tool wasn’t delightful, you were likely able to mentally drown out the noise. But when it comes to your kids at the dentist, they might not be able to drown out the noise entirely as you do. And that’s where laser dentistry can help mitigate your child’s dental anxiety.

Let laser dentistry help ease your child’s dental anxiety. 

Historically, dentists have used dental power tools to remove tooth decay from cavities in primary teeth. These hand tools help the dentist to change the shape of the hole in the tooth so that it can better hold permanent filling material. And these little power tools used for dental purposes are quite noisy. After all, in order to be effective, the bits need to move rapidly, which causes that shrieking sound. On top of it, the tool sounds louder than it actually is due to the proximity that your mouth has to your ears.

But new approaches to modern dentistry have provided better ways to remove tooth decay from a diseased tooth. Laser dentistry, such as what we use at Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry, ensures that procedures are minimally invasive, keeping young patients comfortable and safe. Dental lasers repair cavities without all the painful stuff. Not only that, but the sound is much quieter, and the vibration that comes with a standard dental hand tool is essentially eliminated.

Lasers provide an exact way to fix dental caries. Dental lasers use an invisible light beam to virtually zap cavities away, leaving the appropriate amount of space for a filling to be placed. As a result, dentists don’t need to remove as much of the healthy tooth as they do when using more traditional dental tools. 

Help your child prepare for their laser dentistry appointment.

If your child needs a dental filling, there are things you can do at home before the appointment to help ease their anxiety. In our experience, parents following the advice below have seen their children have more effective dental appointments.

1. Be open and transparent.

We know that some kids think it is scary to go to the dentist. But we also know that the more open and honest with your child about what to expect, the better the appointment will go. So, before your child comes in for their filling, make sure they know what a cavity is and how a filling will fix it… keeping their teeth healthy and strong. 

2. Make dentist day a special day.

It can sometimes be challenging to find a day dedicated to your child. However, the day your child gets their dental filling creates an excellent opportunity for you to do something special with them, either before or after. 

Enjoy a meal together out at your child’s favorite restaurant before the appointment. Let them pick the family movie that night before bed. Anything you can do to make your child feel special that day will help ease their anxiety.

3. Have your child bring a favorite stuffie or blanket to their appointment.

We always encourage parents to allow their children to bring a favorite stuffie or blanket to the dentist with them. Though we’re confident we can help your child have a successful appointment, having something cozy and familiar can make quite a difference. 

So before you leave the house, have them grab their favorite teddy bear, their sleepy blanket, or whatever gives them comfort. And encourage them to tell us at their appointment why their toy or blanket are so special to them!

4. Let the team at Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry help!

Our team believes in helping reduce dental anxiety in kids through behavior guidance. While sedation dentistry is an excellent option for kids who just can’t calm themselves for their appointment, it isn’t the only option. Our team can help reduce dental-related anxiety through behavior guidance and non-medication options. 

This highly-effective technique alleviates dental anxiety and creates a positive attitude about going to the dentist. Behavior guidance enables pediatric dentists to perform dental treatments for children of all ages and abilities. And our no-size-fits-all approach means that each treatment will be tailored to suit the child’s individual needs.

Experience the difference in laser dentistry at Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Vancouver, Washington.

If your child has cavities in their primary teeth, your pediatric dentist in Vancouver, Washington can help. Request an appointment today and see how laser dentistry can make your child comfortable in the dentist’s chair. During your child’s consultation, we’ll answer all of the questions that parents ask about laser dentistry. We’re confident that you too will see how the magic of laser dentistry is a game-changer when it comes to dentistry for kids.

If you are the parent of a baby with a lip-tie or tongue-tie, you’ve likely been told by their pediatric dentist or pediatrician that they need a frenectomy. 

A frenectomy is a surgical procedure that corrects a lip-tie or a tongue-tie. Correcting these ailments can help improve your baby’s tongue range of motion or minimize the gap between two teeth. And with modern dental technology, a frenectomy is a fast and simple treatment that will yield a host of benefits for both you and your little one.

How do I know if my child needs a frenectomy?

Pediatricians and pediatric dentists will recommend a frenectomy for babies born with tethered oral tissue, commonly referred to as a tongue-tie. The frenulum is both the tiny piece of oral tissue that connects your baby’s upper lip to their upper jaw and the small oral tissue that connects their tongue to their lower jaw. If the frenulum is too tight, their tongue range of motion is limited. So, a frenectomy enables a broader range of motion.

So, how do you know if your child needs a frenectomy or if they are tongue-tied? Keep an eye out for the following signs of trouble.

1. Your baby is having a hard time maintaining a latch during breastfeeding.
2. Your child predominantly breathes through their mouth rather than their nose.
3. There is a gap between your baby’s two front teeth.
4. Your baby is having a hard time swallowing breast milk or formula.
5. Your baby’s gums are receding prematurely.
6. Your toddler seems to have a speech impediment.

If your child needs a frenectomy but doesn’t receive proper treatment, it can lead to various problems. Typical problems include abnormal jaw development, snoring, sleep apnea, teeth grinding, TMJ disorder, behavior and attention issues, and more. And if you are a breastfeeding parent, you most likely want your tongue-tied baby to be able to nurse successfully. Breastfeeding significantly reduces your baby’s risks of developing various diseases and infections, experiencing stomach issues, and more.

What to Expect Before, During, and After Your Child’s Frenectomy Procedure

As with any medical procedure for kids, parents want to know what to expect. Read on for what parents should know about their child’s frenectomy.

Before the Frenectomy 

Since the frenectomy procedure is relatively straightforward, little preparation is required. Your child will likely not need to take any pain medication in advance. And, for dentists who use the diode laser to correct a tongue-tie, only a topical anesthetic will be required. 

To make it even better, parents don’t have to worry about a scary procedure for their baby. The diode laser doesn’t vibrate or make loud noises, and it does not come into contact with your child. The only contact with the laser is from the laser’s light.

During the Frenectomy 

Our dentists at Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Vancouver, Washington, use a diode laser for all tongue-tie and lip-tie surgeries. This diode laser dentistry procedure takes under ten minutes and offers various benefits over traditional frenectomies that are performed with scalpels, scissors, and other dental tools. 

An operating room isn’t needed, nor is sedation. The laser will cauterize your child’s frenulum, which will minimize bleeding and render sutures unnecessary. This means a more comfortable procedure and easier healing process for your child. It also means less anxiety for mom and dad.

After the Frenectomy 

Since the laser cauterizes the tissue it cuts, there will be little to no bleeding. This means your baby should be able to latch on immediately after the procedure. Some soreness and swelling are common, and your child’s doctor or pediatric dentist will likely recommend some over-the-counter pain medication, such as Tylenol, to keep them comfortable. Parents should keep the area clean to enable proper healing. 

We often suggest placing a thin layer of breast milk in a plastic bag in the freezer, and then breaking off a piece to place on the wound to numb the area. And, we recommend giving your baby a lot of skin-to-skin contact to let them know they are safe and loved. This said, your child should expect to see a full recovery and improved feeding in just a few days or less. 

Contact your pediatric dentist if you think your child may need a frenectomy. 

If your baby’s frenulum is creating latch issues or you notice some of the other signs and symptoms listed above, it is time to request an appointment with their pediatric dentist or pediatrician. If you are in the Vancouver, Washington, area, we encourage you to contact the Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry team. Dr. Gagneja can examine your baby’s mouth to determine the source of their latch issues and whether or not a frenectomy can help.

What is laser dentistry?

At Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry, we use the latest hard tissue laser technology to provide comfortable and effective dental procedures. This technology is a real game changer, allowing for new approaches to a variety of dental treatments.

A hard tissue laser removes tooth decay without harming the surrounding healthy enamel and dentin. It achieves the same task that conventional dental tools, scrapers, and files do. 

Soft tissue lasers have been used for a long time to treat gum disease and other issues, but new hard tissue lasers are the first to be used in treating tooth decay.

Hard tissue lasers benefit patients by both removing tooth decay and sterilizing the surface required for the filling. These lasers are also used in a variety of other applications, such as removing and replacing composite or resin restorations.

Laser Dentistry vs. Conventional Dentistry

Hard tissue lasers provide a number of key benefits over conventional dentistry. There are some situations where traditional dental tools are still required, but laser dentistry is typically the better option whenever it’s suitable. The benefits of laser dentistry for kids make dental procedures so much easier for you and your child.

No Anesthetic Required

One of the most distressing parts of a dental procedure for young children is the initial shot of anesthesia. This local anesthetic prevents them from feeling pain during the procedure, but they do feel the shot, meaning that the procedure starts off with the child already upset and uncomfortable.

In most cases, no anesthetic is required during hard tissue laser procedures. Your child will experience a slight tingling from the laser as it removes tooth decay, but they shouldn’t feel pain or even discomfort. This makes every procedure quite a bit easier and less stressful for your child.

No Discomfort

Even with an anesthetic, having a cavity prepared with conventional dental tools can be uncomfortable. The child still feels the vibration from the tool and hears the loud and disconcerting noise, which can turn even a routine dental procedure into a very uncomfortable visit.

Laser dentistry for children does away with all of that. The laser doesn’t vibrate. It doesn’t make loud noises. No part of the machine comes into contact with your child — only the laser light itself!

This minimally invasive treatment keeps your child calm and comfortable throughout the procedure. As a result, your child will soon forget about their worries about visiting the dentist and instead see it as an important part of maintaining their oral health.

Better Results

Our hard tissue laser is incredibly precise — much more precise than what even the most skilled dentist can achieve by hand. This means that less material is removed during the preparation of the cavity. 

When removing tooth decay, it’s impossible to avoid removing some healthy enamel and dentin as well. Laser dentistry for children reduces that to an absolute minimum.

The sterilizing effect of the laser also reduces the chance of further tooth decay occurring in the same place. The laser removes any bacteria present within the cavity, ensuring that tooth decay doesn’t continue once the filling is placed.

The laser also creates an ideal bonding surface for the filling material, reducing the long-term risk of the filling breaking or falling out. Not only is laser dentistry more comfortable, but it gets the job done more effectively than other treatment options.

A Better Experience for Everyone

It can be hard to convince your child that a visit to the kid’s dentist is in their best interests. Even if they understand the importance of dental care, the idea of conventional dental procedures can frighten them. This more comfortable option can help reduce those fears.

A child who struggles with anxiety or who is sensitive to noises and vibration can significantly benefit from laser dentistry. The stress-free treatment can turn what would have been a major challenge for your child into a smooth experience that will leave them confident to visit the dentist again in the future.

Laser Dentistry in Vancouver

Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry has the latest hard tissue laser technology to provide kids with comfortable and effective dental treatments. These treatments are less invasive and quieter than traditional dentistry, creating a better patient experience for your child. We provide a wide range of kids’ dentistry options and can help parents with children of any age. Contact Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry today to book an appointment for your child.

It’s not uncommon for breastfeeding moms to worry about whether their little bundle of joy has a tongue or lip tie, and if so, what’s the best way to treat it. In your research on this condition, you’ve probably come across terms like frenulum, frenectomy, or ankyloglossia, but don’t let these scientific phrases confuse you. 

Here’s everything you need to know about lip and tongue ties, from symptoms to treatment options, including laser tongue-tie and lip-tie surgeries. 

Symptoms of a Tongue-tie or Lip-tie in Infants

A tongue-tie or, as medical professionals call it, ankyloglossia is a condition where the thin flap of skin under the tongue, the frenulum, attaches too closely to the bottom of the mouth, restricting the movement of the tongue. Many babies with a tongue-tie also have a short labial frenulum,  the membrane that connects the upper lip to the upper gums, causing mobility issues with the lips. This is what’s known as a lip-tie.

The most common symptom of a tongue-tie or lip-tie in infants is difficulty breastfeeding. When a baby can’t move their tongue or lips properly, they can have a hard time latching onto the breast, and even when they do succeed in settling their mouth on the nipple, many parents find that they keep pulling off, unable to feed for long periods of time. 

Some babies with a tongue-tie have a heart-shaped dent in the tip of their tongue, particularly when they cry. A clicking sound while nursing, difficulty lifting the tongue upward, and an inability to move the tongue side to side are other symptoms of a lip- or tongue-tie.

If you’re a nursing mother with a child who has a tongue- or lip-tie, you may experience pain during feedings or have nipples that appear to be compressed into a wedged shape that resembles a new lipstick, especially right after feeding.

How a Tongue-tie or Lip-tie Affects Your Child

Lip-ties and tongue-ties can affect the movement of the lips and tongue in varying degrees. The shorter the frenulum, the more difficult breastfeeding your child will be. Some infants with the condition may not even have any problems with feeding, and those who do often benefit from slight adjustments in positioning and attachment. Nonetheless, there are still some infants for whom these solutions don’t work, and unless treatment is sought, the restrictions in the tongue and lip movement can lead to dental and overall health issues.

An untreated tongue-tie in older children, for instance, can make it difficult for them to keep their teeth clean, which increases their risk of tooth decay and cavities. A gap between the front bottom teeth may develop in kids with a tongue-tie, which can make performing everyday kid stuff, like licking an ice cream cone and playing a wind instrument, challenging. 

Just like with tongue-ties, a short labial frenulum (lip-tie) can lead to tooth decay when food debris gets trapped in the teeth because of the upper lip. Kids with lip-ties or tongue-ties normally don’t have trouble learning to speak, but they can find it difficult to pronounce “th” and “r” sounds. 

Tongue-tie and Lip-tie Newborn Treatment Options

Medical professionals, like ENT doctors, normally treat tongue- and lip-ties with an in-office procedure known as a frenectomy. The quick surgery involves using a scalpel or surgical scissors to cut the band of tissue that’s restricting movement in the tongue or lip. In newborns, a frenectomy is often done in the doctor’s office using a local anesthetic, while older children may require general anesthesia in an inpatient facility. This procedure typically also involves sutures.

At Must Love Kids, we use a specially designed diode laser for all tongue-tie and lip-tie surgeries. A diode laser procedure takes less than ten minutes from start to finish and has several advantages over frenectomies performed with scalpels or scissors. First, the laser helps cauterize the frenulum, which not only minimizes bleeding but also makes sutures unnecessary and the healing process less painful for your child. 

This form of treatment also only requires a topical anesthetic. Older children may occasionally require stronger anesthesia for laser tongue-tie and lip-tie surgeries, but this type of treatment still provides a better experience for your little one and a more comfortable, faster healing time than alternative methods.

Laser Tongue-tie and Lip-tie Surgeries in Vancouver

Our Vancouver pediatric dentistry practice provides laser treatment to newborns who, along with their mothers, struggle breastfeeding due to the presence of a lip- or tongue-tie. While examining your child for a tongue- or lip-tie is a good place to start for a diagnosis, you’ll still need to book a consultation with a qualified pediatric dentist for a professional examination to determine the proper treatment method for your child. 

Dr. Mo and Dr. G are certified in laser surgery techniques, providing minimally invasive procedures without causing unnecessary pain and discomfort while offering increased safety. Feel welcome to visit our Vancouver practice for a diagnosis!

Has your child’s pediatric dentist mentioned laser dentistry? Have you noticed this type of dentistry listed on a pediatric dentist’s website? Here are the top 10 most common questions Dr. Mo and Dr. G of Must Love Kids get from curious parents.

1. Is laser dentistry safe for kids?

Laser dentistry is exceptionally safe for kids, and there is no minimum age for patients. In fact the many benefits of this type of dentistry often allow for sensitive procedures to be safely done on infants and toddlers. These benefits include minimal invasiveness, greatly reduced bleeding and swelling, and a painless experience for the child. In many ways, laser dentistry is the safest surgical or restorative option for kids.

2. What risks are associated with it?

The risks of laser dentistry for kids are exceptionally low—even more so than traditional options. This is largely due to how gentle this type of dentistry is on the teeth, gum tissue, and oral soft tissues. The reduced need for anesthesia (or being able to skip numbing altogether) further lowers the risks of possible side effects associated with those medications.

Dr. Mo and Dr. G are both certified in laser surgery and continue to stay up to date with the best techniques in pediatric dental care.

3. Is it really a pain-free experience for kids?

Pain tolerance can vary just as much in kids as it does in adults. That being said, this type of dentistry is typically a pain-free experience for kids. In some instances of in-depth treatment or laser oral surgery, localized anesthesia may be used to ensure your child is comfortable throughout the procedure.

4. Can laser technology be used for my child’s cavities?

Yes! Dr. Mo and Dr. G offer both soft tissue and hard tissue laser dentistry for their patients. Hard tissue dental lasers can replace traditional drills for removing tooth decay and any damaged tooth enamel. This makes for a wonderful experience for kids as there are no loud noises or jarring sensations during cavity treatment.

5. What other procedures can it be used for?

Soft tissue dental lasers are incredibly versatile, allowing our pediatric dentists to offer this technology for a wide range of procedures. Some popular services in which we utilize laser technology are pulpotomies (baby root canals), lip ties, tongue-ties, and gum tissue abnormalities.

6. Does it cost more than traditional options?

Costs of dental care can’t be accurately estimated before a consultation as there are many factors at play. That being said, laser dentistry is generally comparable in cost to traditional or non-laser treatment. The difference is often small in the event that laser dentistry may cost more. Considering the advantages of this type of dentistry, the potential for a slightly more expensive procedure is worth it.

7. Will my child’s dental insurance cover laser dentistry?

Dental insurance coverage certainly varies, but a growing number of major dental insurance plans do cover laser dentistry for any necessary dental work. Most dental insurance plans reimburse costs based on the treatment itself rather than what method is being used. This means that in the majority of cases, something like treatment for a cavity or the revision of a tongue-tie will be covered to the same degree as if it were being done with a drill or oral surgery.

8. Why do dentists recommend it for kids?

Pediatric dentists wholeheartedly recommend laser dentistry for kids because of how beneficial it is for their young patients. It allows dentists to work quickly, effectively, and precisely, reducing the time your child is sitting for treatment. Post-treatment benefits include a faster healing time for kids and a reduced risk of swelling, infection, and discomfort.

9. Is laser dentistry alright for kids with anxiety or special needs?

Absolutely! Laser dentistry can often make anesthesia-free dental care possible for kids with dental anxiety or special needs. Common procedures, like treating a cavity or pulpotomy, can be a very overwhelming experience for kids when a loud, buzzing drill is used. It is far more gentle for kids, both on a physical and mental level.

10. How will I know if it is right for my child?

Most kids who are candidates for traditional treatment will be candidates for laser dentistry. That being said, the only way to know for certain is through an in-person consultation with their pediatric dentist. After an evaluation, your child’s dentist will be able to determine if it is the most effective choice. Major restorations and treating a tooth with a metal filling present are two examples of situations in which it isn’t appropriate.

Ask your child’s dentist about laser dentistry during their next appointment.

If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist in Vancouver, WA, that offers this type of dentistry for kids, Must Love Kids is the place to go. Our team is experienced in working with kids of all ages with all abilities and needs. We proudly offer a number of advanced dental care services and technologies, including soft tissue and hard tissue laser dentistry.

To learn more about laser dentistry, book your child’s next appointment by calling our office or filling out this online form.

As parents gain better access to information about breastfeeding and its benefits for them and their baby, more mothers—about 80% of them—are choosing to breastfeed their babies. A 2016 study found that 51.8% of babies are still breastfeeding at six months, which is up from only 35% in 2000. Despite this, only a third of women manage to breastfeed their babies for the recommended year, and about 60% of women report having to stop breastfeeding sooner than they would like. Lip and tongue ties are major causes of women struggling to breastfeed, but they’re incredibly simple issues to solve. This guide provides signs of lip and tongue ties that parents can look out for as well as how laser dentistry can help quickly and easily resolve the issue, making breastfeeding comfortable and easy for mother and child alike—perhaps for the first time.

What is a lip or tongue tie?

A tongue tie occurs when the frenelum, or the membrane that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth, is too thick or too short. Likewise, a lip tie occurs when the membrane that connects the upper or lower lip to the gums is too short or too thick.

Signs of a Lip or Tongue Tie

Babies with a lip tie or tongue tie don’t have a full range of motion in their tongue or lips, which often causes issues during breastfeeding sessions. They may struggle to latch onto the breast, let alone to latch on deeply. Parents may also notice a clicking sound as their baby nurses. This happens when the baby is losing the suction needed to stay latched onto the breast. These problems make it difficult for many babies to get enough milk in a single session, which can lead to near-constant feedings, fussiness while nursing, colic, and poor weight gain. Babies with a lip or tongue tie may also struggle to handle fast-flowing milk, choking or coughing instead of getting it down. In extreme cases, the issues caused by lip or tongue ties can lead to jaundice that needs to be treated by doctors.

As a baby with a lip or tongue tie grows into a toddler, parents may notice that they have trouble sticking their tongue out past a certain point or eating from a spoon. They may even struggle to eat certain finger foods. Tongue ties in particular can cause speech issues in toddlers because the lack of mobility in their tongues makes producing certain sounds difficult. In some cases, speech therapy and accompanying exercises can stretch out the frenulum, helping to resolve speech issues.

Effects of Lip or Tongue Tie on Breastfeeding Mothers

When a baby has a lip or tongue tie, the resulting issues with breastfeeding can have a significant impact on mothers as well. Frequent feedings are often exhausting for parents, and their baby’s constant struggle to get a deep latch, during which they may gum or chew at the breast, can cause pain, discomfort, and discouragement for mothers. It can damage mothers’ nipples and lead to engorged breasts, blocked ducts, and mastitis. Issues with the supply of milk, either producing too much or not enough, can also result from their baby’s struggle to nurse normally.

Benefits of Surgery

A laser revision is a simple laser dentistry procedure that can resolve both lip and tongue ties in just a few minutes, giving babies full mobility in their lip and tongue. The procedure’s results are immediate, allowing the baby to latch normally right after it’s complete. As a result, breastfeeding becomes a much easier and more comfortable experience for both mom and baby. Since their baby is nursing more easily, parents will also likely notice that their baby doesn’t need to eat as often, wakes up less in the night, and has an easier time gaining weight at a normal rate.

Plus, treating a lip or tongue tie when their baby is young prevents speech issues as they grow and allows them to easily carry out simple activities that tongue ties can make difficult, such as eating ice cream or playing a wind instrument. A tongue tie, in particular, can also make proper oral hygiene difficult, as it prevents children from using their tongue to remove bits of food from their teeth and can contribute to the formation of a gap between their bottom front teeth.

Overview of the Procedure

The procedure to resolve lip and tongue ties, called a frenectomy, is simple, and fast for your child. For older children, Dr. Mo or Dr. G will apply a topical anesthetic to the area to numb it before cutting the frenulum using a dental laser. For newborn babies, anesthetics are mostly avoided. This cutting-edge tool uses concentrated light to quickly and precisely cut the tissue, causing less bleeding and inflammation than traditional tools like a scalpel or a scissor. Dental lasers also sterilize as they cut and encourage healing, so they significantly reduce the chances that the area will become infected and help it heal faster. The laser revision process is incredibly fast, taking just a few minutes from start to finish.

Recovery

The recovery process is generally just as simple as the procedure itself. Visible healing begins within one or two days and is generally complete in about a week. Parents may notice a white scab forming on the wound during the beginning stages of healing, but this is normal and heals quickly. The most important part of the recovery process is keeping this area mobile and stretched to ensure that the frenulum doesn’t reattach to the base of the tongue as it heals. This is possible, but thankfully it’s relatively easy to prevent! Dr. Mo and Dr. G will provide parents with care instructions and exercises that will help them prevent the frenulum from reattaching and speed the healing process while helping to strengthen the baby’s tongue.

How to Get a Consultation

Thankfully, it’s easy to get a consultation regarding a child’s lip or tongue tie and the condition can be diagnosed with a simple physical exam. Parents simply need to find a pediatric dentist or pediatrician who is experienced at diagnosing lip and tongue ties as well as performing frenectomies using cutting-edge technology to make the procedure as comfortable and successful as possible. Must Love Kids is a great resource in Vancouver, WA, for lip tie and tongue tie consultations and treatments. Once you’ve chosen an office you feel that you can trust, it’s as simple as calling and scheduling an appointment for a consultation!

Technology has changed almost every industry for the better, and dentistry is no exception.

Today, state-of-the-art laser dentistry services are transforming the way dental visits look for both children and adults alike. Innovative, sleek, and fascinating, these tools help eliminate the fear around common procedures.

Our pint-sized patients can especially benefit from this minimally invasive approach! Today, we’re sharing 10 benefits of laser dentistry for children to help you better understand how this technology works.

What is laser dentistry?

As its name implies, laser dentistry is the use of a specially-designed laser to treat a range of dental conditions. In many cases, this laser can take the place of traditional drills and is appropriate for use in both hard tissue and soft tissue procedures.

Dental lasers utilize the power of water, air, and laser energy to deliver effective, precise treatment solutions. In recent years, laser dentistry has become a go-to technique for myriad dental issues. A few of the most common applications include:

• Tooth decay
• Tooth hypersensitivity
• Gum disease

What are the benefits of laser dentistry for children?

It’s natural for children to be a little hesitant about visiting the dentist. However, laser dentistry can make the experience less intimidating and more interesting! Let’s take a look at 10 reasons you should consider it for your child’s next appointment.

1. Fewer Shots Needed

For a child with a cavity, one of the most nerve-wracking parts about getting a filling is the shot of anesthesia required to numb the tooth first! This is one of the top reasons many pediatric dentists prefer to use lasers.

These tools have an analgesic effect, allowing them to effectively numb the area they impact. In many cases, this means a shot isn’t necessary at all!

2. No Loud Noises

Does your child dread hearing the buzz of the drill every time they sit in the dentist’s chair? We understand that the sound of many dental tools can be unnerving, especially for those with sensory processing disorders. The good news? A laser eliminates this concern.

The procedure is nearly silent, save for the slight tingling sound the laser makes. This can help put your child at ease and sets the stage for a smooth and successful visit!

3. More Comfortable

If your child can tolerate a gentle spray of water in their mouth, then laser dentistry procedures shouldn’t be cause for concern. These tools are gentle, effective, and nearly pain-free, and can help quell cases of dental anxiety!

In all, laser dentistry is more comfortable than traditional approaches and can help your child overcome any prior fear of visiting the dentist. The approach helps eliminate any unnecessary pain or discomfort and is well tolerated by most children.

4. Shorter Healing Time

Many soft tissue dental procedures require the use of dissolvable dental stitches or sutures. These are used to close an open wound or surgical incision.

While often necessary, sutures can extend the time it takes for a patient to heal. On the other hand, when dental lasers are used, sutures are often not required. This helps quicken the healing process and allows for easier recovery.

5. Minimal Bleeding

Laser dentistry treatments help reduce the amount of bleeding and swelling that results from pediatric dentistry procedures. This is because the high-energy light beam encourages pain-free clotting.

This is not only welcomed news for parents, but it can also help your little one recover quicker with fewer complications.

6. Less Risk of Cross-Contamination

The tip of the laser will not touch your child’s tooth. Not only does this help make laser dentistry safer, but it also reduces the risk of cross-contamination.

The laser helps keep unwanted bacteria from entering your child’s mouth throughout each procedure. This helps ensure a sanitary dental environment.

7. Greater Precision

The focus of a dental laser is extremely precise. This makes it especially effective in cavity treatments, allowing our dentists to save more of your child’s healthy tooth than would be possible using a traditional drill.

In addition to making the procedures themselves more exact, this precision also means your child will spend less time in the dentist’s chair!

8. Treatment for Tongue Ties and Lip Ties

Our laser treatment services are designed to treat a variety of pediatric dental concerns. This includes tongue ties and lip ties.

In these cases, we will exclusively use our special diode laser to provide a safe, effective, and virtually pain-free procedure to eliminate the discomfort these ties can create.

9. No Numbness

Without anesthesia shots, you don’t have to worry about the cumbersome and often painful side effects of numbing following dental surgery.

Your child won’t run the risk of biting their lip, cheek, or tongue as they wait for the numbness to wear off. This helps prevent bleeding and discomfort during the healing process.

10. No Vibration

When a dentist uses a drill, they must apply a slight degree of pressure to eliminate tooth decay. This can cause your jaw to become strained, and it can also create uncomfortable vibrations.

With a dental laser, this pressure is not required. Rather, the pediatric dentist will simply aim the laser at the affected area for treatment, allowing for a more comfortable overall experience.

Book a laser dentistry appointment today!

A visit to the dentist’s office doesn’t have to be nerve-wracking. Laser dentistry offers a unique and tech-savvy way forward, helping even the most timid patients attend their appointments with confidence.

From preventive cleanings and fillings to more advanced dental surgeries, our team is skilled and experienced in using our LiteTouch next-generation dental laser. To discover more of the benefits of laser dentistry or to book an appointment today, reach out to our office.

When you hear about lasers, it’s usually in the context of science fiction, such as the lightsabers and blasters in Star Wars. Since lasers have such a fantastical association in many people’s minds, it’s common for laser dentistry to sound like science fiction to many parents. But while dental lasers certainly use the latest technology, they’ve actually been around a long time. Before dentists started using laser dentistry, dozens of studies were performed to ensure that it is both safe and effective.

So whether your child has a cavity or needs a frenectomy for a lip or tongue tie, you can rest assured that laser dentistry is an incredibly safe treatment method. In fact, dental lasers have a wide range of benefits, such as reducing the risk of infections, that make them an ideal treatment method for your little one. Here’s a breakdown of the qualities that make dental lasers a safe, effective treatment for your child.

Dental lasers are incredibly precise.

The beam of concentrated light waves that dental lasers produce is extremely small, which plays a role in its accuracy and precision. Another reason lasers are so safe and precise, however, comes down to how they work. Dental lasers target the water molecules in hard or soft tissue, and since decaying tissue contains more water molecules than healthy tissue, lasers only target decaying tissue. As a result, the laser won’t damage healthy parts of your little one’s mouth. Additionally, when Dr. Mo or Dr. G are treating a cavity, they don’t have to remove as much healthy tooth material as they would with a drill. The laser leaves more healthy, natural tooth behind—and that’s always better for your child’s long-term oral health.

Laser dentistry is usually painless.

Since they are made up of a concentrated beam of light, dental lasers cauterize as they cut, sealing off nerve endings—often making the procedure painless. The laser simply feels like a spray of water in your child’s mouth. This lack of pain reduces or eliminates the need for your young one to get the numbing shot they dread so much, making the appointment easier and less stressful for them. It also helps reduce the time you spend in our office because there’s no waiting for the anesthetic shot to kick in enough for Dr. Mo or Dr. G to get started.

Plus, without the lingering numbness that localized anesthetics cause, you won’t have to worry about your child biting the inside of their lip or cheek without realizing it. This lack of pain doesn’t just last during the procedure, either—your child’s teeth or mouth will be sore after the procedure, but they’ll experience less pain than they would with traditional treatment methods using a scalpel or dental drill.

Dental lasers reduce swelling and bleeding.

The ability of dental lasers to cauterize while they cut also reduces the swelling and bleeding that your youngster will experience during and after their treatment. Not only does this make it easier for your child’s pediatric dentist to see what they’re doing during the procedure, but it often eliminates the need for sutures. This further reduces the pain your child will feel during the healing process, and all of these factors work together to minimize your child’s discomfort while they heal.

Dental lasers reduce the risk of infection and encourage faster healing.

Dental lasers target decaying tissue incredibly well, ensuring that all the diseased tissue is destroyed, but they also sterilize while they cut. This greatly reduces the risk of infection during the healing process and allows Dr. Mo or Dr. G to prescribe little to no antibiotics after the procedure. Since the lasers cause less bleeding and swelling, seal the wound immediately without requiring sutures, and lessen the likelihood of infections, they actively encourage your child’s tissues to heal faster. This means that not only will your child experience less pain or discomfort in general, but the discomfort they do feel will last for a shorter period of time.

Laser dentistry gives kids a great experience, even if they need a cavity filled.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of factors in traditional dental treatments that make them scary for kids, including the numbing shots and the dental tools themselves—after all, dental drills are incredibly loud and create strong vibrating sensations, while scalpels are quite clearly sharp. Dental lasers get around a lot of this because they often don’t require numbing shots and they don’t look very intimidating.

Even hard tissue lasers, which are used to treat cavities, are much less scary to many children because they don’t create a vibrating sensation and are quiet compared to a drill, only making slight popping sounds instead of the grating, grinding sounds of a drill. For many children, this less-intimidating sensory experience paired with the lack of needles makes them much less anxious during the procedure, making it a better experience for everyone involved!

Dental lasers don’t look or behave like the lasers in Star Wars—and that’s probably a good thing! Regardless, they have the potential to transform your child’s experience at the dentist by providing a quick, painless, and less intimidating treatment that also provides concrete health benefits by reducing the risk of complications and promoting faster healing. When you put those qualities together, it becomes clear that dental lasers aren’t just safe—they are actively beneficial for your child’s short- and long-term oral health.