In general, dental laser procedures are very well-tolerated by children. We take every measure to ensure that discomfort and stress during the procedure are minimized.
- General anesthesia is not utilized in the office.
- Due to laser safety regulations, parents are not allowed in the treatment room during the procedure.
- Dr. Levine will carry your baby to and from the room, and the approximate time away from you is about 5-10 minutes. The actual time of lasering is 15-30 seconds.
- Crying and fussing are common during and after the procedure for infants.
- You may breastfeed, bottle-feed, or soothe your baby in any manner you’d like following the procedure.
- Treatment is completed with the newborn swaddled. This is to prevent any uncontrolled movements during the procedure and keep your child safe and comfortable. Your child will be provided with eye protection, and topical anesthesia may be utilized. Post-operative discomfort is minimal.
Most infants do not require any pain medications following a laser frenectomy. However, every child is different and responds to this intervention differently.
- You may notice more irritability or fatigue in your infant, depending on the severity of treated ties or just some difference in sensitivity.
- If you feel that pain medication is appropriate, Tylenol should be sufficient. A single dose can be given every 6-8 hours.
- After the first 36-48 hours, we would not expect pain medication to be necessary.
How to Prepare for the Procedure
The best way to prepare for the procedure is to have the medications you will need on hand so you can focus on your child following the procedure.
Tylenol
- You do not need to give any medication prior to the procedure. Dosage using the dropper in the manufacturer’s packaging:
- 6-11 pounds – 1.25mL
- 12-17 pounds – 2.5mL
- 18-23 pounds – 3.75mL
- 24-35 pounds – 5mL
- The concentration of Tylenol should be 160mg/5mL. Some places may sell a concentrated form at 80mg/0.8mL – this is not the one we want you to use.
- For children 6 months of age or older, you may use ibuprofen instead (or with Tylenol). Please follow the dosing instructions on the package.
You may use whatever works for your family. This includes homeopathic remedies like arnica or Rescue Remedy, or nothing at all. Because numbing medicine is used during the procedure and because the laser itself has some analgesic properties, not everyone needs medication beforehand.
Our Team Approach
We feel that post-revision care is important to the success of the revision. Essentially, the baby must learn how to use their tongue in a new way. Some babies need no help at all and immediately breastfeed post-procedure, while other babies may need help from additional professionals.
- An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can help improve latch, provide suck strengthening exercises, and develop a feeding plan to address issues of latch, nipple healing, and low milk supply.
- A speech or developmental feeding therapist can help babies learn to use their tongues for more effective eating and speech.
- A craniosacral therapist or chiropractor can help babies release tight muscles that have compensated for a tight frenulum or improper suck.
