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When your child is about to undergo any type of medical procedure, it’s only natural to want to know everything about every part of the process – including recovery. Fortunately, laser frenectomies help speed up healing and help foster a more comfortable post-op experience. You can expect your child’s recovery timeline to be minimal, and with some professional tips, you can sail smoothly through aftercare!
Recovery Timeline for Laser Frenectomies
Because releasing a tongue-tie with a laser instantly cauterizes the wound, laser frenectomies have much shorter recovery timelines compared to frenectomies performed with a traditional scalpel. Post-treatment soreness typically only lasts for a day or two, and within 14 days, your child’s treatment area should be fully or mostly healed!
Aftercare Tips
The discomfort that your child experiences after a laser frenectomy is also less than what they would likely feel with the more traditional method. As long as you take care to make sure they’re age-appropriate, you can give your little one an over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce soreness.
One thing to note about the recovery process is that there is a small chance for the released tissue to grow and reattach to your child’s tongue. Helping them stretch their oral muscles can prevent this – as well as encourage them to learn how to use their full range of movement. Your pediatric dentist will know which stretches you should perform, but here’s a list of examples:
- Gently use two fingers to lift your child’s tongue as high as it will go. After two seconds, release their tongue.
- Carefully massage either side of your child’s treatment area.
- Rub one finger back and forth along your child’s gumline. Their tongue should follow your movements.
When to Call Your Pediatric Dentist
Make no mistake, laser frenectomies are considered to be extremely safe. That said, it’s still important to know the difference between normal post-op symptoms and ones that could be cause for concern. You shouldn’t be alarmed if you notice:
- White or yellow skin tissue near the treatment site
- Changes in your child’s feeding or sleeping habits
- Mild fussiness
Call your pediatric dentist for:
- Excessive bleeding
- Prolonged refusal to eat
- Fever or other signs of infection
Remember, if you’re ever in doubt about how well your child is doing after their laser frenectomy, it never hurts to consult your pediatric dentist. They’ll be happy to help ensure your child has a smooth recovery.
About the Practice
Dr. Justin Welke and Dr. Bindi Vibhakar are board-certified pediatric dentists in Chicago. They specialize in tongue-tie treatments, and are proud to offer laser frenectomies as a more comfortable alternative to traditional methods. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s recovery, Dr. Justin and Dr. Vibhakar are well-qualified to help! To contact their office for an appointment, call 312-248-2455.