Cosmetic Dental Clinic: What Is CO2 Laser Tongue-Tie Treatment?

Cosmetic Dental Clinic

Cosmetic Dental Clinic | If an infant is unable to properly feed, they may have a condition known as tongue-tie, which restricts the motion of the tongue. Such an infant cannot properly move their tongue to drink enough milk. As a result, they may be constantly hungry and losing weight if they are not treated promptly.

Many parents are unfamiliar with this condition, and as the child gets older, they can have problems chewing and speaking. Fortunately, a treatment with a CO2 laser from a cosmetic dental clinic can free the tongue and the problems that came with the condition.

The symptoms of tongue-tie may include the following:

• Difficulty moving the tongue, especially from side to side
• Infant appears to gasp for air while feeding
• Child falls asleep rapidly when feeding
• Infant uses their gums to latch
• Gulping milk
• Low weight
• Cannot use a pacifier or prefers bottle to breast

In addition to difficulty with feeding, a child with tongue-tie can develop oral problems like tooth decay and gum disease. The tongue plays a role in helping keep teeth clean. Its correct position also makes it more likely that teeth develop properly without spaces or gaps.

What is tongue-tie?

Tongue-tie is a condition that develops in the womb due to an inherited gene mutation. The frenulum is a small tissue band extending from the mouth floor to the bottom of the tongue. A baby born with tongue-tie has a too-short or thick frenulum, which restricts the movement of the tongue.

Surgical Release

Many infants are held by a surgical tongue-tie release procedure; however, this type of surgery does not come without complications. Some potential complications following the procedure include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Tongue damage
• Damage to salivary glands
• Regrowth of tongue-tie if post-procedure steps are not followed properly

CO2 Laser vs. Other Laser Treatments

It comes down to burning versus vaporizing. In contrast to a diode laser that basically burns away soft tissue, a CO2 laser vaporizes this tissue. That leads to a much more gentle treatment that does not involve damage to tissues nearby or create heat. As a result, your child will experience less discomfort and heal more rapidly at your cosmetic dental clinic.

Another benefit of using a CO2 laser to treat tongue-tie at your cosmetic dental clinic is that risks and complications are reduced. The laser effectively seals the area, resulting in little to no bleeding.

As if that weren’t enough, a CO2 laser tongue-tie treatment greatly reduces the risk of infection because  as it’s working, it is also disinfecting the wound.

Schedule Your Consultation

Spare your child the unnecessary risks and discomfort that are involved with the expected bleeding and stitches/sutures necessary after a conventional tongue-tie release procedure. Contact your cosmetic dental clinic today at 781-861-7645  to book your convenient consultation as your first step in freeing your child from this medical condition.

Emergency Dental Care: What Are Common Dental Emergencies?

Emergency Dental Care

Emergency Dental Care | Would you be able to tell if your pain and discomfort is normal, or is a serious problem that you should be worried about? Small problems can rapidly develop into a severe toothache that you won’t soon forget if it goes untreated.

Emergency dental help is available should you require urgent toothache relief.

Knowing when to seek emergency dental care first involves understanding what represents a true dental emergency.

Loose Tooth

It is never normal to have a loose tooth. By the time you reach adulthood, all of your teeth should be securely in place. If you have noticed that one or more of your teeth are beginning to grow loose, it could mean a number of things. One problem could be an injury to a tooth that is particularly painful. If this is the case, seek emergency dental care immediately. You want to do everything you can to ensure that your teeth remain strong and intact.

A loose tooth can also be caused by local infection. To determine what type of infection may be occurring, visit your dentist right away. A loose tooth combined with a toothache could mean that you are experiencing signs of an infection by dental caries or gum disease. Receiving prompt treatment can prevent the spread of the infection and save your tooth.

Bleeding, Aching Gums

This one could go either way. It could represent a true dental emergency, or it could be something that can wait until Monday to have it checked out.

The key point to look for is if you have recently undergone some type of trauma to your teeth, gums or mouth. If you notice bleeding soon after an accident, it is most likely due to the trauma that just occurred. This is a dental emergency that requires immediate care.

If you experience bleeding after brushing or flossing, it is likely due to over-vigorous cleaning efforts on your part. If it happens a lot, it could also be an indication of periodontal disease, popularly known as gum disease. If this is the case, it is a serious condition that requires looking into. However, it is probably not an immediate concern, but a chronic condition that will require a proper diagnosis and treatment. Make an appointment with your regular dentist at your convenience to have it checked out.

Metal Taste in Mouth

Have you ever had a dental filling? If you begin to notice a metal taste in your mouth, it could indicate that an old filling has cracked or is becoming loose. If you notice a missing or damaged filling, seek immediate dental care, as a missing filling can leave your tooth vulnerable to new infections and cavities.

Left untreated, a missing filling can result in a severe toothache that may eventually require you to undergo a root canal procedure. Contact your dentist right away and have them provide you with a new dental filling.

Schedule A Consultation

Above all, if you need immediate emergency dental care don’t delay, contact us at 781-861-7645 today! You could schedule your consultation for other dental services here.