Is There a Non-Surgical Treatment for Lip and Tongue Tie?

Lip and tongue tie are among the most common birth defects in the U.S. All you have to do is perform a quick Google search to find out that most medical professionals recommend a surgical procedure known as a frenectomy to address these issues. Certainly, a frenectomy can be effective — but is it always the best option? No, it is not. In fact, some children are eligible for non-surgical treatment via an innovative laser procedure known as Babylase. What is Babylase, and how does it work? This blog post explains.

Introducing Babylase

Babylas is a means of non-surgical release of restricted oral tissues. During treatment, a practitioner uses a very specific wavelength of laser light to encourage tight tissues to relax. It also aids in reducing inflammation and pain.

Babylase is similar to photobiomodulation, a type of therapy that uses light to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. However, Babylase has the added benefit of cranial nerve stimulation, primitive reflex integration, and neurointegration. Admittedly, that might sound complicated. However, it just means that Babylase can “reintroduce” damaged tissues to the patient’s brain as healthy, fully functioning tissues.

Babylase may be used alongside another light-based treatment known as Oralase, a type of photobiomodulation that helps to reduce pain and inflammation in the oral tissues.

Benefits of Babylase

The primary benefit of Babylase is that, in some cases, it can prevent unnecessary surgery.

In recent years, Dr. Thomas and many other dentists have noticed an increase in the number of parents who are concerned about lip and tongue tie. Such worries are understandable, especially when mothers have difficulty breastfeeding or their babies are obviously suffering.

However, simply because a child has frenulums in their mouth, it does not automatically mean that those frenulums need to be surgically removed or modified. (A frenulum is a band of tissue that connects two structures. The mouth has two of them, which are the cause of lip and tongue tie when they are too short or thick.)

Whenever possible, a conservative, non-invasive approach to treatment is the best way to go.

Does Babylase Make Surgical Treatment Obsolete?

Of course, it is worth noting that Babylase is not suitable for all patients. In some cases, a frenectomy is the best way to go. If you are wondering what treatment might be best for your child, Dr. Thomas and our team can evaluate their unique case and provide expert guidance.

Meet the Practice

Dr. Thomas is an experienced holistic dentist who serves families in the Southlake area. She is very interested in laser technology and uses advanced instruments in her office to provide comfortable, effective treatment for a range of conditions, including lip and tongue tie. To learn more about treatment options for these conditions, contact Enclave Dental at 817-912-1218.