Laser Dentistry & Tongue / Lip-Ties

Solea laser aka “healing light”

We are so excited to be one of a few dental offices in North Texas to offer you the most advanced dental technology available to restore teeth without numbing!

The Solea is the world’s first computer-aided, CO2 laser system to be approved by the FDA for both hard and soft tissue. The Solea provides our patients the ultimate level of comfort during procedures with unparalleled precision. This laser technology also allows for many hard and soft tissue procedures to be used without anesthesia thus saving a lot of time during the appointment.

It offers a fast, precise, noiseless and anesthesia-free approach to the dental visit. The device is run using a foot pedal giving Dr. Dragan complete control over the speed and intensity of the laser energy throughout the process.

How does the Solea Work?

Solea pulses light at over 1100 times per second, shutting down the pain pathway to the brain when working on teeth.  Amazingly this only feels like an electric toothbrush is washing your tooth with cold water!  Dr. Dragan likes to call it her “healing light” (great verbiage for young ears).  So, if we might suggest, please let us explain the “light” to your child, if they need treatment.

Other Awesome Features

Solea sterilizes at it works, killing viruses and bacteria and reducing aerosols by 99.9%! When doing soft tissue procedures there’s rarely any bleeding at all, enabling Dr. Dragan the best visualization possible to do the best job. This amazing technology is now available to your family to foster a great dental experience (especially when there’s a balloon animal at the end!).

Tongue and Lip Ties

Everyone has a small strand of tissue, called a frenum, that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth and the lips to the gums. When the frenum is too short, thick, or tight, it can inhibit normal mouth function and development. Approximately 10-20% of babies are born with restrictive frenums, also known as lip and tongue ties. The diagnosis of a tongue or lip tie requires a full evaluation of oral tissue mobility and function. A frenectomy is the procedure to remove this excess tissue and allow proper oral function.

Symptoms

Lip and tongue ties often prevent mothers and babies from experiencing a healthy and successful breastfeeding relationship. If the tongue or lip are unable to move freely, babies cannot effectively latch and transfer milk. For a mother this can lead to cracked or bleeding nipples, pain, infection, mastitis, and breast engorgement. Infants may experience one or more of the following symptoms: poor weight gain, colic and/or reflux, sliding off nipples, weak suction, biting or chewing of nipples, signs of frustration and exhaustion while attempting to nurse.

Long-term Effects

If a tongue or lip tie remains uncorrected numerous problems may arise over time. A handful of problems that individuals with untreated ties may experience include impaired speech and articulation, orthodontic issues, gum recession, difficult oral hygiene, decay and cavities, aversion to solid food and impaired chewing/swallowing, and altered facial growth and development. 

Laser Frenectomies

A frenectomy is a procedure that releases either one or both ties and allows for optimal movement and oral tissue control. Plunk & Dragan Smiles uses the most advanced laser technology to perform frenectomies, a carbon dioxide (CO2) Solea laser, to provide the highest level of care for your child. Our laser allows for a quick in-office procedure with minimal bleeding and shorter healing time. Following the procedure, we will carefully go over post-op instructions and exercises to ensure proper healing.

Our office is committed to helping you and your child establish a healthy and happy breastfeeding relationship. We set aside time in our weekly schedule to perform frenectomies and collaborate closely with lactation consultants to ensure you have the necessary support for long term success.