When you’re researching a frenectomy for your baby or child, you’ll quickly notice providers describe the procedure differently — some use a scalpel, some use scissors, and increasingly, many use a soft-tissue laser. At our practice, Dr. Monica Kim performs laser frenectomies using BabyLase technology, and it’s a deliberate choice, not just a marketing term. Here’s what a laser frenectomy actually involves, why we specifically chose this approach, and what the research says about how it compares to traditional technique.
This article is for general education and isn’t a substitute for an in-person evaluation.
What Is a Laser Frenectomy?
A laser frenectomy uses a soft-tissue laser instead of a scalpel or scissors to release a tongue-tie or lip-tie. Several types of dental lasers can be used for this procedure, including diode, CO2, and Er:YAG lasers, but they all work on a similar principle: the laser precisely removes or releases the restrictive frenulum tissue using light energy rather than a physical blade.
BabyLase is a diode laser system specifically designed for gentle, precise soft-tissue procedures in infants and young children. Dr. Monica Kim discusses her approach to using this technology directly in her patient video, “FAQ: What Is BabyLase”, where she also walks through why it was selected for the practice’s infant frenectomy procedures.
Why We Chose a Laser Over Traditional Technique
Less bleeding. Diode lasers work by generating heat at the point of contact, which seals small blood vessels as the tissue is released. This typically results in a nearly bloodless procedure compared to a scalpel, which is a meaningful difference when the patient is a newborn.
Reduced need for sutures. Because the laser seals tissue as it works, many laser frenectomies don’t require stitches, which simplifies both the procedure and aftercare, particularly for infants who can’t be expected to sit still for suturing.
Precision. A laser allows for a very controlled, targeted release of the frenulum, which can help avoid excess tissue removal and support a more predictable outcome.
Faster recovery for many patients. Because there’s typically less tissue trauma and inflammation with a laser release compared to a scalpel incision, patients often experience a smoother early healing period, though good aftercare stretches still matter regardless of technique. For a full breakdown of what recovery actually looks like day by day, see Frenectomy Recovery: A Day-by-Day Guide for Parents.
Comfort for infants and young children. Because a diode laser can often be used with just topical numbing rather than an injection, and the procedure itself is typically very quick, it tends to be well tolerated even by very young infants.
What the Research Says
Diode laser frenectomy has been studied specifically in comparison to conventional surgical technique, and the findings generally support what we see clinically. A randomized clinical trial comparing diode laser frenectomy to conventional surgery for labial frenectomy found the laser approach performed favorably across several measured outcomes related to the procedure and healing process, reinforcing laser technique as a safe and effective option rather than simply a newer alternative.
Separately, a broader review of diode laser use in pediatric frenectomy cases highlighted several consistent advantages specific to treating children: minimal bleeding and pain, reduced need for local anesthesia, early postoperative healing with less inflammation, and a fully sterile working field — all factors that matter as much for reducing stress on the child and caregiver as they do for the clinical outcome itself.
None of this means laser technique is the only valid approach — skilled providers achieve good outcomes with traditional technique as well. But for the specific priorities that matter most with infant and pediatric patients — minimizing bleeding, minimizing trauma, and keeping the experience as calm as possible — the evidence supports why we’ve made laser technology, specifically BabyLase, our standard approach.
What to Expect During a BabyLase Procedure
For infants, the process is typically brief: after a quick evaluation confirming the tie and its impact, the area is prepared, and the laser release itself usually takes well under a minute of actual treatment time. Most babies are feeding again within minutes, which is both comforting for the baby and a useful early indicator of improved tongue or lip mobility. For older children, the process is similar but may include topical or local anesthesia depending on age and the specific case.
To understand what a frenectomy involves more broadly — the different types of ties, how they’re diagnosed, and when treatment is actually recommended — start with our pillar guide, What Is a Frenectomy? Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie Explained.
Is Laser Frenectomy Right for Your Child?
The right technique depends on the specific tie, the patient’s age, and the provider’s training and equipment — not every case requires or benefits from a laser approach in exactly the same way. The best way to know what’s right for your child is a proper evaluation, where we assess the tie itself and walk you through exactly how we’d approach treatment.
Learn more about our overall approach to frenectomy care on our Frenectomy Care page, or schedule a consultation with Dr. Kim to discuss your child’s specific situation.
References
- A Comparative Study of the Results of Conventional Surgery and Diode Laser in Maxillary Labial Frenectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial. PMC, National Library of Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12327985/
- Untying the Knot: Frenectomy of Lip and Tongue Ties Using Diode Lasers. PMC, National Library of Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11788089/