Tongue and Lip Releases with CO2 Laser
Dr. Barlow is the sole dentist performing tongue and lip releases on infants and children at Northshore Pediatric Dentistry. She is an active member of the American Laser Study Club and has completed over 40 hours of Continuing Education training in tongue and lip releases with the Light Scalpel Laser, specifically related to infants and young children. She has completed hundreds of releases in the clinic and continuously gets positive results. The Light Scalpel is a state-of-the-art CO2 laser that allows Dr. Barlow to perform releases efficiently, with minimal bleeding, discomfort, and beautiful wound healing.
Dr. Barlow decided to incorporate tongue and lip releases into the practice because she struggled with nursing her children. She would like to help and support any postpartum mother in a similar situation.
Everyone has a tongue and/or lip tie, which is when the tied tissue restricts proper movement and function and needs to be addressed.
Dr. Barlow takes a team approach to releases and has a supportive community of providers to ensure your infant or child's release gets the best possible outcome. These providers include IBCLCs, Speech and Language Pathologists, Chiropractors specializing in infants and children, Speech Therapists, and Occupational Therapists. Depending on the symptoms your child exhibits will depend on which additional providers your infant or child will be referred to.
If your child struggles with nursing, bottle feeding, solid feeding, speech, sleeping, or periodontal problems, please call to schedule a consultation.
If you think your infant or child has a lip and/or tongue tie, please look at the following intake forms that describe symptoms your infant or child may have.
Laser Lip Releases for Hammond, LA, Families: What to Expect
Families across Hammond, LA, and throughout Tangipahoa Parish can access CO2 laser lip releases and tongue-tie procedures at Northshore Pediatric Dentistry, serving the greater Northshore region from Mandeville to Hammond, Ponchatoula, and beyond.
For many new parents in Hammond, the first weeks of nursing can raise unexpected concerns. A restricted frenulum may affect an infant's ability to latch comfortably, contributing to feeding frustration for both baby and mother. A laser frenectomy, the procedure used to release a lip tie or tongue tie, may help resolve these challenges when a functional restriction is identified.
How Does a CO2 Laser Frenectomy Work for Infants?
A CO2 laser frenectomy releases restricted oral tissue using precise, focused laser energy. Dr. Barlow performs all lip releases and tongue-tie procedures at Northshore Pediatric Dentistry using the LightScalpel CO2 laser, which may allow for minimal bleeding and cleaner wound healing compared to traditional methods. For infants and toddlers in Hammond, the procedure is typically brief, and many newborns can return to feeding shortly after.
The laser frenectomy process at Northshore Pediatric Dentistry generally follows these steps:
▸ A pre-procedure consultation to review your infant's symptoms and intake forms, which are available on the practice website.
▸ Topical numbing to minimize discomfort before the laser is applied.
▸ A short release procedure using the LightScalpel CO2 laser.
▸ Immediate post-release guidance from the care team, including instructions for post-procedure stretches to support healing.
▸ A referral to a trusted IBCLC, chiropractor, speech-language pathologist, or occupational therapist as needed.
What Breastfeeding Outcomes Can Hammond Families Expect After Lip Releases?
Breastfeeding outcomes after lip releases can vary by infant, and no single procedure guarantees a specific result. That said, when a functional restriction is the underlying cause of latch difficulty, releasing the tissue may support improved latch quality and more comfortable nursing sessions. Families in Hammond, Ponchatoula, and surrounding Tangipahoa Parish communities who are already working with a lactation consultant or WIC breastfeeding support through the Tangipahoa Parish Health Unit may find that combining professional lactation support with a frenectomy offers the most comprehensive path forward.
Recovery Expectations After a Laser Frenectomy
Recovery from a CO2 laser lip release is often faster than with traditional scissors-based methods. Most infants can nurse or bottle-feed within a short period after the procedure. Parents may notice mild swelling or temporary fussiness, which typically resolves within a few days.
The post-procedure period is an important part of the process. Dr. Barlow's team provides specific guidance for at-home stretches, which may help reduce the likelihood of reattachment as the tissue heals. Following through consistently with these stretches during the healing window can play a meaningful role in the overall outcome.
Families in Hammond, LA, are encouraged to contact Northshore Pediatric Dentistry at
(985) 317-0656 to schedule a consultation or ask questions about the lip release process.
Get in Touch
We’re here to help! Call 985-317-0656 to discuss how we can help your child.
