Our office has a wide variety of lasers specific to each dental procedure. We currently have:

Tongue Ties

Your tongue needs to be able to move around freely in the mouth which allows it to clean the teeth, swallow, and move properly for speech. The tongue should move around freely and for newborns, this mobility is vital for swallowing to create an effective latch for breastfeeding. Infants swallow with their jaws parted and the tongue positioned between gum pads. This produces a vacuum for swallowing called the “infantile swallow.” Although the primary or baby teeth all are forming in the jaws, it is not until the ages of 2-3 that they erupt. It is at this time the infant swallow becomes an adult swallow. The tongue will now raise and press against the back of the upper teeth and the jaws will close together. A “tight “ tongue tie will restrict movement of the tongue and this can cause a lot of developmental issues for children such as some or all of the following: Inability to latch resulting in difficult breastfeeding, low weight gain and malnourishment. Constant feeding due to inability to gain sufficient milk during feeding. Nipple pain, cracks and blisters for mothers as the infant gums or chews nipples. Reflux, colic or gassiness from swallowing air during feeding. Choking on milk, excessive drooling or clicking noises are potential signs of a tongue or lip tie.

Abnormal swallowing patterns

Orthodontic problems which can occur later in life, such as an open bite and crowded teeth

Impaired speech

Dental decay

Lip Ties

A lip tie occurs when the ligament connecting the lip and the gums are restricted due to its length being too short, the position of attachment being at the crest instead of halfway up, or the lip tie having too much width which again can limit movement of the lip. This can occur on the upper or lower lip as well as on the sides of the mouth but is most common and most problematic when it occurs in the middle of the upper lip. A tight lip tie can have negative effects on both the baby and the mother, during breastfeeding by reducing the ability of the newborn to latch properly onto the breast. Lip ties can be detected in newborn babies and can result in some of the following issues for the baby: Reflux, colic, gassiness due to swallowing air

A clicking sound while feeding along with grinding and biting on the breast

Choking on milk, popping off the breast to gasp for air

Poor weight gain

Recurrent breaks in feeding, short feedings and frequent feedings. Stools that are green or yellow which indicate that the child may not be able to latch long enough to get to the “fatty” part of the milk

Slow weight gain or inability to gain weight

Incapable of opening his or her mouth widely and latching onto the breast Dr. van As works with experts in the field including Chiropractors familiar with Craniosacral Treatment for your newborn. He and his team have completed many laser frenectomies.

Laser Frenectomy