CO₂ Laser–Assisted Frenectomy in Children: What a 2023 Long-Term Study Reveals

Hello everyone, this is Raymond Lee from Raymond’s Dental Solutions.Today, I’d like to introduce an important 2023 study published in Lasers in Medical Science titled:

“CO₂ Laser-Assisted Frenectomy in Pediatric Dentistry: Long-Term Outcomes.”

This paper evaluates how a 10.6 μm CO₂ laser performs in pediatric lingual frenectomy (tongue-tie release) and examines its long-term safety, effectiveness, and healing outcomes, compared with conventional scalpel or electrosurgical approaches reported in earlier literature.

🎯 Study Objective

The purpose of this research was to assess whether CO₂ laser–assisted lingual frenectomy provides stable, long-term functional and esthetic outcomes in children aged 2 to 12 years, while minimizing pain, bleeding, scarring, and recurrence.

👥 Study Design & Methods

This was a prospective cohort study involving 80 pediatric patients diagnosed with Class III to Class IV tongue-tie.

Laser Parameters Used

• CO₂ laser wavelength: 10.6 μm

• Mode: Super-pulsed

• Power: 3.5 W

• Pulse duration: 200 microseconds

• Frequency: 20 Hz

• Tip: Non-contact, diamond-shaped tip

All procedures were performed under topical and infiltration anesthesia.A tension-free incision was made from the frenum base toward the tongue tip.

🔹 No sutures were required, as the diamond-shaped wound geometry promoted rapid and natural healing.

Patients were followed for up to 24 months, with evaluations at:1 week, and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months.

Outcome Measures Included

• Functional success (tongue mobility, no reattachment)

• Speech improvement (articulation testing)

• Feeding performance (parental survey)

• Scarring (Vancouver Scar Scale)

• Pain (Wong-Baker FACES scale)

📊 Key Results

The long-term results were highly favorable:

• ~95% overall success rate at 2-year follow-up

• Complete epithelialization within 10 days

• Minimal edema and negligible postoperative pain

• No sutures, no antibiotics required

• Virtually invisible scarring

• No significant recurrence or complications throughout the 24-month period

Compared to traditional techniques reported in prior studies, the CO₂ laser group experienced:

• Significantly less bleeding

• Lower pain scores

• Faster recovery

• Superior esthetic outcomes

  
  

🏁 Conclusion

The authors conclude that CO₂ laser-assisted lingual frenectomy in pediatric patients is:

✔ Safe✔ Precise✔ Minimally invasive✔ Highly effective over the long term

Key advantages include:

• Excellent hemostasis and surgical visibility

• Minimal postoperative discomfort

• Rapid healing

• Stable functional and esthetic outcomes

  
  

💡 Clinical Significance

For pediatric dentists, periodontists, and clinicians treating tongue-tie, this study provides strong evidence that the 10.6 μm CO₂ laser is a superior alternative to scalpel or electrocautery procedures.

Its ability to deliver bloodless surgery, faster recovery, and high patient satisfaction aligns perfectly with modern, patient-centered dentistry — and supports the growing demand for a true WOW-experience in pediatric care.