PROCEDURES
Tethered Oral Tissues
- Case Studies
- Video Library
- Resources
PROCEDURES
Perform blood-free, suture-free frenectomies with minimal postoperative discomfort and remarkably rapid healing.
Releasing tethered oral tissues (TOTs) as early as possible can have sweeping effects on a patient’s health. TOTs can negatively impact breast feeding and swallowing, as well as facial, airway, dental, and speech development. Solea enables efficient and effective frenectomies on even the youngest of patients, often without the need for local anesthetic.
“I see patients from around the world because parents do not want to put their children through the ordeal of general anesthesia or the post-operative discomfort associated with traditional methods. Whether it is for infants who can’t breastfeed or older children with speech problems, Solea has allowed me to do frenectomies gently in my office without anesthesia, bleeding or discomfort, providing a better experience for both the children and their parents. ”
Lawrence Kotlow, DDS, PC
Explore The Case Studies
Lingual And Maxillary Frenectomy
The 10-week-old male patient presented with a Class III maxillary lip tie and a Class III tongue tie. He was referred to the practice by a lactation consultant (IBCLC) for inability to achieve a proper latch on the breast. An anesthetic- , blood- and suture-free lingual and maxillary labial frenectomies were performed using Solea.
Explore The Case Studies
Infant Lingual and Maxillary Frenectomies
The patient, a 10-week-old male infant, presented with a Class III maxillary lip tie and a Class III tongue tie. He was referred to the practice by a lactation consultant (IBCLC) for inability to achieve a proper latch on the breast.
Gingivectomy and Maxillary Frenectomy
A 13-year-old female, who has been a patient of the practice since she was 2 years old, presented for her surgical appointment. The patient was unhappy with the appearance of her smile after the orthodontic treatment.
Video Library
Additional Resources
Innovations in infant frenectomies
Dr. Lawrence Kotlow says that his Solea laser technology has made frenectomies less stressful, reduces bleeding, and is more efficient than using traditional scalpel methods.
Surgery on a newborn? CO2 laser makes in-office lingual frenectomy easy for general dentist to perform
In this case study, Dr. Joshua Weintraub describes the lingual frenectomy procedure he did to reverse an extensive tongue-tie on an eight-day-old infant.
Laser technology insights: The perfect laser wavelength for frenectomies
Laser dentistry is a win-win for Dr. Jared Poplin and his patients. By using a laser to treat tethered oral tissues, he is helping create a new generation of patients who don’t fear the dentist.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solea for Tethored Oral Tissue Dentistry
What is a restrictive tethered oral tissue (TOT) and why is early release important?
Restrictive tethered oral tissues (TOTs) include lip ties (labial frenulum restrictions) and tongue ties (ankyloglossia). TOTs can negatively impact breastfeeding, swallowing, facial development, airway development, dental development, and speech. Early release — ideally in infancy — can have far-reaching effects on a child’s health. Solea enables safe, efficient TOT releases in patients of any age, including newborns and infants, without injectable anesthetic or sutures.
How does Solea compare to scissors or scalpel for frenectomy procedures?
Solea produces cleaner incisions with immediate hemostasis, requiring no sutures in many cases. Traditional scalpel frenectomies require sutures, produce significant bleeding, and often require injectable anesthetic. Solea frenectomies are typically fast, virtually bloodless, and cause minimal postoperative discomfort.
Can Solea perform frenectomies on newborns and young infants?
Yes. This is one of Solea’s most compelling clinical capabilities. Newborns as young as days old have been treated with Solea for lingual and labial frenectomies, often without any anesthetic. Because infants’ tissue is thin and healing is rapid, the procedure takes just minutes. Infants typically resume breastfeeding immediately or within hours of the release.
Do frenectomies with Solea require sutures or a post-operative wound care protocol?
Sutures are not required in many cases. The hemostatic effect of the 9.3-micron wavelength seals the wound at the point of incision, leaving a clean surgical site that heals rapidly without mechanical closure. Post-operative care typically involves gentle stretching exercises to prevent reattachment. Healing is rapid — many parents report the wound looking nearly healed within days.
What age range can Solea treat for TOT releases?
Solea is used for TOT releases across the entire age spectrum — from newborns with breastfeeding difficulties, to toddlers and school-age children with speech and airway concerns, to teens and adults with dental and esthetic implications of untreated tethered tissues.
Can a general dentist learn to perform frenectomies and TOT releases with Solea?
es. Solea’s training curriculum includes dedicated instruction on TOT assessment and release technique, and many general dentists become their community’s go-to provider for tongue and lip tie releases after adopting Solea. Convergent Dental’s Success Support resources include hands-on training, CE courses, and peer community support.
How does performing TOT releases affect referral relationships and practice growth?
TOT releases attract an entirely new patient population — families referred by lactation consultants, speech therapists, ENTs, and pediatricians. Families who travel to see a Solea provider for a frenectomy often become full-family patients of the practice.