To perform the frenectomy, the infant is swaddled and gently embraced using a papoose to avoid excessive movement. There will be a dental nurse securing the head and another assisting the surgeon. Some parents prefer to stay in the room with their baby; others elect to wait in the lounge. It is important that the parents feel as comfortable as possible, the decision to stay or not is not judged and the babies are looked after equally.
Babies do feel pain and it is important to us that we perform a painless procedure. Topical anaesthetic will be placed on the gingival tissue and a carefully calculated dose of local anaesthetic will be administered. The effect of the local anaesthetic will last for approximately 30 minutes. The Dental Therapist performs this task.
Dr Johnston will then use the LASER to remove the tissue. High evacuation suction will be placed close to the site to eliminate any aerosols.