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Point Cook · Tongue & lip tie

Laser tongue & lip tie release in Point Cook

Laser tongue and lip tie release (frenectomy) frees a tight band of tissue under the tongue or upper lip using a dental laser instead of scissors or a scalpel. At Magical Smiles Point Cook we assess school-age children, teenagers and adults first, and only suggest release when the tie is causing a real problem. Parents can also read our children's tongue tie page.

Book a tie assessment → Call (03) 8338 1515

Soft-tissue laserNo scissors or scalpel

10–20 minutesUsual treatment time

Children & adultsFrom school age

Before you read on

If someone has mentioned a possible tongue tie, you probably want to know what an assessment involves and what treatment would feel like, whether it is for your child, your teenager or you.

This page explains both, with no expectation that you book treatment before the assessment gives you an answer.

— The Magical Smiles Point Cook team

Signs of a tie

When the tongue or lip is held back.

A tight frenulum can cause trouble at different ages: a child struggling with certain sounds, a teenager with a gap between the front teeth, an adult with long-standing tongue or jaw tension. These are common examples.

Diagram of a normal tongue next to a tongue-tied tongue, with the frenulum under the tongue labelled

What is a tongue tie?

Under your tongue is a thin fold of tissue called the frenulum. Usually it is loose enough for the tongue to move freely. When it is short, thick or attached too far forward, it limits movement, and that is a tongue tie. A similar band under the upper lip can cause a lip tie. Lasers are used for other gum procedures too, such as a laser gum lift.

Not every tie causes trouble. Victoria's Better Health Channel notes that tongue-tie may improve on its own by age two or three, and that when surgery is needed it often means releasing the frenum with surgical scissors or a laser. The Victorian Department of Health's referral criteria (updated 26 November 2025) say referrals for older children with speech difficulties should go to a speech therapist. For babies, healthdirect (last reviewed January 2026) explains that some tongue-ties cause no problems, and that dividing the tie is the only effective treatment when it is causing feeding problems.

Illustration only; every mouth is different. A hands-on assessment decides whether release is appropriate.

01 / Children

Trouble with textures.

Gagging on lumpy food, avoiding meat or bread, or very slow meals. How freely the tongue moves affects how a child chews and swallows.

02 / School-age

Sounds that are hard to say.

Ongoing trouble with 'r', 'l', 's' or 'th', which need the tongue tip to lift. A speech pathologist leads this care, and release is considered only when the tie is clearly part of the problem.

03 / Teens

A front-teeth gap that stays.

A thick band under the upper lip can hold the front teeth apart. It is often looked at as part of orthodontic planning.

04 / Adults

Tightness you'veput up with.

Limited tongue lift, jaw tension or mouth breathing at night. Adults can be assessed too.

05 / Adults

Receding gum behind thelower teeth.

A tight band under the tongue can tug on the gum behind the lower front teeth. Releasing it is sometimes part of gum care.

06 / Adults

A lip tie that causes problems.

A thick band under the upper lip may add to a gap, trap food or pull on the front gum. Many adults don't realise it can be treated.

How it works

A laser instead of scissors.

In a laser frenectomy, laser light releases the tight band instead of a blade. Soft tissue is mostly water, which absorbs the light, so the tissue is released in small steps and small blood vessels seal as the laser works.

Photograph of a dental laser handpiece with a green guide light shining through falling water droplets

Laser light meeting water, the reason lasers suit water-rich soft tissue.

Small, careful steps.

The laser releases the tight tissue in short, controlled passes, sealing small blood vessels as it goes. The release itself is usually over within a minute or two, and the wound often needs no stitches, with little bleeding.

For older children, teenagers and adults the visit feels more like a filling than an operation. The area is numbed slowly, the laser work is quick, and you go home with aftercare advice and a review booked.

Frenectomy: Removing or fully releasing the tight band; the most common approach.
Frenotomy: A simpler, smaller release, sometimes used for thin ties near the surface.
Posterior tongue tie: A tie hidden under the surface, felt rather than seen during an assessment.

About the laser

A soft-tissue laser, used with care.

Frenectomy calls for a laser wavelength that soft tissue absorbs well, so the tight band can be released precisely while the surrounding tissue is disturbed as little as possible.

A dental laser unit with an articulated arm and touchscreen

Why a laser?

Soft-tissue work in the mouth needs fine control over depth and a gentle touch on the muscle underneath. A laser offers both, and it seals as it works.

Absorbed by water Soft tissue is mostly water, so the light acts on the frenum itself.
Short pulses Brief pulses help limit heat reaching nearby tissue.
Adjustable Settings are adjusted for a child's delicate tissue or an adult's firmer tissue.
Safety first Everyone in the room wears laser safety glasses.

Your visits

What happens, step by step.

The release takes very little time. Most of the care goes into the assessment beforehand and the stretches afterwards.

Consultation

We talk about why you have come, any speech or eating concerns and your dental history. Bring whoever you like.

Visit 1 · 30 min

Functional assessment

We check how the tongue lifts and moves, listen to some speech and examine teeth and gums. Reports from a speech pathologist, orthodontist or GP are helpful.

Visit 1 · 15 min

iii

Findings and consent

We explain what we found, whether release is needed, what to expect and the alternatives, including leaving it alone. Costs are explained before you decide.

Visit 1 · 15 min

On the day

The area is numbed slowly with local anaesthetic, and everyone puts on safety glasses.

Visit 2 · 10 min prep

The release

Once the area is numb, the laser releases the band, usually within a couple of minutes. Stitches are often not needed.

Visit 2 · 1–3 min

Movement check

After a rinse, we check tongue and lip movement. It feels strange at first and settles as the numbness wears off.

Visit 2 · 15–20 min

vii

Aftercare

We show you gentle stretches to do at home for a few weeks and explain when to call us if you are worried.

Visit 2 · 10 min

viii

Review

A review a week or two later checks healing and movement.

Visit 3 · 20 min

Comparison

Laser or scissors?

Both scissors and lasers are accepted ways to release a tie. This is how they generally compare; your dentist will explain what suits you.

Compare

Scissors or scalpel

Laser

Bleeding

Some, controlled with gauze

Usually minimal, as the laser sealsoften less

Sutures

Sometimes needed

Often not neededoften none

Procedure time

A few minutes

Often a minute or two

Anaesthetic

Local or numbing gel

Local, given slowly

Posterior / submucosal ties

Can be harder to reach

Often suitableoften chosen

Aftercare stretches

Required

Required, just as important

How we work

Careful assessment and clear advice.

Tongue and lip ties overlap with speech pathology, orthodontics and gum care. We focus on the dental side and keep the process calm.

Part of our laser care

Tie release is one of several soft-tissue treatments explained on our laser dentistry page.

Settings for each patient

Laser settings are adjusted to the age of the patient and the thickness of the tie.

Working together

With your consent, we can share findings with your speech pathologist, orthodontist, GP or other health professional.

A calm pace

We explain each step to children in words they understand and allow enough time so nobody feels rushed.

Gentle numbing

Local anaesthetic is given slowly, and we check in with you or your child as it takes effect.

Honest assessments

Not every tie needs treating, and we will tell you if yours doesn't. An assessment doesn't commit you to anything.

FAQ

Tongue and lip tie questions.

Plain answers from our Point Cook team. For anything else, call (03) 8338 1515.

What's the difference between a tongue tie and a lip tie?+

A tongue tie (ankyloglossia) means the band under the tongue is short or tight enough to limit movement. A lip tie is a tight band between the upper lip and the gum that restricts how the lip lifts. In both cases, what matters is whether the band causes a problem, not how it looks.

What ages does this page cover?+

This page is about school-age children, teenagers and adults who can comfortably have a dental visit with local anaesthetic. For babies with feeding difficulties, start with your GP, maternal and child health nurse or a paediatric specialist.

How do I know if release is needed?+

Not every tight frenulum needs treatment, and not every speech or eating issue is caused by a tie. The assessment looks at how the tongue moves, its effect on speech, chewing, teeth and gums, and whether something else could explain the problem.

How is a laser different from scissors?+

The laser seals small blood vessels as it works, so there is usually less bleeding and often no need for stitches. Both methods are accepted; the right one depends on age and the type of tie.

Does the procedure hurt?+

The area is numbed first, given slowly to keep it comfortable. After that the laser work is brief and most people feel only pressure. Some soreness afterwards is normal.

When can I eat and talk normally again?+

Most people can talk straight away, although the numbness takes a few hours to wear off. Stick to soft food on the first day; normal eating usually returns over the next few days. Many children are back at school the next day.

Why are the aftercare stretches important?+

Gentle stretches several times a day for a few weeks help the area heal open and flexible rather than tightening again. We show you how, check them at your review, and you can call us if they become hard to keep up.

Could a tie be affecting my child's speech?+

Sometimes. A restricted tongue can make sounds like r, l, s and th harder. Speech has many influences, so a speech pathologist should lead, and we can assess the tie if they think it plays a part.

Can adults have this done?+

Yes. Adults with limited tongue movement, jaw tension, mouth breathing at night or gum recession from a tight band can be assessed. Local anaesthetic is used, and recovery is usually straightforward.

How much does it cost?+

It depends on age, complexity and whether both tongue and lip are treated. Costs are explained at your assessment. Eligible children may be able to use the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, and we offer on-the-spot HICAPS claims with most health funds.

Where can I have this done in Point Cook?+

At Magical Smiles Point Cook, 220 Point Cook Road, Point Cook VIC 3030, open Monday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call (03) 8338 1515 or book online.

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