Same Goal, Different Tools
When parents start researching tongue-tie release, they quickly run into a fork in the road: scissors or laser. Both methods aim to release the same restriction. The difference is precision, bleeding, healing time, and the depth of release that's possible.
At Latched Beginnings in Austin, we use the LightScalpel CO2 laser, widely considered the gold standard for infant tongue-tie release. That doesn't mean scissor releases never work. It means there are meaningful differences worth understanding before you choose where to take your baby.
How a Scissor Release Works
A scissor frenotomy is the older method. A provider uses small surgical scissors to snip the tight tissue under the tongue. The procedure is quick (often less than 30 seconds) and historically has been done by pediatricians, ENTs, and some dentists.
Scissor releases work reasonably well for anterior tongue-ties, where the restriction is a thin band right at the tip of the tongue. They're less reliable for posterior tongue-ties (where the restriction sits deeper) and for lip- or buccal-ties.
Strengths of Scissor Releases
Fast. Inexpensive. Widely available. Effective for shallow, anterior tongue-ties. Often performed by pediatricians at the newborn visit.
Limitations of Scissor Releases
Less precise than laser. Can leave residual tissue if the restriction extends deeper than expected. Higher rate of incomplete release for posterior ties. Bleeding can occur, and there's no cauterization. Reattachment rates can be higher due to less complete release.
How a CO2 Laser Release Works
A CO2 laser release uses a focused beam of light to vaporize the restrictive tissue with precision. At Latched Beginnings, we use the LightScalpel CO2 laser, the system widely accepted as the gold standard in tongue-tie treatment. The release takes a few minutes per site and is followed by the same oral exercises and recovery process as a scissor release.
The laser cuts and cauterizes simultaneously. That means very little bleeding, a sterile field, and a more complete release of both anterior and posterior tissue.
Strengths of CO2 Laser Releases
High precision. Minimal bleeding due to cauterization. Sterile environment. Effective for both anterior and posterior ties, as well as lip- and buccal-ties. Complete release tends to reduce reattachment risk when paired with proper post-op exercises. Less swelling and faster healing reported by most families.
Limitations of CO2 Laser Releases
More expensive than a scissor release. Available at fewer providers. Requires specific training and certification. Comes with the same post-op exercise commitment as any release.
The Key Differences That Matter for Parents
Here's how we explain it to Austin families during consultations:
Precision
The CO2 laser allows for a controlled, exact release. Scissors are less precise and can leave residual tissue, especially in deeper posterior ties. For complex or layered restrictions, the precision difference matters significantly.
Bleeding and Recovery
Laser releases typically result in minimal bleeding because the beam cauterizes as it cuts. Scissor releases can produce more bleeding, especially in deeper releases. Many families report less swelling and faster early healing with laser.
Completeness of Release
Laser tends to release the full restriction in one step. Scissor releases occasionally need to be revised because residual tissue remains. About 10 to 20% of families we see at Latched Beginnings come in after a scissor release that didn't fully resolve symptoms.
Cost
Scissor releases are typically less expensive. Laser releases cost more because of the equipment and specialized training required. The investment difference is meaningful, but for the right baby, the outcomes justify the cost.
Provider Experience
A great provider with scissors will outperform a less experienced provider with a laser. Tool quality only matters in skilled hands. When choosing a provider, the training, experience, and approach matter as much as the technology.
When a Scissor Release Might Be Fine
We won't pretend every baby needs a laser. If your baby has a clean anterior tongue-tie, an experienced provider with scissors can do an effective release. Many newborns with thin anterior ties caught right at the hospital have done well with this method.
Where the laser becomes especially valuable is in posterior ties, lip-ties, buccal-ties, complex restrictions, or older infants. These are the situations where precision and a complete release make the biggest difference.
What Matters Most in a Release Decision
The tool is only part of the picture. What matters more is whether the provider:
Conducts a thorough evaluation including a feeding observation. Examines all three potential restriction sites (tongue, lip, cheeks). Provides clear post-op care instructions and follow-up. Works collaboratively with lactation consultants and bodyworkers. Holds appropriate training and certification for the technique they're using.
A skilled provider with great judgment and modest tools will produce better outcomes than an unskilled provider with the best equipment. That said, when the right provider has the right tool, families tend to get the best results.
Why Latched Beginnings Chose the LightScalpel CO2 Laser
Dr. Kacie Culotta chose the LightScalpel CO2 laser because precision, bleeding control, and completeness of release matter most for babies. After her own personal experience navigating tongue-tie care with her foster son and her daughter, she became a mom on a mission to offer families a better experience than she had.
Latched Beginnings is one of the practices in Austin that performs laser tongue-tie releases combined with lactation counseling under one roof. Dr. Culotta's dual certification (laser-trained dentist plus lactation counselor) means she can evaluate, treat, and support feeding in a single visit. Our all-mom team makes the experience feel calm and supported.
Whether a release is right for your baby is a conversation we have together. If a release is appropriate, we use the LightScalpel CO2 laser and walk you through every step. If it isn't, we'll tell you that and help you find the right next move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CO2 laser better than scissors for a tongue-tie release?
For most cases, especially posterior tongue-ties, lip-ties, and buccal-ties, CO2 laser releases tend to be more complete, with less bleeding and lower reattachment rates. For simple anterior ties, scissor releases can also be effective. The LightScalpel CO2 laser is widely considered the gold standard for infant releases.
Does a laser tongue-tie release hurt more or less than scissors?
Most families report a laser release is comparable or slightly less uncomfortable than a scissor release. The laser cauterizes as it cuts, which means less bleeding and often less post-procedure swelling. Topical numbing is used regardless of method.
How long does a CO2 laser tongue-tie release take?
The laser release itself takes 5 to 10 minutes per site. A complete visit with consultation, comfort measures, the procedure, post-procedure feeding, and home-care education usually runs 60 to 90 minutes at Latched Beginnings.
What is the LightScalpel CO2 laser and why is it used?
The LightScalpel CO2 laser is the gold-standard surgical laser for infant tongue-tie, lip-tie, and buccal-tie releases. It delivers a precise, controlled beam that vaporizes restrictive tissue with minimal bleeding and a sterile field. It is the system Dr. Kacie Culotta uses at Latched Beginnings for every release.
Is a CO2 laser tongue-tie release safe for newborns?
Yes. The LightScalpel CO2 laser is FDA-cleared for soft-tissue procedures and is widely used for infant frenectomies. With appropriate training and protective measures (eye protection, sterile technique, comfort measures), it's a safe option for babies as young as 1 to 2 days old.
Does insurance cover CO2 laser tongue-tie release?
Coverage varies. Most insurance plans do not cover laser frenectomies because they are considered out-of-network specialty procedures. Many HSA and FSA accounts do cover the procedure. We provide superbills and itemized receipts so families can submit for potential reimbursement.
How is the recovery different between laser and scissors?
Recovery is similar overall, but laser releases tend to have less initial bleeding and often slightly less swelling in the first 24 to 48 hours. Both methods require consistent post-op oral exercises for several weeks to prevent reattachment and support functional improvement.
Where can I get a CO2 laser tongue-tie release in Austin?
Latched Beginnings at 1701 Simond Ave, Suite 107A uses the LightScalpel CO2 laser for all tongue-tie, lip-tie, and buccal-tie releases. Dr. Kacie Culotta is the only Austin dentist with both laser certification for releases and a lactation counselor certification.
Call to Action
If you've been wondering whether your baby might have a tongue-tie, you don't have to figure it out alone. Dr. Kacie Culotta and the all-mom team at Latched Beginnings are here to listen, evaluate, and walk you through what's actually going on with your baby. Schedule a 1-on-1 consultation in Austin and let's talk through it together. Trust your instincts. We'll take it from there.
