Choking Baby's Oral Restrictions Treated With Laser

LightScalpel laser infant frenectomy performed by Martin Kaplan, DMD, DABLS

​​​Dr. ​​​​​Martin Kaplan, DMD, DABLS, a Stoughton, MA based pediatric dentist performs 21st century laser lip- and tongue-tie releases for infants.

After watching the TV news story, “11-Year-Old Girl Saves Newborn Sister From Choking”, Dr. Kaplan thought he recognized a reason for the newborn's life threatening choking. Touched by the story, Dr. Kaplan reached out to the mother and provided complimentary examination, consultation, and ultimately a laser lip- and tongue-tie release for baby Miranda.

After a thorough evaluation, I diagnosed a tongue-tie and a lip-tie which clearly exacerbated the baby's nursing difficulties and choking. The treatment was a simple in-office procedure with a LightScalpel laser, followed by a referral to an IBCLC. Mother and baby are doing great.

Dr. Martin Kaplan, DMD, DABLS

Baby Miranda was previously diagnosed with laryngomalacia,​ and the mother was told that the baby will eventually outgrow the problem. What mother wants to live with that problem? After a thorough evaluation, I diagnosed a tongue-tie and a lip-tie which clearly exacerbated the baby’s nursing difficulties and choking. The treatment was a simple in-office procedure with a LightScalpel CO2 laser, followed by a referral to an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). Mother and baby are doing great. I did not charge for this case as I did it for the right reasons. Of course, if it hadn’t been an appropriate case to treat, I would not have done it and wouldn’t have gotten her immediate IBCLC attention. This is a topic of concern for me - doctors unnecessarily putting babies at risk, often placing them on reflux medication when there is no need. A friend of mine - a forensic dentist - is even evaluating babies who died of SIDS for tongue- and lip-ties because there can be a link to aspiration and choking,” says, Dr. Kaplan.

Most people are aware of the health benefits of breastfeeding infants. A lip- and tongue-tie release procedure can dramatically improve breastfeeding for some babies and their mothers. Dr. Kaplan says that his office currently receives at least 10 calls a day for appointments to evaluate newborns and infants for lip- and tongue-ties.

About Dr. Martin Kaplan, DMD, DABLS

Dr. Kaplan has been a pediatric dentist at Kids Care Dental in Stoughton, MA since 1977. He is very passionate about educating health professionals and the public about this health problem that has a simple solution and is often overlooked. He is a developer of a continuing education class on Infant Laser Frenectomies at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, with attendees from across the globe. He is currently in the process of final editing of a surgical atlas for this issue. Dr. Kaplan is Diplomate of the American board of Laser Surgery and exclusively performs infant frenectomies (lip- and tongue-tie release) with a laser, which is a quick and gentle procedure. Unlike conventional scissors or dental diodes that cut with hot glass tips, Dr. Kaplan’s LightScalpel CO2 laser uses the non-contact photon-based technology utilized across many surgical specialties, including plastic and cosmetic surgery where quick, uncomplicated, and scar-free healing is essential.

Media Contact:

Martin Kaplan, DMD, DABLS
Phone: (781) 341-0320
Email: martin.kaplan4@verizon.net

Source: Dr. Martin Kaplan, DMD, DABLS

About Martin Kaplan, DMD, DABLS

Martin Kaplan, DMD, DABLS, practices exclusively in Stoughton, MA. He continues to take advanced training and recently gained masters' proficiency in Laser Dentistry.

Martin Kaplan, DMD, DABLS
1613 Central St.
Stoughton, MA
02072

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