For babies with tongue ties, feeding can be especially challenging. Whether you choose to breastfeed or use bottles, either can be difficult if your infant isn’t able to suck correctly due to a tight frenum (the strip of tissue just below the tip of the tongue.)

If not corrected, your baby can also face challenges like speaking delays, speech impairments, and pain. Difficulty in nursing can also make it challenging for the baby to latch, making them prone to weight loss and colic.

The Disadvantages of Traditional Tongue Tie Surgery

In the past, loosening a baby’s tongue-tie meant performing a frenectomy using surgical methods (a scalpel.) This, obviously, could cause more discomfort to the child and make the procedure more challenging to perform in regard to the infant’s safety. As such, some dentists refer parents to an ENT, oral surgeon, or require sedation for the infant to have the procedure.

Additionally, tongue tie surgery where the tight skin is cut or trimmed poses a risk for infection and lengthy recoveries for the tiniest member of your family.

Gentle, Effective Treatment in Our Office

Fortunately, Smiles by Hanna is able to offer a gentle and minimally invasive alternative to traditional tongue tie surgery. Dr. Mansoor incorporates gentle laser technology to provide safe and effective treatment and a fast recovery.

Because our Biolase Waterlase laser uses gentle pulses of energy combined with a cool flow of water, your infant or toddler can have a laser frenectomy without the pain, bleeding, or swelling experienced using surgical techniques.

Your infant will enjoy a painless procedure and rapid recovery. No sutures are necessary! The laser allows Dr. Mansoor to reshape the soft tissue under the tongue or behind the lips in a predictable manner for effective results.

Is Numbing Necessary?

No! Waterlase technology is virtually painless, even for infants. Although the area just under the tongue can be quite delicate, reshaping the soft tissue with a laser is a very simple procedure for your child. No anesthesia is needed.

Faster Results for Your Child

Infancy can be an especially challenging time of life, especially for new parents or families that have babies with special needs. Getting a tongue tie treated can be confusing for some, especially when you’re not sure where to turn. Your pediatrician may recommend sedating your baby and having the frenectomy performed by another medical specialist, while a pediatric dentist might recommend completing the procedure in a hospital.

Most of these medical and dental providers don’t have access to the lasers used by comprehensive dentists like Dr. Mansoor. As such, we’re able to provide infant, toddler, and child tongue tie treatments without a referral from your medical or dental practitioner. The procedure is quick, and your family can be in and out in less than an hour.

How to Tell if Your Infant Has a Tongue Tie

Tongue ties can cause a number of different signs in children, including:

• Difficulty in nursing, feeding, or “latching” onto the breast
• Colic
• Clefting at the end of the tongue
• A visibly short strip of skin under the tongue, restricting its movement
• The gums pulling down, away from teeth
• Teeth gaps, separation of teeth

If you’re still uncertain about whether your child needs a frenectomy, contact Smiles by Hanna in Gilbert, AZ. Dr. Mansoor is happy to meet with parents to discuss any feeding challenges that your baby may be experiencing. Should a frenectomy be the best option, we will schedule the short procedure as quickly as possible.

Contact us today for more information.

Dr. Hanna Mansoor in Gilbert, Arizona is an expert in laser tori removal. “Tori” or “palatal tori” is the term used to describe the bony growth or extension in the roof of the mouth, or alongside teeth just at the gumlines (making it appear as if the jawbone of gums is growing outward.)

Although tori are not present in the majority of our patients, they do occur frequently enough that it’s essential for Dr. Mansoor to offer supportive services when those growths begin to interfere with everyday life.

Why does Tori Need to be Removed?

Though some tori are very small and never pose an issue. Tori can grow so large that they interfere with common things like eating, talking, or wearing a denture. Depending on how large the torus is, it may even cover the entire roof of your mouth or portions of your teeth, making it impossible to chew certain types of foods. Other times, it can cause food to get trapped under the tori and or cause teeth to move and cause crowding.

Even the smallest tori may make it impossible to wear a “plate” (traditional denture) unless removed.

At Smiles by Hanna, we offer a more comfortable alternative to tori removal than conventional oral surgery. It’s all thanks to advanced laser technology that provides safe, efficient, comfortable results.

Biolase Waterlase Tori Treatment

Instead of relying on traditional surgical methods that involve cutting and painful techniques to manually remove the bony torus, our Gilbert, AZ practice has invested in advanced Biolase Waterlase technology that uses gentle pulses of laser energy to remove tori as comfortably as possible.

Advanced lasers designed for minor oral surgeries are extremely safe and predictable, allowing Dr. Mansoor to remove the bony extension without any vibration or heat. The beam of energy makes it possible to precisely reshape and sculpt the bone, removing the tori and recreating a smoother, flush surface across the roof of the mouth (palate) or along the jaw.

What to Expect

As with any type of oral surgery, you’ll want to plan to have a soft diet the next few days while your mouth recovers. Plan on stocking up on foods such as pudding, gelatin, mashed potatoes, etc. Because the roof of your mouth can be quite sensitive it can be tender for the first few days.

By choosing to have your tori removed with a laser instead of with conventional surgery, you’ll be able to expect a more comfortable procedure.

You can watch Carolyn’s testimonial to learn more about her experience with tori removal with Dr. Hanna Mansoor –

What Causes Tori?

There are a number of different theories as to why some people have tori and others do not. Some dentists believe that past trauma to the tooth or genetics has a role to play.

The truth is the tori are interfering with daily habits or posing a risk to your diet, there’s usually not a need to remove them. Once they do interfere and become problematic, it’s essential to find a dentist like Dr. Mansoor who is experienced and comfortable completing such a procedure. All that’s needed is a bit of local numbing medication to keep you comfortable. If you prefer, Dr. Hanna can also discuss sedation options such as oral sedation, or IV sedation.

You’ll Wish You Had Done It Sooner

Removing tori can give you the freedom to eat all of your favorite foods or wear a custom denture more comfortably. Smiles by Hanna is happy to offer this service in our Gilbert, AZ practice. There’s no need to refer you to a specialist or offsite oral surgery center.

Need dentures, but can’t move forward because your dentist says your tori is in the way? Can’t eat comfortably? You feel your teeth are crowding? Contact Smiles by Hanna today to schedule a laser tori removal consultation. We’re happy to accept referrals as well.

Do you have a gummy smile?

Do your gums show too much when you smile? Then you may have what’s called “excessive gingival display” or more commonly, a gummy smile. It’s where too much of your gum shows above the line of your teeth, making your teeth appear short. If you feel like your smile shows more than four millimeters of gum tissue, then it may be time to seek treatment of your gummy smile from Dr. Hanna Mansoor in Gilbert, Arizona.

There are plenty of reasons you may be experiencing a gummy smile, one of which is genetics. Over 14% of women and 7% of men suffer from a gummy smile. If you are one of them, it can mean the difference between being confident in your smile or self-conscious. Some of the causes of a gummy smile are as follows: excessive gum tissue, a short upper lip or hyperactive muscles in the lip that raise higher than normal, an excessive bulging protrusion of the upper jaw, or other abnormal structural conditions in the lips, facial muscles, teeth, jaw, or gum tissue. Thankfully, at Smiles By Hanna, we can perform a short cosmetic dental procedure that will fix your gummy smile in just minutes.

At Smiles By Hanna, depending on the cause and severity of your gummy smile we can fix it with Botox, dental laser treatments, or surgery.  If it’s a mild case and the reason is due to muscle hyperactivity in the lips, Dr. Hanna will use a Botox treatment to paralyze the hyperactive muscles and inhibit the contraction of the upper lip. In extreme and rare cases where the gummy smile is due to structural abnormalities in the jaw or face, surgery may be needed.

Gummy Smile Treatment Options

If you suffer from excessive gum tissue and surgery is not needed, Dr. Hanna recommends using Waterlase therapy.  We understand that having surgery can be intimidating and invasive, that’s why we invest in the latest dental technology. Waterlase is virtually painless and cuts the procedure time in half. With the Waterlase tool, Dr. Hanna can gently remove and reshape your gummy smile. It works by cauterizing and removing the tissue gently, preventing any bleeding. The secret to the technology is that it uses light and water to expose your tooth enamel. Since it’s a laser, the technology is precise and can prevent infection during and after your procedure.

Whatever ever the cause is of your gummy smile, Smiles By Hanna will find the treatment that works best for you. We are passionate about making people smile, and we know that having a healthy smile can change your outlook and your confidence. So, are you ready to start your journey to a confident smile? Give us a call and schedule your appointment today with Smiles By Hanna. In just one appointment, we can give you a smile you deserve.

Laser Dentistry in Gilbert, Arizona

It’s a truth as old as the human race: we fear the unknown. It’s also one of the main reasons many people are still afraid of going to the dentist. They simply don’t know how comfortable an experience having their teeth fixed can be. Yes, we said comfortable! As a laser dentistry expert, Dr. Hanna utilizes Waterlase technology. At Smiles by Hanna in Gilbert, Arizona can treat patients in greater comfort than ever. “Most people don’t even know that Waterlase Dentistry exists,” explains Dr. Hanna Mansoor, “but at Smiles by Hanna we are always looking for ways to improve the comfort and clinical care of our patients, so we invested in this advanced technology.”

Waterlase Dentistry

The Waterlase^® laser system, from Biolase Technology of Irvine California, is a revolutionary dental tool that uses a patented combination of laser energy and water to perform a variety of dental procedures, in most cases with no shot, no drill and no pain. Cleared by the U.S. FDA for use in many kinds of dental work – from fixing cavities to preparing teeth for crowns, performing root canals, and even putting in implants – the Waterlase^® laser is being used by thousands of dentists worldwide.

Studies have shown that Waterlase Dentistry™ can be less traumatic than the drill. The combination of laser and a fine spray of water is precise and gentle, so it preserves healthy tooth or gums around a cavity or diseased gums. “It’s an approach called minimally invasive dentistry.” says Dr. Mansoor, “The idea is to fix the diseased part of your tooth, gums or bone without damaging adjacent healthy tissue. Waterlase Dentistry gives us a big advantage in providing excellent clinical care with maximum patient comfort.”

Learn More About Dr. Hanna

For anyone who needs dental work, but may be putting it off because they’re afraid of the discomfort, visiting Dr. Mansoor’s office at 1355 S Higley Rd Ste 119, Gilbert, AZ 85296 or making an appointment by calling (480) 279-3700 could mean an end to their fear of dentists. “Like they say, ‘Knowledge is power’, Dr. Mansoor explains, “and the more people know about Waterlase Dentistry, the easier it is for them to conquer their fears and let us take care of the dental work they need.”

Mandibular Tori Expert Treatment and Removal

If you have dental tori and are looking for a laser tori removal dentist, you’ve come to the right place! The dental tori are small, hard structures in your mouth that impede fixing of dentures in the mouth. They have a bony appearance.

There are several ways by which the dental tori can be removed. Traditionally, it is done surgically with the use of drills and chisels. However, with the advancement in technology, removal of dental tori has become much easier and less painful. Before we go into the laser means of tori removal, we will first examine the dental tori in detail.

About the dental torus

A dental torus is defined simply as an overgrowth of bone in the mouth. A torus can be triggered by factors such as genetics, an uneven bite, or even teeth grinding. When there are multiple overgrowths of bone in the mouth, then they are collectively known as dental tori.

Dental tori do not cause any harm. They grow on the part of your mouth known as the torus palatinus. The torus palatinus is also known as the roof of the mouth. In some cases, the dental torus can occur along the torus mandibularis – the lower jaw line.
In most cases, it is unnecessary to remove the dental torus. However, your dentist may recommend surgery. Reasons for removal of a tori include the following:

• Pain and discomfort
• Discomfort when eating (the tori causes some irritation in the mouth)
• Difficulty in speaking
• Interference with implants and dentures

Also, a mandibular tori (the one on the torus mandibularis) may be removed for the following reasons:

• Getting the mouth ready for prosthetic implants
• If you have done extensive mandibular surgery at some point in your life
• When there is a case of severe pain due to gingival inflammation
• Cancer phobia

Ordinarily, as has already been said, mandibular torus does not require treatment. Surgery only becomes necessary when the bone overgrows and interferes with speech, eating, dental prosthesis or other oral functions.

What happens during removal of the mandibular tori?

You will require the services of a highly trained dentist if you wish to remove the dental tori. You should consider removal tori adversely affect oral function and your daily life. No doubt, this was a painful, intimidating and even frightening experience for patients. However, with advancements in technology, removal of the tori has become more efficient and the process is much easier. Today, laser tori removal is faster and is virtually pain-free.

Removal of the tori by laser surgery

There is a growing interest in alternative means of carrying out oral surgeries. Not many reports exist on the use of lasers in bone surgery.  Research is ongoing to demonstrate the efficacy of laser surgery in dental procedures.

Removal of the tori by laser surgery has a lot of advantages. First of all, the cut made is accurate. And there is the absence of hand pressure and vibration using use. Medically it bestows some important benefits such as a lesser risk of bacterial infection in the surgical area.

Nerve supply the teeth. When operating on the tori using the traditional means, the surgeon may damage the nerves by mistake. Also, the excess blood may block the field of vision, causing a puncture to the nerves or other vital tissues. This risk is absent when using laser surgery. The incision is more precise with less blood loss. Also, patients tend to accept the laser means of removing the dental tori rather than the traditional means. This is not surprising as the laser means has more advantages than the traditional mode.

How long does it take to recover after removal of the dental tori?

It takes about three to four weeks to recover from the surgery. Some side effects that accompany the surgery include bleeding, swelling and slight pain.

Any complications associated with laser tori removal?

One of the few side effects includes bleeding and slight swelling in the mouth. There are chances of getting an infection since it is a dental procedure. Your dentist will advise you on what to do to prevent this.

Dental lasers use light energy to accomplish everything from preparing a tooth for a filling, to performing soft tissue surgeries like frenectomies or gingivectomies. Speaking of gingivectomies, Dr. Hanna often uses our WaterLase laser to correct areas of excessive gum tissue…or “gummy smiles” as our patients not-so-fondly refer to them.

Causes of a Gummy Smile

A “gummy” smile is usually due to having too much gum tissue covering the teeth. This causes your tooth to look shorter than it really is. The excessive gingiva growth can be something hereditary, or even due to specific types of medication that you’ve been on. When it grows over the tooth, less enamel is visible…and when you smile, your grin looks like more gums than teeth.

How a Dental Laser Helps

With a laser, we can remove and reshape your gums, creating a more natural and aesthetically pleasing gingival contour. This exposes more of your tooth enamel and creates a fuller looking smile.

Because of how non-invasive dental lasers are, this procedure usually requires little to no local anesthetic whatsoever. That’s right…you might not have to be numbed up! As Dr. Hanna reshapes your gumlines, the laser gently cauterizes the edges of the gingiva, preventing them from bleeding. This technique also reduces recovery time and post-procedure discomfort. Most people do not even need to take a pain reliever afterward.

Dental Lasers – Part of Your Comprehensive Smile Makeover

A laser gum procedure usually takes a matter of minutes — depending on how many teeth are involved — which makes a gummy smile treatment one of the “fastest” ways to makeover your smile!

You may want to consider pairing this treatment with other cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening or veneers, for a comprehensive approach. Even when performed alone, laser gum treatments at our Gilbert, AZ office can significantly boost your smile’s appearance (and your self-confidence!)

If you’re looking to enhance the comfort and accuracy of your dental care, it’s time to consider laser dentistry with our Gilbert dentist.

Advantages of laser dentistry include being less invasive and reducing healing times compared to conventional fillings or oral surgery. This allows Dr. Hanna Mansoor to offer what our patients feel are gentler procedures than when they receive traditional types of treatment.

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