
Restore Function, Improve Airway Health
CO2 Oral Tie Releases focus on correcting restrictions in the mouth, such as tongue ties, lip ties, and buccal ties. These conditions can lead to limited tongue movement, mouth breathing, and even airway obstruction. Through precise frenectomies and functional frenuloplasty procedures, Dr. Culotta offers tailored solutions to improve tongue function, enhance airflow, and boost overall health. Using the advanced LightScalpel CO2 laser, we provide minimally invasive treatments with maximum impact on your well-being.
Enhanced Tongue Mobility
A frenectomy or functional frenuloplasty allows for proper tongue positioning, improving airflow and breathing.
Better Nasal Breathing
Correcting lip ties and buccal ties reduces mouth breathing, helping you achieve optimal nasal breathing.
Minimized Airway Obstruction
By addressing tongue tie restrictions, we can reduce airway blockages and alleviate symptoms like snoring and sleep apnea.

Why Restrictions Are Harmful to Airway Health
Tongue ties, lip ties, and buccal ties can severely impact airway health by restricting proper tongue movement. When the tongue is tethered too tightly, it cannot rest against the roof of the mouth as it should, leading to compromised airflow and increased reliance on mouth breathing. This contributes to dry mouth, altered facial development, and poor-quality sleep. In more severe cases, a tongue tie may partially obstruct the airway, exacerbating issues like sleep apnea and upper airway resistance syndrome.
Promoting Healthy Growth
In children, oral ties can impact jaw and airway development, leading to a narrower airway that is more prone to collapse as they grow. This increases the risk of snoring, sleep apnea, and related issues. By addressing tongue ties, lip ties, and buccal ties early through frenectomy or functional frenuloplasty, we can support better tongue posture, promote healthy nasal breathing, and ensure proper growth and development.


Improving Breathing and Sleep
Adults with tongue ties, lip ties, or buccal ties often experience symptoms such as mouth breathing, snoring, jaw pain, and poor sleep. By undergoing a frenectomy or functional frenuloplasty, adults can achieve better tongue mobility, improved airway function, and relief from these common issues. Our approach focuses on restoring optimal tongue and airway function for better breathing, deeper sleep, and enhanced overall health.
LightScalpel CO2 Laser Technology

The Gold Standard in Oral Tie Releases
At Austin Sleep and Airway Health, we use the LightScalpel CO2 laser for frenectomies and oral tie releases. This advanced technology provides unmatched precision, comfort, and effective outcomes. Unlike traditional surgical methods, the LightScalpel CO2 laser minimizes discomfort, reduces recovery time, and offers superior results for tongue ties, lip ties, and buccal ties. With the LightScalpel CO2 laser, you can trust that your care is in the best hands—combining innovative technology with our commitment to exceptional outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Reduced Post-Operative Pain
Patients often experience minimal discomfort and faster healing.
Minimized Bleeding and Swelling
The laser’s precision reduces bleeding and swelling during and after the procedure.
Lower Risk of Infection
The LightScalpel CO2 laser promotes a sterile surgical environment, minimizing infection risks.
Shorter Procedure and Recovery Time
Procedures are typically quicker and recovery is smoother, allowing patients to return to their routine faster.
A Simple Path to Better Sleep and Airway Health
Ready to improve your health and start feeling better? Here’s how to begin
Schedule your initial airway evaluation with Dr. Culotta. This is where we take the time to understand your unique health challenges and concerns.
Based on your evaluation, Dr. Culotta will design a treatment plan specifically for you. We make sure it’s realistic, manageable, and effective.
With your custom plan in place, you’ll begin your journey to better health, improved sleep, and more energy. Follow your steps and get back to living your healthiest lives.
Your questions answered
What is a CO2 Oral Tie Release?
A CO2 Oral Tie Release involves using a LightScalpel CO2 laser to correct tongue ties, lip ties, or buccal ties that restrict mouth and tongue movement. This precise, minimally invasive procedure helps improve airway health, breathing, and overall function.
What conditions are treated with a frenectomy or functional frenuloplasty?
We treat tongue ties, lip ties, and buccal ties that may cause restricted tongue movement, mouth breathing, speech issues, poor sleep, and airway obstruction. These conditions can affect both children and adults.
Why is restricted tongue movement harmful?
Restricted tongue movement can prevent the tongue from resting properly against the roof of the mouth, which impacts breathing, leads to mouth breathing, and may contribute to airway obstruction, sleep apnea, and other health issues.
How does the LightScalpel CO2 laser differ from traditional methods?
The LightScalpel CO2 laser offers a more precise and minimally invasive treatment compared to traditional surgery. It results in less bleeding, reduced swelling, lower risk of infection, shorter procedure times, and faster, smoother recovery.
What are the benefits of treating a tongue tie in children?
Treating tongue ties in children can improve their tongue posture, support healthy jaw and airway development, reduce the risk of snoring or sleep apnea, and promote better breathing and overall growth.
Is the procedure painful?
The LightScalpel CO2 laser minimizes discomfort, and most patients experience little to no pain during the procedure. Post-operative pain is generally reduced compared to traditional methods, with a quicker recovery time.
