A Complete Guide to a Frenectomy Procedure and Its Benefits

You might be considering a frenectomy if you’re faced with oral issues like tongue-tie, lip-tie, or dental misalignments. This minor surgical procedure targets the frenum, a small fold of tissue that can cause significant dental problems when not functioning as it should. This article will explore when a frenectomy is necessary, how it’s performed, and what benefits it offers for both oral movement and dental health.

What is the Frenum?

Child with labial frenum lip tie

The frenum is a simple piece of tissue in your mouth. It connects your gums to your lips and helps with talking, swallowing, and keeping your teeth in place.

Did you know you have three kinds of frenum in your mouth? They are the:

  • Lingual Frenum
  • Labial Frenum
  • Buccal Frenum

Each one has a different job and can sometimes cause problems. Let’s learn more about these important parts of your mouth!

Lingual Frenum and Tongue Tie

The lingual frenum (or frenulum), a band of tissue tying your tongue to the floor of your mouth, is situated just behind your teeth. Its location and function make it a critical player in our ability to speak and swallow.

However, when this frenum is abnormally short or thick, it restricts the tongue’s movement, leading to a condition known as tongue-tie or ankyloglossia. This can result in speech impediments and dental issues like changes in tooth position. Removing part of the frenulum can provide significant relief, enhancing tongue mobility and improving breastfeeding and speech quality.

Labial Frenum and Lip Tie

The labial frenum, also referred to as the labial frenulum, plays a pivotal role in lip mobility. This soft tissue, specifically the superior labial frenulum, connects your upper lip to the maxillary gingiva (upper gums), with a similar tissue connecting your lower lip to your lower gums. Its primary function is to allow normal movement and growth of teeth, contributing to your overall dental health.

But what happens when this frenum causes more harm than good? When the attachment tissue between the lip and gums is too short and tight, it restricts lip movement, leading to a condition known as lip tie. Left untreated, this can lead to gaps between teeth, speech difficulties, and oral hygiene challenges.

Monitoring Your Child’s Labial Frenulum as They Start to Walk

As your little one takes those adorable first steps, it’s crucial to keep an eye on their labial frenulum. This small but significant tissue attaches the inside of the upper lip to the gums and can play a pivotal role in your child’s oral health.

What to Watch For:

  • Injuries and Tears: Small accidents are inevitable as children learn to walk. Falls may cause the frenulum to tear, leading to discomfort and potential complications.
  • Signs of Discomfort: Watch for signs like your child avoiding certain foods, excessive drooling, or complaints about mouth pain, which may indicate frenulum issues.
  • Proper Alignment: Ensure that the upper lip moves freely without restriction, which helps in maintaining good oral hygiene and correct speech development.
  • Regular Dental Check-Ups: Schedule regular visits to a pediatric dentist who can monitor the frenulum and address any concerns early on.

When Might a Torn Labial Frenulum Require Stitches or Medical Attention?

In most instances, a torn labial frenulum heals on its own without much intervention. However, there are some situations where medical attention becomes necessary.

Signs That Stitches Might Be Needed:

  • Depth of the Tear: If the tear is particularly deep, it might require stitches to ensure proper healing and to prevent infection.
  • Excessive Bleeding: If the wound continues to bleed heavily despite applying pressure, it’s crucial to seek medical help.
  • Pain and Swelling: Persistent pain and swelling can indicate complications that need a health professional’s assessment.

When to Consult a Health Professional:

  • Checkup: If you’re unsure about the severity of the tear, a healthcare provider can give a thorough evaluation.
  • Signs of Infection: Redness, warmth, and pus are signs that an infection might be setting in, requiring professional intervention.
  • Difficulty Eating or Speaking: If the tear hampers daily activities like eating or talking, it’s best to get it checked.

Prompt medical attention can prevent complications and ensure a smooth recovery. Always err on the side of caution when dealing with injuries to delicate areas like the frenulum.

Will a Torn Labial Frenulum Heal on Its Own?

A torn labial frenulum often heals naturally without medical intervention. The frenulum, a small fold of tissue in the mouth, has an impressive ability to repair itself given time.

When to Seek Medical Attention:

  • Deep or Large Cuts: Significant damage may require stitches to ensure proper healing.
  • Persistent Bleeding: If the bleeding doesn’t stop or slows down even after applying pressure.
  • Signs of Infection: Watch out for increased redness, swelling, or pus.

Self-Care Tips

For minor tears, consider the following self-care measures to promote healing:

  • Rinse with Warm Saltwater: This can prevent infections and soothe the area.
  • Avoid Irritating Foods: Spicy or acidic foods can exacerbate the injury.
  • Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Gently brush your teeth to keep the area clean without causing further damage.

In most cases, a torn labial frenulum heals on its own. However, if you’re concerned about the severity of the injury or notice unusual symptoms, consulting a healthcare professional is advisable to ensure proper recovery.

Buccal Frenum: Its Role and Potential Issues

Let’s not forget the buccal frenum – the unsung hero connecting your gums to the inner cheek. This critical piece of connective tissue plays a major role in allowing mouth movement during normal oral functions, such as talking and chewing.

However, if the buccal frenum is compromised, it can result in oral dysfunctions. Consistent strain on this frenum could potentially damage the tissue around the teeth. In such instances, a procedure might be necessary to alleviate these concerns.

Benefits of Fixing Your Frenum

Undergoing a frenectomy can bring many benefits based on the age of the patient, and current symptoms they’re wanting to alleviate. A frenectomy can benefit:

  • Breast fed babies as they will have a better ability to latch on longer, working to decrease pain or discomfort for the mother.
  • Those with speech issues, as this survey gives the tongue more space to move leading to strong speech.
  • Oral hygiene as removing the frenum can allow individuals better ability to clean, brush, and floss their teeth without an obstruction.

These are just a few of the benefits that come from fixing your frenum. For those suffering from TMJ, they also may find relief through a frenectomy. Talk with a skilled, dental provider who can review any of your current dental complications and ask if a frenectomy may be right for you.

The Frenectomy Process: What Does It Involve?

Woman in dentist chair to get a frenectomy

A frenectomy is a surgical procedure that removes unwanted frenum tissue for improved oral health. The frenectomy procedure is categorized mainly into two types: 

  • Lingual frenectomy: Addresses the tongue-ties
  • Labial frenectomy: Resolves lip-ties

Additionally, this procedure can be adapted for the lower lip in rare cases.

The procedure is quite simple. It typically involves numbing the area with anesthetic, then the surgeon cuts the frenulum using surgical instruments. The tissue is then stitched back together. The procedure not only alleviates stress on the jawbone but also significantly improves functions like breathing and eating.

Laser Surgery vs Traditional Methods

Traditional methods of frenectomy use scalpels or surgical scissors. While these methods have been utilized for a long time, they may not always be the most comfortable for the patient.

Enter laser surgery—a modern and less invasive alternative. Laser surgery offers several benefits:

  • Causes less tissue damage and bleeding, which enables improved healing post-surgery
  • Improved precision
  • Eliminates the need for stitches
  • Aids in quick clotting
  • Sterilizes the area

Preparing for a Frenectomy

Preparing for a frenectomy is also simple and straightforward. Your healthcare provider will review your health history and discuss sedation options if necessary. This two-way conversation is to ensure you’re comfortable and well-informed before the procedure.

If a frenum has caused a tooth gap, it’s recommended to complete any orthodontic or aesthetic treatment to close the gap before getting a frenectomy. This is because a frenectomy alone won’t cause already spaced teeth to come together. So, better to talk with your orthodontist beforehand!

What to Expect During the Procedure

During the procedure, local anesthesia may be used to numb the tissue before the removal or modification of the frenum. The need for sedation is determined by several factors, including the individual’s age, the complexity of the procedure, and their overall comfort level. Sedation options include nitrous oxide or oral sedatives.

But how long does the procedure take? Not as long as you might think! The entire frenectomy procedure generally takes less than 30 minutes for older children and adults. So, you can be in and out in less time than it takes to watch your favorite sitcom episode!

Post-Frenectomy Care and Recovery

smiling child sitting in a blue chair dental

Once the procedure is complete, your surgeon will give you simple care instructions to follow. These generally include the use of pain relievers, application of antibacterial mouthwash, and scheduling follow-up visits to ensure proper healing. It’s not too complicated, but it’s crucial to follow these steps for a smooth recovery.

Optimal frenectomy results don’t just rely on the procedure itself; they also depend on thorough and cooperative post-surgical care. A bit of teamwork can make a world of difference in achieving a successful frenectomy outcome.

Managing Discomfort and Healing

After a frenectomy, you might experience some discomfort. But don’t worry, it can be easily managed. Medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen can be taken to relieve discomfort, according to age and weight dosage guidelines. For different types of frenectomies, specific measures like applying ice packs externally or using ice chips can help manage pain directly at the surgical site.

Further steps to promote healing include:

  • Applying ice for the first 24 hours post-surgery
  • Warm salt water rinses twice a day
  • Avoid eating until the numbness from the local anesthetic wears off
  • Stay away from hard, crunchy, acidic, and spicy foods until the frenectomy site has healed

Following these guidelines can lead to less pain and quicker healing, especially for laser frenectomy patients.

Oral Hygiene and Follow-Up Visits

Maintaining good oral hygiene after a frenectomy is crucial. This, coupled with scheduled follow-up visits with the dentist or oral surgeon, can ensure recovery without complications. Remember, your healthcare provider is there to guide you through the healing process, so don’t hesitate to reach out with any concerns.

During follow-up visits, your provider will monitor the healing process, especially when sutures are placed post-frenectomy. They’ll also check for a ‘wet scab’, a white patchy area at the location of the frenectomy, which is a normal part of the healing process. Sutures used during a frenectomy typically dissolve within 7-10 days, which the patient should not touch or remove themselves.

When Is a Frenectomy Necessary?

So, when would you need a frenectomy? It’s typically recommended when an abnormal frenum leads dental problems such as:

  • Loss of papilla – the loss of the small triangular piece of tissue between the teeth, which can lead to an unsightly appearance and may contribute to periodontal problems
  • Recession – the pulling back of the gum tissue exposing the roots of the teeth, which can result in sensitivity and increased risk of cavities
  • Diastema – a gap or space between the teeth, which can be a cosmetic concern or may affect the bite and oral health
  • Interfering with orthodontic treatment and denture fitting by preventing teeth from staying in their corrected positions or making it difficult for dentures to stay in place, causing discomfort
  • A torn frenulum warrants the need for a frenectomy.

For babies, a frenectomy is often performed shortly after birth with minimal discomfort. For older children and adults, the procedure’s timing can depend on individual needs.

For Infants and Young Children

In infants and young children, a tight lingual frenum can hinder their ability to breastfeed because their tongue is stuck in a low position. This feeding difficulty can potentially affect their growth. With tongue tie treated through a frenectomy, it can significantly improve breastfeeding and provide considerable relief.

Frenum restrictions can also lead to speech impediments, including lisps and difficulty pronouncing certain sounds. They can cause difficulties with swallowing and foster picky eating habits in children. If a lip or tongue tie impacts feeding, speech, or sleep, a frenectomy is recommended.

Choosing the Right Professional for Your Frenectomy

Child giving dentist a high five

When choosing a professional to perform a frenectomy, it’s essential to consider their experience and skill level. Are they certified by organizations like the Academy of Laser Dentistry or World Clinical Laser Institute? These are some questions you might want to ask.

Remember, different professionals are qualified to perform frenectomies. These include:

  • Periodontists for gum-related cases
  • General and pediatric dentists for labial frenectomies
  • Oral surgeons for complex cases
  • ENT specialists for lingual frenectomies affecting speech or swallowing

And don’t forget to consider providers like pediatric dentists with experience handling various age groups, particularly infants and toddlers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Benefit of a Frenectomy?

By removing the frenum you can help to decrease the risk(s) of gaps and gum recession. Another benefit of a frenectomy is it can improve speech and breathing in some patients, and also lessen the stress on the jawbone.

At What Age Should a Frenectomy Be Done?

The age for when a frenectomy should be performed is case by case. A skilled dentist will be able to determine when this procedure needs to be done, and if the frenum is presenting any current issues. Typically, a frenectomy is performed on patients between the ages of 8 and 11 years old.

What Age is Too Late to Fix a Tongue-Tie, or Get a Frenectomy?

It is never too late for a frenectomy, talk with a dentist to see your options.

Is a Frenectomy Covered by Insurance?

A frenectomy being covered by insurance will depend on a few factors such as your coverage plan. Always connect with your insurance provider first to determine what is and isn’t covered for a frenectomy. The cost of a frenectomy will vary based on location and dentistry, but typically fall within the range of $500 to $1,500.

When is a frenectomy necessary?

A frenectomy is necessary when an abnormal frenum causes dental problems or interferes with orthodontic treatment or feeding in babies. It may also be recommended for denture fitting.

Key Takeaways

  • A frenectomy is a surgical procedure for removing a frenum when it’s causing issues like speech impediments, tooth misalignment, or breastfeeding problems. The procedure can fix the lingual, labial, or buccal frenum.
  • The frenectomy process has evolved to use less invasive techniques such as laser surgery, which reduces tissue damage and bleeding. It is typically a brief procedure that may include local anesthesia and takes less than 30 minutes. The need for the procedure can vary with age and specific oral health issues.
  • Post-operative care is crucial for a successful recovery from a frenectomy, including pain management, maintaining oral hygiene, and follow-up visits.
  • A frenectomy has plenty of benefits from improving speech, oral health, and for breastfed babies.

Frenectomy Procedure at Snodgrass-King Dentistry

Frenectomy procedures are common for children and young teens, and at Snodgrass-King Dentistry we provide adequate skill and comfort for each frenectomy patient. Whether you have questions or ready to book your frenectomy we have you covered. Offering quality dental care since 1997, we have multiple conveniently located offices across Middle Tennessee, including ones in Franklin, Spring Hill, Murfreesboro, and Mt. Juliet, TN. Simply find your closest location and give us a call. We look forward to hearing from you!