FRENECTOMY

The muscles attaching the upper lip to the alveolar ridge of a child are often thick, causing a space between the child’s two upper front teeth. The space is called a diastema, and often, this attachment binds the upper lip too close to the teeth. This makes it difficult for the child or their parent to properly brush the area without traumatizing the soft tissue. When this happens, we may advise getting a frenectomy to aid in future closing of the space and to stop the toothbrush abrasion of the tissue around the neck of the two front teeth.