Need a Frenectomy? How A Simple Procedure Can Provide Instant Relief

What is a Frenectomy?

Mouth’s contain a piece of soft tissue attached to the lips and gums called a frenum. A frenectomy is an oral procedure meant to fix a tongue tie or a lip tie. A lip tie is skin connecting the upper lip to the gums restricts lip movement. A tongue tie is a condition where the band of tissue under the tongue ties the tongue’s tip to the floor of the mouth.

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Is there an age limit?

It is never too late to undergo a frenectomy for there is no age limit.

In babies

Lip and tongue ties are generally spotted in infants. A frenum that is too tight or too short can bring distress to the baby therefore interfering with breastfeeding. This makes it difficult for the baby to latch onto their mother and swallow causing them to not get the proper amount of nutrients needed during breastfeeding. A too short or too tight frenum can also negatively affect a child’s speed impediment as their speech develops. A frenectomy acts as a preventative measure to effectively solve these issues that may develop.

In adults 

Many individuals with lip or tongue ties can experience no troubles when eating or drinking throughout their lifetime. It may be that you never got a frenectomy when younger, and that you may never need to get one. However over time one’s frenum can become shifted closer to their gums.The frenum can eventually pull the gums away from the lower front teeth which can lead to a receding gum line. Moreover, the frenum can hinder lip movement as well as limit tongue movement. A frenectomy would help alleviate such problems that can develop over time.

Procedure 

1. Get a consultation with your doctor or pediatrician to determine if procedure in necessary
2. Your doctor may apply a topical anesthetic to the area to numb you in order to prevent any sensation of pain during the procedure. 
3. Your doctor will cut the frenum using a scalpel, surgical scissors, or a cauterizing instrument (laser). The technique used during your frenectomy is determined on what process your doctor’s office offers. Here at Warner Plaza Dental Group we offer laser treatment for a frenectomy. 
4. If the lip tie is more complicated, a few stitches might be required to close the incision. 
5. The entire procedure will likely take 10 minutes or less.

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Recovery time

It takes between two to three weeks for the frenum to fully heal. A laser frenectomy has a quicker recovery time — one to two weeks—since the laser treatment allows for minimal tissue damage and reduces risk of infections. This also makes the procedure less painful than the other methods offered, although you may experience a slight discomfort or swelling the first couple of days. To help aid the recovery process it is recommended to massage the area lasered every day for a week. To massage the lasered area you simply apply gentle pressure with your thumbs to the lasered area up and down and side to side for a 2 to 3 minutes.

How to determine if you should get one.

If you believe you need to get a frenectomy, it is recommended to seek medical attention from a dentist or health provider.

Need Treatment?

If told by a professional doctor/ dentist that a frenectomy is needed, schedule your appointment at Warner Plaza Dental Group in Woodland Hills, California. We can provide a thorough assessment and suggest the best treatment necessary. 

We would love to answer any further questions if needed. Call us at (818)-888-6700 or feel free to email us at info@warnerplazadentalgroup.com.