Ease discomfort and improve speech

Frenectomy

If it is too large, the attachment between lips and gums or beneath the tongue, known as the frenum, can cause gapped teeth or tongue-tie.

During a frenectomy, a doctor can clip this tissue to ease discomfort and even improve speech for children or adults.

A patient listening to his oral surgery and post-op options at Associated Oral & Implant Surgeons

A range of oral health and speech benefits.

Clipping the frenum that connects your upper or lower lip to the gums can relieve excess pressure and pain.

By reducing the dense connective tissue fibers, your doctor can realign your front teeth for a stronger, straighter smile.

Cutting the frenum beneath the tongue can improve both communication and the ability to eat, as well as allow for the normal expanding growth of the palate.

When is a frenectomy needed?

Is surgical intervention the right choice?

The prospect of surgery can make any person nervous, especially if your child is the patient. However, a frenectomy is a relatively simple and short procedure. In fact, most patients only need a topical anesthetic to stay comfortable during their appointment. 

It’s also important to keep in mind that the earlier in life the surgery is done, the simpler it is. Early intervention can even reduce the risk of the frenum affecting the growth of the jaw and dental development.

Lingual frenum image stating if too large, this attachment below the tongue can interfere with both speech and eating, and an image of labial frenum stating that when too large, this attachment between the lips and gums can shift teeth and pull the gums

To get a frenectomy or not?

There is no alternative to a frenectomy that specifically targets the same issue. While orthodontics alone may be sufficient to treat milder cases of overly large labial frenums, braces can’t offset all the effects. It really comes down to a single choice: to undergo surgery or not. It’s that simple. 

At the appointment.

From start to finish, a frenectomy rarely takes longer than a few minutes.

Apply a topical anesthetic to the frenum and surrounding tissue to numb the area.

Gently clip or remove the frenum with scissors, a scalpel, or a laser. If necessary, the doctor will then close the incision with dissolvable sutures.

Get to know us.

At Associated Oral & Implant Surgeons, we know how to help you. Our board-certified surgeons and expert staff can provide the care you need to relieve the discomfort you feel.

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