Frenectomy | Tongue-tie Release

A frenectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a frenum, a small fold of tissue that connects two structures in the body. This procedure can be performed on the frenum (aka frenulum) located under the tongue (lingual frenum) or the frenulum located between the upper two front teeth (labial frenum).

Indications:

• Limited tongue mobility or tongue-tie: when the lingual frenulum is too short or tight, it can restrict the movement of the tongue, which can cause difficulties with speech, breastfeeding, and eating.

• Gaps or spacing between teeth: when the labial frenulum is too long, it can create a gap or spacing between the two upper front teeth, which can be aesthetically unpleasing or cause speech difficulties.

• Gum recession or periodontal problems: in some cases, the frenulum can cause the gum tissue to pull away from the teeth, leading to gum recession and other periodontal problems.

Benefits:

• Improved tongue mobility and function

• Improved speech, eating, and breastfeeding

• Improved appearance of teeth and smile

• Reduced risk of periodontal problems

Procedure: The frenectomy procedure is a relatively simple and quick procedure that can be performed in the office under local anesthesia (and with laughing gas too if desired). Once the area is numb, a small incision is made to remove the frenum. Depending on the type of frenectomy, dissolvable stitches may be used to close the incision. Recovery time is usually minimal, and patients can resume normal activities within a few days.