Frenectomy

Frenectomy is a minor surgical procedure that is used to treat a lip or tongue tie. It can be used to increase the range of motion of your tongue or to close a gap between two teeth. A frenum that is too short or too tight can cause oral health issues and interfere with speech. In babies, it can cause issues with feeding and swallowing. Depending on the site of the procedure frenectomies can be classified as labial gums or lingual (tongue) frenectomy.

Your tongue is connected to your mouth by the lingual frenum. The lingual frenum varies in length from person to person. In some cases, people are born with a very short lingual frenum. This shortened frenum restricts tongue movement. (Tongue-tie).

The labial frenum connects your upper lip to the gum tissue above your front teeth. If this frenum is shorter than average, it can cause difficulty in speech development.

Most of the time, frenectomies are performed on babies who are having feeding issues or if there are speech concerns. But sometimes, frenectomies are necessary for adults, too. For example, sometimes a frenum can be so tight that it pulls your gums away from your teeth. A frenectomy frees the band of connective tissue, reducing the risk of gaps, gum recession and other oral health problems. 

There are many reasons why you or your child might need a frenectomy. Your healthcare might recommend this procedure to correct a frenum that’s causing:

• A lip-tie, which limits lip movement.
• A tongue-tie, which limits your tongue’s range of motion.
• Diastema (a gap between your teeth), which may be cosmetically displeasing to some people.
• Gum recession, which can lead to gingivitis, cavities and mobility.
• Pain, swelling or tenderness with brushing or oral care.

There are two main types of oral frenectomies:

• Lingual frenectomy: This procedure removes or modifies the band of tissue that connects the underside of your tongue to the floor of your mouth. Lingual frenectomies are used to correct tongue-ties.
• Labial frenectomy: Sometimes called a maxillary frenectomy, this procedure removes the band of tissue that connects your upper gums to your front teeth. Labial frenectomies are used to correct lip-ties. It’s important to note that labial frenectomies can be performed on the lower lip, too — but upper lip frenectomies are more common.

Frenectomy surgery offers a number of benefits. For example, this procedure can:

• Improve breastfeeding problems in infants.
• Improve speech problems caused by tongue-tie.
• Reduce your risk of tooth decay, gum disease and other oral health problems.
• Enhance the appearance of your smile by eliminating gaps.