Frenectomy

Your frenum is important for the structure of your mouth. If you are experiencing issues with this connective tissue, our team can help you address it by performing a frenectomy. Even though this is most common in babies, it can impact people of all ages.

If a frenectomy is right for you, we will keep you as comfortable as possible while improving your oral health. Learn more about it for anectomy below, and give us a call to schedule an appointment. 

What Is a Frenectomy?

A frenectomy is a simple oral surgery procedure that resolves issues caused by a frenum that does not develop properly. Dr. Thompson can perform this procedure in our office in about 30 minutes.  

There are two frena that cause the most issues: the maxillary labial frenulum and the lingual frenulum. The maxillary labial frenulum connects your top lip to your gums, while the lingual frenulum attaches your tongue to the floor of your mouth.

When these tissues do not develop properly, you end up with one or both of the following problems:

• Lip tie occurs when the maxillary labial frenulum grows excess tissue tightly attached to the gums. The tissue is usually thicker and stiffer than usual, often preventing babies from breastfeeding and eventually creating a gap between the top front teeth.  
• Tongue tie happens when the lingual frenulum is shorter, thicker, and stiffer than normal, effectively limiting the range of motion of your tongue. The tip of the tongue may end up tightly tethered to the floor of the mouth, which can prevent babies from breastfeeding.

Lip and tongue ties can cause problems with eating, swallowing, and even speaking well into adulthood. 

What Happens During a Frenectomy?

We will take the following steps during this procedure:

1. Apply a topical anesthetic to the area and wait for it to take effect
2. Use a scalpel or surgical scissors to clip the frenum 
3. Place a suture or two to secure the tissues while they heal

Sutures are not always required for this procedure, but we will evaluate and make sure you are as comfortable as possible during the recovery process. 

Aftercare for Frenectomy

You will receive aftercare instructions at the end of your frenectomy appointment. Oral tissues heal quickly, but you will need to remain vigilant for the first day or two after the procedure.

For best results, avoid using a straw, spitting, or putting pressure on the wound. Skip brushing and flossing for one day and then resume your regular oral care routine the following evening.

Of course, your satisfaction is always our top priority, and we will make sure you are as comfortable as possible before, during, and after the procedure. It is an essential part of the Pine Creek Dental experience. 

If you want to learn more about the frenectomy procedure, give us a call at (719) 268-9400. We are here to serve all of your oral health needs.