Ease discomfort and improve speech
Frenectomy
Sometimes the attachment between your lips and gums or beneath the tongue can be too large. This is known as the frenum and can cause gapped teeth or tongue-tie.
During a frenectomy, a doctor will numb the area and then clip this tissue. The benefits of this procedure are to improve speech and ease discomfort in the area.
A range of oral health and speech benefits.
- Reduce Oral Discomfort
Clipping the frenum that connects your upper or lower lip to the gums can relieve excess pressure and discomfort.
- Realign Your Bite
By reducing the dense connective tissue fibers, your doctor can realign your front teeth for a stronger, straighter smile.
- Enhance Speech and Appetite
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.
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.
- Only a Few Minutes
From start to finish, a frenectomy rarely takes longer than a few minutes.
- Apply a Topical Anesthetic
Apply a topical anesthetic to the frenum and surrounding tissue to numb the area.
- Clip & Stitch
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 Bloomington Oral Surgery, 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.
