What is frenectomy and when is it necessary?

In the mouth, a frenulum is a soft tissue that runs in a thin line between the lips and the gums, both at the top and at the bottom of the mouth. The frenulum can vary in thickness and length between different people.

The frenulum that runs along the base of the tongue and connects to the floor of the mouth is called the lingual frenulum. The length of the lingual frenulum varies from person to person. In some cases, people are born with a very short tongue tie. This shortened frenulum restricts the movement of the tongue. This condition is also called tongue-tie, occurs in almost 5% of babies, and is more common in boys than girls.

On the other hand, the labial frenulum connects the upper lip with the gum area just above the central incisors. If this frenulum is shorter than normal, it can cause difficulties in speech development. This condition is a type of lip stickiness.

Frenectomy, what is it and in what cases does it need to be performed? Dr Pascal Terjanian explains:

A frenectomy is a procedure in which junctional tissue is cut or modified. Frenectomy procedures are quite common, especially during the infant stage of life. Most of the time, the oral procedure is intended to resolve the tongue or lip tie.

Lingual frenectomy vs. labial frenectomy

Having a short lingual frenulum can interfere with breastfeeding during infancy and the development of speech as the child grows. A quick procedure called a lingual frenectomy can give the tongue a greater range of motion.

The adhesion of the lips can also pose a problem with tooth development and make it difficult to clean the gums and front teeth completely. This increases the risk of gum disease and other dental complications. As a solution, a labial frenectomy can make the upper lip more mobile.

Frenectomy: the intervention

In most cases, the frenectomy procedure is fairly straightforward. First, a local anesthetic will be applied to numb the area, then the dentist will proceed to quickly cut the frenulum with a scalpel, surgical scissors, or a cautery instrument.

If the lip ligation is more complicated, some stitches may be needed to close the incision.

A frenectomy can also be performed with a laser, being basically the same procedure as a traditional oral frenectomy. The only difference is that the procedure is performed using a laser, which minimizes the risk of infection and blood loss.

The labial frenulum and the lingual frenulum are typically identified in infants.

The intervention in infants

A frenectomy is relatively easy to perform on an infant . The risks and complications are minimal.

Babies with these conditions are sometimes not effective at breastfeeding. This can result in slow weight gain or loss in the baby. Also, the mother may experience more pain during feeding if her baby has short braces on the lips or tongue.

The intervention in adults

As you age, the oral cavity changes significantly. If having a short frenulum, speech develops normally and there are no problems with eating and drinking, it may not be necessary to treat it.

However, a short frenulum could cause the gums of the lower front teeth to recede, causing a recession of the gums. It can also restrict the mobility of the tongue or the ability to move the lips.

In these cases, a frenectomy may be considered in adults .

The procedure is the same as in children, with the difference that it may require a longer recovery time.

Care after the intervention

Recovery after an oral frenectomy is usually easy. It is important to keep the area clean. In the case of adults, it is advisable to change the diet during the first days. Food trapped in the affected area can increase the risk of infection. After an oral frenectomy, the dentist may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection or possible complications. After a week, the area begins to heal, and you can resume all normal activities.

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