Frenectomy
FRENECTOMY
What You Need to Know About Oral Frenectomies
People can be born with a tongue tie (lingual frenulum) or a lip tie (labial frenulum), which can cause difficulty speaking, eating, or even swallowing in severe cases. A lip tie can also limit lip movement, interfere with the proper growth and spacing of the two front teeth, and may result in gum recession.
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A frenectomy (also called a frenulectomy) is a simple surgical procedure in which the labial or lingual frenulum is removed or modified. A frenectomy can be performed quickly, safely and with minimal pain and healing time, for young children and adults alike.
​Frenectomy Procedure
FRENECTOMY
In most cases, the oral frenectomy procedure is fairly straightforward. Here are the general steps:
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After a consultation with your doctor or pediatrician, the person getting the frenectomy procedure will need to be secured while lying faceup. You may need to hold your child during the procedure.
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Your doctor may apply a topical anesthetic to the area to numb any pain.
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Your doctor will quickly snip the frenum using a scalpel, surgical scissors, or a cauterizing instrument.
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If the lip tie is severe or more complicated, it may require a few stitches to close the incision.
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The entire procedure will likely take 15 minutes or less from start to finish.
Laser frenectomy
A laser frenectomy is basically the same procedure as a traditional oral frenectomy. The only difference is that the procedure uses a laser, which minimizes the risk of infection and blood loss.
