Frenectomy

What Is a Frenectomy?

A frenum is a small band of tissue that connects the lip or tongue to the gum. A frenectomy releases or removes a frenum that is too short, too thick or attached too far forward, freeing the movement it was restricting. The procedure is brief and done under local anesthetic, with a scalpel or a soft-tissue laser.

When It Is Recommended

A tight lingual frenum — tongue-tie — can limit tongue movement enough to affect infant feeding, and in some cases speech and oral hygiene later on. A tight labial frenum can pull the lip against the gums, contributing to gum recession between the front teeth or holding open a gap between them.

It is also done to stop a frenum pulling on a denture edge and unseating it.

Healing

Healing is usually quick, with mild soreness for several days and a small white patch at the site as the tissue closes. Gentle stretching exercises are often advised afterwards so the tissue heals in its released position, and where speech or feeding is the concern, therapy alongside the procedure gives the best result.