What is a frenectomy?
A frenectomy or frenotomy is a procedure that consists of releasing the
frenum under the tongue or upper lip to allow for a better range of motion.
There are two connective tissues in the mouth known as frenums. These
frenums connect tissue together to provide stable and ample movement of the
lip or tongue. Frenectomies are a very common pediatric dental procedure
and can be easily and safely performed here at Pediatric Dentistry.
Why would your infant or child need a frenectomy?
There are several conditions and combinations of conditions your child may
be born with that a frenectomy can solve. Children may be born with
tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) and/or a lip-tie, causing restrictions in
movement that can cause difficulty with eating, chewing, smiling,
breastfeeding – or even more severe problems such as speech and airway
difficulties, dental decay or spacing, or digestive issues. During a
routine dental exam, we will be able to tell if your child is having issues
due to the size and shape of their frenum. We will then discuss options
concerning removing or altering the size of this connective tissue.
What is a lip tie?
A lip tie occurs when the labial frenulum, the piece of tissue that
attaches the upper lip to the gums, causes restriction in your child’s
mouth because it is too tight, too thick or both. This may make it more
difficult for your child to move their upper lip.
If your child or infant has a moderate to severe lip-tie, they may
experience the following issues:
- A formation of a large gap, called a diastema, between your child’s
two front teeth
- Heightened risk of dental decay
- Challenges with brushing and flossing
- Vulnerability and risk of trauma to the frenum
- Inability, difficulty or pain with breastfeeding
What is a tongue-tie?
Tongue-Tie, or ankyloglossia, is a condition in which your child’s frenulum
is either unusually short, thick or tight, causing the bottom of
the tongue’s tip to tether to the floor of the mouth.
Normal tongue function is crucial to your child’s development. Proper
tongue function contributes to your child’s overall growth and development,
as well as allows your child to develop sufficient swallowing patterns,
encourages your child’s speech progression, and allows for latching ability
during breastfeeding.
If your child or infant has a tongue-tie, they may experience the following
issues:
- Pain or clicking in the jaw
- An inferior prognathism, or a lower jaw protrusion
- Speech impediments, especially when speaking fast, quietly,or loudly
What makes your child a good candidate for a frenectomy?
Oftentimes, parents will notice that there is a problem with their child if
they are unable to smile fully or if they have limited movement of their
tongue. For infants, this can make it difficult for them to breastfeed
properly and comfortably. For toddlers, it can make it difficult for them
to speak, which may be construed as a speech impediment. A frenectomy is a
minimally invasive procedure that can be performed right in our office, on
both infants and children.
What happens during the procedure for a frenectomy?
To make the procedure more comfortable, we will use sedation to put your
child into partial or full sleep. The frenum is then cut or severed so that
movement is restored to either the upper lip or tongue that it was
affecting. The surgery takes very little time and can be done in less than
an hour in our office. Because the surgery is being done on an infant or
child, their body is likely to heal quicker than if it was done in
adulthood and the mouth will adapt easily to the frenum being severed or
altered in size and shape. We understand that it can be confusing to
understand the meaning of a frenectomy and what it can do for your child,
so we’re here to answer any questions you may have regarding this procedure.
If you think your child may benefit from a frenectomy or you want to know
more about this procedure, call our office and we will be more than happy
to further assist you.
