What is a Frenectomy, and When is it Necessary?

Frenectomy is unfamiliar to many people, but it’s a common procedure in dentistry. The frenectomy removes a small tissue (frenum) that connects two soft tissues in the mouth. This surgical process is typically done to alleviate tongue and lip movement issues. Edmondson Family Dental Care offers the frenectomy procedure in Windsor Mill, Maryland, to promote optimal oral function. If you suspect you or your loved ones need this procedure, schedule an appointment with Dr. Jon Edmondson for top-notch dental care. 

What is a lip/tongue tie?

A tongue tie occurs when the soft tissue attachment (lingual frenulum) that links the tongue to the floor of the mouth is shorter than usual or extends too much towards the tongue’s tip. A tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) limits the tongue’s movement, making it challenging to lift it or move it from side to side. This restricted tongue movement limits the ability to breastfeed and speak naturally. 

A lip tie happens when the membrane attaching the lips to the gums (labial frenulum) is too short or thicker than usual, limiting the upper lip movement. This affects breastfeeding since the baby can’t make a proper seal around the nipple. 

What are the symptoms of a tongue/lip-tie?

Many children are diagnosed with a tongue/lip-tie shortly after birth. Here are the signs that your child has this irregularity.

  • Poor latch when nursing
  • Difficulty sticking the tongue out
  • Increased gassiness and poor weight gain
  • Inability to use a bottle
  • Tongue with a heart-shaped appearance
  • Milk leaking from the sides of the mouth when feeding
  • Colic or reflux symptoms
  • Sore or cracked nipples for the nursing mother

A tongue or lip tie causes more than the above symptoms. Restricted tongue movement affects natural speech, making it difficult to pronounce certain sounds. In some cases, a lip tie can contribute to gum recession, which may expose the roots of teeth and lead to sensitivity, decay, or tooth loss. Limited tongue movement can also affect the proper alignment and spacing of your teeth, resulting in orthodontic problems later in life. 

What can I expect from the frenectomy procedure?

A frenectomy or tongue/lip-tie release involves severing the frenum to improve the tongue or lip’s range of motion. Although the procedure is surgical, our dentist ensures comfort throughout the procedure. Before treatment, the dentist administers powerful anesthetics to ensure you don’t feel pain during the treatment. Once you are at ease, the dentist uses a laser or scalpel to sever the frenulum attachment. This releases the lip and tongue to promote optimal oral function. 

Recovering from a frenectomy is swift. However, expect your baby to be much fussy than usual. The baby may face some difficulties with breastfeeding, but this improves after a few days. It takes 2-3 weeks to heal, but laser frenectomies take a shorter period. 

Can a tongue-tie grow back?

While the severed frenum can’t grow back, improper healing can cause the severed frenulum to reattach. During the healing process, scar tissue can form, which might restrict the tongue’s movement again. In some cases, this can result in a recurrence of the tongue-tie. Post-operative exercises or stretches for the tongue can help promote optimal healing and reduce the risk of reattachment.

Do you need a frenectomy?

Lip and tongue-ties are common in children but can also affect adults. Edmondson Family Dental Care offers exceptional frenectomy services in Windsor Mill, MD, so you can expect nothing short of excellence when you choose us for your care. Call (410) 220-5309 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Edmondson for lip/tongue-tie treatment.Â