What Is A Frenectomy? A Comprehensive Guide For Parents

Most parents are unfamiliar with the topic of frenectomies. However, a frenectomy is a procedure that is fairly common and performed on infants or children who have issues that arise as a result of conditions commonly known as lip-tie and tongue-tie.  

What Is a Dental Frenectomy? (What Is Frenectomy in Dentistry?)

In dentistry, a frenectomy is a general term that refers to a minor surgical procedure designed to correct a lip tie or tongue tie (ankyloglossia). There are three primary types of frenectomy procedures.  

Labial Frenectomy

A labial frenectomy removes a frenulum located between the lip and the gum tissues. Labial frenectomies are most commonly performed on the upper labial frenulum. Although lip ties occur less commonly with the lower frenulum, labial frenectomies can also be performed on the lower labial frenulum if required.  

Lingual Frenectomy

A lingual frenectomy removes the frenulum that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth.  

Buccal Frenectomy

A buccal frenectomy removes the tissue that connects the cheek to the gum. Of the three types of frenectomies, this procedure is the least commonly required.  

Frenectomy vs. Frenotomy: What's the Difference?

Sometimes, the term "frenectomy" is used universally. Frenectomies and frenotomies are similar procedures that treat lip ties and tongue ties. Technically, however, they are different. A frenectomy procedure removes the entire frenulum, and a frenotomy procedure trims the frenulum.  

When Is a Frenectomy Needed?

A frenectomy is usually recommended when an infant, child, or adult has an overgrown, overly thick, abnormally short, or unusually tight labial or lingual frenulum.  

Lip-tie or tongue-tie can cause:

• Infant difficulty with feeding (nursing or bottle)

• Speech delay and development issues

• Gaps between the front teeth

• Gum recession due to excessive tension

• Open-mouthed breathing

• Difficulty swallowing

• Inability to clean the teeth with the tongue

In addition to these serious health and developmental concerns, lip-tie and tongue-tie can also hinder a person's ability to enjoy fun activities like licking a lollypop, sticking out their tongue to catch a snowflake or make a funny face, and even kissing (when they're all grown up, of course).  

At What Age Should a Child Have a Frenectomy?

A frenectomy can be performed at any age, even into adulthood. To minimize complications associated with lip-tie and tongue-tie, however, healthcare professionals typically recommend that infants or toddlers have frenectomies performed before age two. The reason for this early-age recommendation is to minimize negative impacts on speech development and nutrition.

A frenectomy can be urgently necessary for infants whose feeding habits and abilities are hindered by lip-tie or tongue-tie. If an infant's ability to nurse or feed is hindered by a frenulum, then the frenectomy should be performed as soon as possible (within the first couple of weeks after birth).  

Typically, performing a frenectomy as early as possible during a child's development will provide the most benefits and minimize the potential risks associated with frenectomies performed later.  

Frenectomy Benefits: What Is the Purpose of a Frenectomy?

The purpose of a frenectomy is to release the frenulum to mitigate the negative effects of lip-tie or tongue-tie, allowing for proper range of motion, function, and facial growth.  

Are There Any Risks or Drawbacks Associated With Frenectomy Procedures?

Frenectomy procedures are simple oral surgeries. Generally, they are considered to be very safe, and usually, the benefits outweigh any potential risks.  

Some rare risks or post-surgical complications associated with frenectomies include:

• Bleeding

• Feeding aversion

• Infection

• Injury to oral nerves or saliva ducts

• Respiratory problems

• Scaring

At Expedition Pediatric Dentistry, we are prepared and trained for these complications and take precautions with every procedure we perform to mitigate risks and get predicable results. Additionally, we use advanced surgical tools and techniques designed to minimize the risk of bleeding, swelling, and infection.

What Is a Frenectomy Procedure? How a Frenectomy Procedure Works

A frenectomy is a quick and minimally invasive oral surgical procedure to remove excess tissue preventing normal function and movement of the tongue or lip. The procedure is performed in the office and a frenectomy appointment lasts about an hour, but the actual procedure only takes a few minutes. Most of the appointment is spent talking about the examination, procedure, and aftercare.

Preparing for a Frenectomy

Before recommending a frenectomy, Dr. Miller will typically recommend that your infant be evaluated by an Internation Board Certified Lactation Consultant and for children a Speech-Language Pathologist or Myofunctional Therapist. If it is determined that your infant or child could benefit from a frenectomy, we will then review your child's medical history, assess and discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure and determine your child's readiness for the procedure.

We prepare for your child's frenectomy by administering a weight appropriate dose of a systemic pain medication and applying a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area; our goal is to keep your child comfortable throughout the procedure. For older children, we might also recommend a child-appropriate sedation dentistry technique such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or oral conscious sedation to help them feel calm and comfortable throughout the appointment.  

What Happens During a Frenectomy

Once the anesthetic has taken effect, we place laser safety glasses to protect their eyes. We ensure your child is gently but safely stabilized while Dr. Miller uses a precise soft tissue laser to remove the excess tissue of the frenum. The LightScalpal CO2 laser we use evaporates the tissue which cauterizes while cutting resulting in very little bleeding. Since surgical lasers work quickly and precisely, the surgical removal of tissue only takes a few minutes.

Frenectomy Recovery

Recovery time after a laser frenectomy is minimal, with most infants and children only experiencing pain for the first few days after the procedure. To ease recovery, we recommend nursing or feeding infants immediately after the procedure. Infant acetaminophen is recommended every four to six hours for the first three days. Older children can have weight-appropriate doses of ibuprofen to help ease pain.

After a frenectomy, it can take a period of adjustment for infants to relearn how to feed and develop better techniques. Additionally, older children might require speech therapy or myofascial therapy to correct speech issues that have already developed and ensure proper healing and strengthening of new muscles.  

From consultation to recovery, our pediatric dentist will be here to support you and your child throughout the treatment process.  

Gentle Frenectomy in Bellevue: Complete Lip and Tongue Tie Care at Expedition Pediatric Dentistry

At Expedition Pediatric Dentistry, we're equipped with the most advanced surgical tools to ensure our young patients have the safest, most comfortable treatment experience possible. That's why we use a soft tissue laser to perform laser frenectomies. Surgical lasers offer greater precision than scalpels while minimizing recovery time, soft tissue damage, risk of infection, swelling, bleeding, and post-surgical pain. Frenectomies performed with our CO2 soft tissue laser are completed in almost an instant while we take every precaution to ensure patients are safe and comfortable throughout the procedure.  

If your infant or child is exhibiting signs or symptoms of lip-tie or tongue-tie, we encourage you to visit our pediatric dentist right away. Dr. Miller can talk with you about your child's symptoms and perform a thorough examination to help you determine whether a laser frenectomy is the proper treatment for your child.  

To learn more or request a frenectomy consultation, we welcome you to contact Expedition Pediatric Dentistry in Bellevue, Washington today.

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