The frenum is a small band of tissue in your mouth that joins your tongue to your lower jaw (lingual frenum), your lips to your front teeth (labial frenum), and your gums to your cheeks (buccal frenum).
For some people, the connective tissue can be too tight. If your oral function is impaired or you have pain in your mouth, lips, or gums, two common procedures described below—frenectomy or frenotomy—should provide relief. A dental surgeon or oral surgeon can perform either procedure on infants, children, and adults using a scalpel, electrosurgery, or laser surgery.
The most common issues of this type involve the lingual frenum and labial frenum:
- The lingual frenum connects the underside of your tongue to the floor of your mouth. The tissue band can be of different sizes between people, and in some cases, might restrict tongue movement.
- The labial frenum connects your lips to the gums around your upper and lower front teeth. If wider or longer than normal, you may develop spaces between your front teeth, gum recession, and other dental issues.
Frenectomy Explained
A frenectomy releases or completely removes the frenum:
- Lingual frenectomy helps increase tongue movement. Reduced tongue mobility can alter speech, cause changes in tooth position, and interfere with jaw development in children.
- Labial frenectomy helps close gaps in the front teeth and prevents gum recession. Such issues can lead to root exposure and dental hygiene problems. Orthodontists may not be able to close gaps in teeth with braces, and bone problems may develop.
Frenotomy Explained
A frenotomy involves cutting the lingual frenum, but not removing it completely, to provide more movement in the tongue. The procedure is necessary when the frenum is short or tight, causing a condition called ankyloglossia, also known as tongue-tie.
Ankyloglossia is especially problematic for breastfeeding infants. Also, older children may develop speech issues. However, the lingual frenum can change as children grow, so tongue-tie is sometimes resolved. Consult with your child’s pediatrician or dentist for more information.
Frenectomy and Frenotomy Before and After
While frenectomy is a simple and common surgical procedure, it is more intensive due to the complete removal of the frenum. Stitches may be necessary, and young children may require local anesthesia.
For a typical frenotomy, numbing gel or local anesthetic may be necessary.
Follow all pre- and post-operative instructions your dentist provides so you or your child has a safe procedure and comfortable recovery.
Discuss Your Individual Treatment with Your Dentist
Oral health—a comprehensive focus on the health of our teeth and gums, mouth, and other orofacial structures—is a part of our general health. We need good oral health to be able to perform basic functions such as eating, talking, and breathing. We tend to take such things for granted, but they are essential for everyday life.
The frenectomy and frenotomy procedures help eliminate conditions in your mouth that can cause oral health issues. Should you require either surgery, your outlook for long-term improvement is extremely positive.
Related Article: Labial Frenectomy