Before the “who”, let’s start with the “what”— what’s a frenectomy? The short answer: a frenectomy is a minor dental procedure where excessive gum tissue is removed. Specifically gum tissue around the gum line. A frenectomy can be performed on one of two areas in the mouth: the lingual frenum or the labial frenum. Both are common and highly effective.
Lingual Frenectomy
The lingual frenum is beneath the tongue. Depending on
growth, you’re likely just fine or may be a bit tongue tied. This is when the
lingual frenum is tight enough to impede speech, and is really most common in
children. In cases like these, having a lingual frenectomy will loosen your
tongue to a greater range of motion allowing for clearer speaking. In some
cases, it will also improve appetite if the excessive tissue was hindrance when
eating.
Labial Frenectomy
The second type of frenectomy is on the labial frenum. It is
much more visible as it’s the skin that’s attached to the middle of your upper
gums. If there’s excess, it will pull your gums away from the bone. This often
causes a gap between the two front teeth along with gum recession. If you’re
undergoing orthodontic treatment, you may be recommended to have a frenectomy
to help close gaps in your smile zone. While denture patients may consider the
procedure to have a more secure fit, as the frenum may rub against the
prosthetic causing discomfort.Am I A Candidate for a Frenectomy?
A frenectomy is a quick procedure that can take as little as
15-minutes to fix a life-long problem. As with any dental treatment, we can
only be sure you’re a candidate based on your unique case. If you’re tongue
tied, feel like your tongue has limited range of motion, getting ready for
orthodontic treatment, or if you have dentures, call for a consultation.
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