Frenectomy Specialist in Dallas, TX

In oral surgery, a frenectomy is used to treat tongue-tie or lip-tie. This procedure involves the removal or modification of a frenum (also called frenulum) – a band of connective tissue that connects two areas. Frena connects your lips to your gums or your tongue to the floor of your mouth.
 
The mouth contains multiple frena. In most cases, they don’t cause any problems. The frenum may cause oral health problems if it is too short or too tight, and it may affect speech as well. Breastfeeding and swallowing can be affected in babies.

Infants with an elongated lingual frenum may have difficulty nursing or feeding from a bottle. If the abnormality is not corrected until the child reaches the toddler years, parents and caregivers may notice that the child has a more difficult time speaking than his peers. A pediatrician or general dentist may not detect the condition during routine checkups.
 
Children may first notice it when they enter pre-kindergarten or elementary school. When the frenum is elongated, a child may not be able to extend the tongue normally. It may even be difficult and uncomfortable for the child to swallow in extreme cases. Within the first few weeks of birth, a typical frenectomy can be performed quickly and painlessly.
 
Extending the maxillary labial frenum can cause orthodontic problems. Having a frenum that extends too far below the gum line can interfere with proper tooth growth and spacing. The result is a large gap between the teeth.
 
The gap may cause some parents to worry that their child needs braces, but orthodontic procedures should generally be delayed until their permanent teeth have emerged.
 
An abnormal spacing between two permanent teeth can be corrected with a labial frenectomy even after braces have been placed. As adult teeth emerge and grow, the gap caused by the labial frenum’s length is sometimes naturally closed.

Two types of frenectomies vary in how the procedure is performed and are selected based on the specific problem area. A tissue removal frenectomy corrects a dysfunctional frenum by removing unwanted tissues. A frenectomy usually involves reducing a frenum that is too short or tight. During a lingual frenectomy, tissue from under the tongue would be removed.

Dr. Cory DDS will review your health history before your frenectomy. Additionally, they will discuss the need for sedation and sedation options, such as oral sedation, nitrous oxide, or IV sedation. A frenectomy doesn’t always require sedation. Whether it’s right for you or your child will be determined by your healthcare provider.
 
The frenulum is removed from infants using scissors. It usually only takes a few minutes. Your healthcare provider may use local anesthesia to numb the tissue around the frenum in older children and adults. They will use a scalpel or surgical scissors to remove or modify your frenum once you’re comfortable. An incision may need to be closed with sutures in some cases. The procedure usually takes 30 minutes or less.
 
Detailed postoperative instructions will be provided by Dr. Cory, DDS after your frenectomy. Infants can usually resume feeding immediately without any further care. Pain relievers and antibacterial mouthwashes may be needed to manage discomfort and oral health. It may be necessary for your healthcare provider to monitor your healing in a week or two.
 
Frenectomy surgery provides several benefits such as improving speech problems resulting from tongue-tie, enhancing dental appearance by eliminating gaps in the teeth, and reducing the risk of several oral health problems such as gum disease and tooth decay. For infants, it improves breastfeeding problems.
 
Beyond Dental & Implant Center can perform frenectomies on patients of any age to stop symptoms and discomfort, improve overall oral health, and give patients the full and healthy smile they desire for their children or themselves. We serve patients from Dallas TX, Plano TX, Addison TX, Garland TX, Richardson TX, Carrollton TX, and BEYOND!