FrenectomiesIn Chester, NJ
For some kids and adults, smiling, speaking, and drinking can be restricting. Typically, this is due to an overdeveloped frenum, also known as a lip and tongue tie. Lip and tongue restrictions hinder the ability to move the mouth freely, causing a major interference with living and smiling to the fullest.
Why is a frenectomy needed?
If you or your child require a frenectomy, you probably have some questions. Surgical procedures typically sound extreme but don’t fret - frenectomies are simple, safe, and most importantly, minimally invasive. Our doctor only recommends them when absolutely necessary. For example, when a lip or tongue tie is causing restriction in the mouth, preventing the ability to speak, eat, and smile freely. If you or your child have been struggling with any of these issues, give us a call! It’s never too late to get the treatment needed to help you or your child live and smile without limits.
The Benefits of Frenectomies
Enhance Self-Esteem
Lip or tongue ties can cause gaps in the teeth and gum recession. These not only cause discomfort but can lower self-esteem. With a frenectomy, we can boost you or your child’s smile confidence.
Fix Speech Impediments
Frenectomy treatment will free the tongue and help treat speech impediments due to limited tongue movement.
Improve Eating & Appetite
Releasing frenum restriction and increasing tongue and mouth movement will improve you or your child's eating habits, ultimately increasing overall appetite and enjoyment of food.
The Frenectomy Process
Initial Consultation
A consultation is necessary to determine if you or your child require a frenectomy. We will discuss your experiences and conduct a thorough exam to check for a lip or tongue tie. If a lip or tongue tie is found, we’ll schedule the surgery. To begin the surgery, we may use sedation to ensure you or your child feels absolutely no pain or discomfort throughout the procedure.
Releasing the Tissue
There are many tools that can be used to snip the frenulum, such as lasers or scissors. We will go over the options during the consultation. Laser treatment is a quick, minimally invasive, and pain-free procedure. But either way, the frenulum will be snipped in a matter of seconds. A laser minimizes bleeding and discomfort while encouraging faster healing.
Aftercare & Healing
With a laser frenectomy, there is no need for stitches or sutures. With scissors, we will patch the site and give you pain medication for comfort. Proper aftercare includes cleaning the treatment site at least twice per day. Our team may also recommend tongue or lip stretches to ensure that the frenulum heals appropriately and does not reattach.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
Tongue and lip ties are known as “tethered oral tissues” or TOTs. They occur when the bands of tissue that connect the tongue or the lips to the mouth become overdeveloped to the point that proper mouth movement is restricted.Minor tongue and lip ties may not cause eating problems, or contribute to speech impediments.However, serious tongue and lip ties can put a hindrance on you or your child’s wellbeing. For both adults and children, the side effects of not eating or speaking freely can impact self-esteem and getting proper nutrition. Not only that, but it can cause sleep-related problems that contribute to serious health conditions.
Feeding problems are the most common signs of tongue and lip ties. Your child’s lips and tongue need to be able to move properly to latch onto the nipple and stimulate it for proper feeding. If they seem to be having trouble making a proper seal, milk dribbles out from their mouth while feeding, or they frequently stop and start feeding, they may be having latching issues due to tongue or lip ties.You can also look for visual signs of tongue and lip ties. For the lips, you can fold back your child’s upper lip and look at the frenulum. If it is difficult to lift the lip or it seems like your baby is unable to move their upper lip on their own, they may have a lip tie.Signs of tongue ties include an inability for your child to stick their tongue out past their front teeth, or problems moving the tongue from side to side. Tongue ties can also be identified visually. A common sign of tongue ties is a “heart-shaped” tongue. When your child sticks their tongue out, the restriction caused by the tongue tie may cause it to look “notched” or heart-shaped, instead of appearing as a smooth “U” shape.
Frenectomies are one of the least invasive surgical procedures available. Because they are so quick, they are not painful at all. Even so, the mouth will be completely numb throughout the procedure, and we use special tools at our office to eliminate pain and discomfort. With laser dentistry, there is minimal bleeding and it’s virtually pain-free, all while having a speedy, comfortable recovery time.
A frenectomy will typically be covered by dental insurance, so you can get care without worrying about high out-of-pocket expenses. Even if you do not have insurance, the cost of a frenectomy is quite low. Insurance plans vary, so make sure you consult with your dental insurance company to make sure you or your child are covered.
To care for the surgical site, you will need to clean the treatment area twice a day to prevent infection and keep it healthy. We may also recommend some stretches for the tongue and/or lips. These stretches will help ensure that the frenulum heals properly and doesn’t reattach. Follow the instructions given to you and make sure you regularly perform all stretches recommended to you by your dentist to get the best outcome.
