What is a Frenectomy? | Lingual Frenectomy | AAOMS (2024)

FAQs

What is a Frenectomy? | Lingual Frenectomy | AAOMS? ›

A frenectomy is an oral surgery procedure that treats a lip-tie or tongue-tie. It may be used to increase your tongue's range of motion or help close a gap between two teeth. Frenectomy is a simple treatment that offers a wide range of benefits.

Since frenectomies lead to breathing, feeding, and speaking issues, a frenectomy is performed to prevent these issues. Typically, they are done after a child has suffered from difficulties with weight gain or the inability to breastfeed which is causing nipple soreness in the mother.

Not to worry, a labial frenectomy is a quick and pain-free procedure that is done in one visit. Two methods can be used including laser surgery and traditional surgery.

A frenectomy involves completely removing the frenulum, while during a frenotomy, the frenulum is snipped and slightly relocated. Both procedures will require an initial consultation during which the dentist or doctor will inspect the frenulum to see what is the best course of action for treatment.

Despite its effectiveness and low-risk nature, there are some disadvantages of having a frenectomy, which include: Uncontrolled Speech. After a frenectomy, those with tongue tie can find that they have trouble controlling their speech.

At what age should a frenectomy be performed? Each case is different, but the average age at which labial frenectomies are performed is between 8 and 11 years old. Lingual frenectomies are done earlier, as they are performed on babies, sometimes even before they leave the maternity ward.

A frenectomy is often recommended if you have the following: An overgrowth of the frenulum tissue causes speech issues due to restricted tongue movement. Gaps between your front teeth are caused by excessive tension on either side. Gingival (gum) recession along one side due to tension from an overgrown frenulum.

When a labial frenectomy is done before their adult teeth grow in, this eliminates the tension that causes the gap in their teeth. Then, as their adult teeth begin to emerge, they will come out in the proper place and maintain proper spacing, eliminating the gap in your little one's smile.

After a frenectomy procedure, the surgical site will take around 2-3 weeks to heal completely. The doctor recommends safe aftercare instructions, including feeding, pain management, and surgical area cleaning.

A tight frenum makes cleaning the teeth difficult. It can cause oral problems, including speech and eating difficulties, gaps between the front teeth, and speech difficulty. However, getting a frenectomy gives the lips free movement, improving your smile.

Is a frenectomy covered by medical insurance? ›

Coverage depends on the patient's insurance plan, including the plan's guidelines and limitations for the procedure. An insurance plan will usually not consider a claim for reimbursem*nt if your baby is not active on the plan on the date of service.

The amount of tissue being removed, age of the patient, geographic market of the doctor performing the procedure, and method used in surgery can also impact overall cost. Laser surgery is typically more expensive as it requires a greater level of training and expertise than the traditional scalpel method.

It concluded that “a small body of evidence suggests that frenotomy may be associated with improvements in breastfeeding as reported by mothers, and potentially in nipple pain.” Another systematic review of the evidence published in March by the independent, nonprofit Cochrane Collaboration concluded that “surgical ...

Generally, performing a frenectomy before orthodontic treatment is not necessary because braces or Invisalign will still be needed to close the space between the front teeth.

Whether parents opt for surgery or not, children will likely benefit from speech therapy. For kids who have undergone a surgical “tongue clipping” procedure, a speech therapist will: Help develop new muscle movements that can help with enunciation.

Professor Mitch Blair, a consultant and officer for health promotion at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, says tongue-ties used to be routinely snipped, but some doctors now think the risk of infection and tongue damage means babies should be watched, not automatically cut.

Eliminate dry mouth or mouth breathing. Reduce fatigue from sleep apnea or airway obstruction. Decrease snoring. Correct lisping.

There are so many different possible reasons why adults choose to undergo a frenectomy. The frenum is a vital piece of your mouth that helps it move properly. So when your frenum is too tight, tough, short, etc. it makes simple tasks, like chewing or speaking, more challenging.

Qualified practitioners include: Dentists: General dentists, pediatric dentists, and orthodontists may perform frenectomies, particularly those involving the labial frenulum. Periodontists: A periodontist like Dr. Scharf, is specifically trained in all areas of periodontal (gum) and oral tissues.