Frenectomy is a minor surgical operation that lengthens a short frenum of the lip or tongue. It is done at the dental clinic under local anaesthesia, with a scalpel or a laser, takes little time, and the wound heals in about 5–7 days.
What is a frenum?
The frenum is a small fold of mucosa that connects the inner side of the upper and lower lip to the gum in the area between the two upper or lower teeth of the respective jaw. There is also a frenum that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth – it is called the lingual frenum.
When is a frenectomy needed?
In some cases patients are born with high-attached or shorter-than-normal frenula. They can lead to:
- a gap between the two central incisors (diastema);
- recession of the gum around the necks of the central incisors (gingival recession);
- with a short or low-attached frenum of the tongue – problems with speech, eating and normal movement of the tongue.
What is a frenectomy?
The procedure is used both for the frenum of the tongue and for the frenula of the lips. It consists of lengthening the short frenum by removing part of it at a precisely determined place.
How is a frenectomy done?
The procedure is a minor surgical operation, carried out under local anaesthesia using a scalpel or a laser:
- with a frenectomy done with a scalpel, a suture is placed at the site of the surgical wound;
- with a laser frenectomy a suture is not necessary.
A frenectomy is performed in the dental clinic, takes little time, and the period for full healing of the wound is about 5–7 days.
Frequently asked questions
What is a frenectomy?
A minor surgical operation in which a short frenum is lengthened by removing part of it at a precisely determined place. It is used for the frenum of the tongue and for the frenula of the lips.
What problems can a short frenum cause?
A gap between the two central incisors (diastema), recession of the gum around the necks of the central incisors (gingival recession) and – with a short or low-attached frenum of the tongue – problems with speech, eating and movement of the tongue.
Is a frenectomy done with a scalpel or a laser?
Under local anaesthesia, using a scalpel or a laser. After an operation with a scalpel a suture is placed, while with a laser frenectomy it is not necessary.
How long does the wound take to heal?
The period for full healing of the surgical wound is about 5–7 days.