When is a frenectomy necessary?

In infants, an elongated tongue-tie can make it difficult to breastfeed or adequately bottle-feed. A child with this condition is often called a “tongue lock.” If the abnormality is not corrected until the patient has reached the age of infancy, parents and caregivers may notice that the affected child has more difficulty speaking than her peers. The pediatrician or dentist does not always detect this condition during routine check-ups. In fact, it may first be noticed when the child enters preschool or elementary school. A child with an elongated frenulum may not be able to extend the tongue as would be considered normal. In extreme cases, the child may even experience difficulties and discomfort when swallowing. Fortunately,

In the case of an extended maxillary labial frenulum, the concern is the possibility of orthodontic problems. If the frenulum extends too close to the gum line, it can interfere with the proper growth and spacing of the two upper front teeth. This results in the development of a large gap between these two teeth. Although many parents may be concerned about this space from a cosmetic perspective, believing it to signal the need for orthodontic appliances, it is generally recommended that orthodontic procedures be delayed until after the child’s permanent teeth have erupted. If, after bracket placement, the gap between two permanent teeth persists, labial frenectomy should be considered as a solution to abnormal spacing. In many cases,

Carrying out the intervention

If you or your child are found to be suffering from the undesirable side effects of a lengthened frenulum, a frenectomy may be recommended as a permanent solution. Your oral surgeon will evaluate the frenulum or frenulum in question to determine if intervention is necessary. Generally, unless the existing tie is causing a problem with feeding, such as breastfeeding in infants and young children, or is complicating speech, more natural and non-invasive approaches are considered first.

 The entire intervention usually lasts between 10 and 15 minutes. Recovery is considered complete in a matter of two weeks, during which the patient is usually given analgesic medication to relieve pain at the site of the intervention. Proper aftercare procedures, including keeping the area clean and avoiding unnecessary movement of the tongue, are explained to the patient before leaving the Dental Office.