Laser Frenectomy

Chances are unless you or your child needs a frenectomy, you have probably never heard of it. A frenectomy is the surgical removal of your frenum, a muscular attachment that holds two different areas of your tissue together. You have two frena in your mouth that could create a potential problem.

The first one attaches your tongue to the floor of your mouth. This frenum can cause problems with your speech and ability to pronounce certain words. The second one attaches the inside of your upper lip to your gums between your two front teeth. This frenum can create a gap between your two front teeth.

In the past, traditional surgery was the only solution. Lasers have improved treatments for these conditions dramatically by cutting down on healing time, pain, and bleeding. Overall, lasers make this a much easier experience for our patients.

By detaching the frena, you can achieve normal function and growth. Because Dr. Yates is highly skilled and talented when it comes to frenectomies, your laser treatment will be gentle and easy.

When is a Frenectomy Appropriate?

An overly large labial frenum can affect dental alignment, causing a gap to appear between the two front teeth. In more severe cases, this tissue can cause pain in the upper lip and gums, and limit movement. Excess tissue can also affect the fit of dentures. A labial frenectomy can reduce discomfort, improve overall aesthetics, and stabilize dentures.

A tight lingual frenum can restrict tongue movement, making it difficult for babies with this condition to breastfeed. Older children with a tight lingual frenum can experience a condition known as “tongue-tie.” This can make certain sounds hard to pronounce, especially ‘d,’ ‘l,’ ‘s,’ ‘t,’ and ‘th.’ If your child is tongue-tied, it is important to address the condition quickly before irregular speech patterns set in. It can sometimes be difficult to detect a tight frenum yourself, but you can ask your dentist or physician to evaluate your child’s smile.

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