Frenectomy
What is a Frenectomy?
A frenectomy is performed to release the tongue or lip for more mobility when the frenulum—the piece of skin attaching it to the gums—is too short. This is especially important for infants to nurse properly (latch on).
Nearly 10% of people have a lip or tongue tie. This condition is formed during early fetal development and can restrict the movement of the tongue. A simple surgical procedure called a frenectomy is used to correct a tongue or lip tie.
Problems With Tongue or Lip Tie
The earliest sign of a tongue or lip tie is a breastfed infant with trouble feeding. The latch is ineffective due to the lip being unable to lift all the way, and drawing out the milk becomes problematic from restricted movement of the tongue. Bottle-fed infants with a tongue tie can also experience ineffective feeding as well, although it is not as common. Fussiness and poor weight gain may be signs of ineffective feeding.
Dental development and speech can be affected by an untreated tongue or lip tie. An undeveloped jaw structure can also occur from the tongue’s inability to rest in its proper position. Breathing issues and the probability of a child requiring braces are also common. Most of the time, a frenectomy procedure offers a safe and recommended treatment for infants, which can correct the present condition and prevent future complications.
Frenectomy Procedure
A frenectomy is a simple, quick, and minimally invasive procedure in which a laser is used to release the tie. After the procedure, the lip and tongue can move freely and normally. Infants undergoing the procedure will not normally receive anesthetic, to allow for feeding immediately following the procedure. For older patients, numbing medication is used.
The affected area will look white and gray after treatment, which is a normal part of healing. Older patients will be provided with stretching exercises. Infants who are treated for a tongue tie will require the parent or caregiver to massage the affected area gently with a clean finger before every feeding for the following week or two. The infant’s latch will need to be retrained to a flipped-out position while feeding.
If you experience anything unusual following the frenectomy procedure, such as prolonged bleeding or signs of infection, please give our office a call. We will make every effort to see you promptly.
Patient Testimonials
Hear from our patients about their experiences with Frenectomy and other procedures.
"Well, in my original consultation, Dr. Nedbalski walked me through the entire procedure. He explained everything he was going to do, so it really put my mind at ease. He’s a very caring, competent oral surgeon. My overall experience at Boulder Oral Surgery was really good. "
"My experience was wonderful. Dr. Nedbalski took the time to explain the procedure, and the procedure was very smooth. This procedure was life-changing! "
"The procedures for each one of my children was really fast. The team was really good—clearly extremely experienced and very reassuring about what the process would look like. "
"he staff was incredibly friendly and comforting. Dr. Luter was very professional. He was kind. He made me feel at ease. He explained everything that he was going to do. "
"The staff here was absolutely excellent. They went above and beyond to let me know the process. Dr. Chai is one of the funniest people I have ever met. He completely put me at ease and he talked me through the entire process. It went incredibly well."
"Dr. Nedbalski is a really nice guy—he has always a smile, he always explains things. I always like him because he has such a warm personality, and you know he’s going to do good work. The procedure I went through was just fine. Recovery was good."
"The office is really warm and inviting, and I had previously had experience there with one of my children, and the people are very friendly. I am really happy with my results. It went well and healed well. "
"Dr. Nedbalski explains them to me very easily, very quickly, and he was very gentle and very kind. Dr. Nedbalski's team is absolutely amazing, and each one knows what they're supposed to do, and they do it well. My experience here was life-changing. "
"Dr. Nedbalski is really an expert at what he does. He's very thorough, he's informative, he's up to date with the most current technologies and processes in the industry, and he's got a great bedside manner. I never felt like I was being treated as a number; I felt like a patient that was really cared for and that he knew me personally."
Building Better Smiles For Boulder
At Boulder Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, our goal is to bring you the best smile possible through exceptional oral surgery services tailored to meet your unique needs. From your first appointment to well after your procedure, we are here to support you on your journey to optimal oral health. We encourage you to reach out to our office to schedule a consultation and discover the life-changing power of oral surgery.