Frenectomy & Ankyloglossia
A frenectomy is the surgical removal of a frenum, which is a small fold of tissue that secures or restricts the movement of certain organs or parts of the body. At Emigh Dental Care, we perform two types of frenectomies, lingual and maxillary labial. A lingual frenectomy is often performed for the treatment of ankyloglossia or tongue tie. Oftentimes, the frenum can limit the movement of the tongue, which can cause functionality issues such as eating/chewing certain foods and talking. A maxillary labial frenectomy is performed to remove the frenum within the upper lip, which can cause pain, restriction of the upper lip, or a large gap to occur between the two front teeth. This condition can also potentially cause a preexisting gap that was corrected with braces to reoccur. However, thanks to the skill and years of medical experience of our Long Beach Dentists at Emigh Dental Care, a lingual frenectomy and maxillary labial frenectomy can be performed to correct these issues. A frenectomy is a very common treatment for men, women, and children with an ankyloglossia or a maxillary labial frenum. Call our Southern California office today to learn more about how this procedure can help improve this condition.
What to Expect
Prior to the surgical procedure, our dentists will examine the condition to determine the severity of each patient's restriction. In some cases, individuals may only need a minor cut to the frenum to provide optimal movability to the tongue or upper lip. However, in other cases, after the initial incision is made, it will be followed by an additional surgical release of the muscle fibers within the area. Once the frenum and restricting muscle fibers are cut, the incision will be sutured closed. Typically, a frenectomy is performed under a local anesthetic and takes about 15 – 30 minutes.
Treatment Aftercare
After the procedure, tenderness and soreness are common, but pain medication may be prescribed to alleviate the discomfort. It's also essential to keep the sutured area as clean as possible. Therefore, brushing with a soft tooth brush and gently rinsing the mouth with light salt water after every meal is encouraged. These simple actions will help to reduce the risk of potential infection. Depending on the type of stitches used, a follow up appointment may need to be made to remove insoluble stitches. Optimum healing usually takes 1 – 3 weeks.
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Improve Function and Movement
Many men, women, and children today suffer from tongue tie or restriction to their upper lip. However, thanks to the skill of our talented dentists and modern surgical techniques, a frenectomy can be safely and effectively performed to improve your condition. If you are experiencing pain or extreme tongue or upper lip restriction, call Emigh Dental Care today. Our practice can help improve the function and mobility of your tongue or upper lip, which can help to further improve your quality of life.