A frenulum is a small fold of tissue that connects one part of your mouth to another. In some cases, we may need to remove a frenulum to improve the function and health of your child's smile; this type of treatment is called a frenectomy. The two most common types of frenectomy are lingual frenectomy and labial frenectomy. The lingual frenulum is the frenulum that connects the bottom of your tongue to the floor of the mouth. If this frenulum is abnormally short or thick, it can result in a condition known as ankyloglossia, or tongue tie. This often inhibits your child from chewing, eating, and speaking properly. To alleviate these problems, our friendly pediatric dentists may recommend frenectomy. A labial frenectomy is used to remove the frenulum that attaches the top lip to your gums above your front teeth. In some cases, this frenulum can cause recession of the gums, contribute to a gap between the upper front teeth, or cause problems for denture wearers.

The frenectomy process is simple and quick. Our pediatric dentists can typically complete the removal of a frenulum in just one visit to our office, and we will ensure that your child is comfortable during the entire treatment. We will also provide you with care instructions so you can take care of your child's smile as it heals. We welcome you to call us today for more information and to schedule your child's next appointment.