Frenectomy / Tongue tie
Rockwall & Paris, Texas
Inside the mouth are small folds of tissue called frena, or frenula. These tissues help connect areas of the mouth while also helping control movement. Two of the most familiar are the lingual frenum, located beneath the tongue, and the labial frenum, which connects the inside of the lip to the gums.
When a frenum is unusually tight, thick, or restrictive, it can interfere with normal movement and contribute to a variety of concerns. Depending on its location and severity, a restrictive frenum may contribute to difficulty with speech or eating, as well as pulling on the gum tissue around nearby teeth. A frenectomy is a relatively simple procedure that releases or removes a portion of the restrictive tissue to improve movement and reduce tension. The procedure can be performed at different ages, including during childhood when appropriate.
At Northeast Texas Periodontal Specialists, we are committed to providing children with attentive, gentle care while keeping them as comfortable as possible. During your child’s initial examination, you are welcome to remain in the room while we perform our evaluation. If a frenectomy is recommended, we will explain the procedure in a reassuring, easy-to-understand way and answer any questions you or your child may have.
Sedation may also be available for children who could benefit from additional help remaining relaxed and comfortable during treatment. We are happy to discuss this option with you and determine whether it may be appropriate for your child.
Tongue Tied?
Common Signs of ankyloglossia
When the frenulum is too tight, thick, or short, tongue-tie (also known as ankyloglossia) there are several different issues that may occur as a result of the tongue’s range of motion being restricted. Among newborns, the most significant issue is difficulty nursing. If your newborn is not able to keep their tongue over their lower gum, they will be unable to properly suckle at the nipple and will instead chew, which can be very uncomfortable for the mother, to the point where nursing may be avoided entirely, which results in your child not receiving proper nutrition. Fortunately, the frenulum has very few nerve endings or blood vessels, which means a frenectomy can be performed and cause very little discomfort. Following a frenectomy, most newborns' ability to nurse will be restored right away.
If the frenum is not corrected early on, additional issues can develop later in life, such as poor hygiene due to the tighter frenulum inhibiting your ability to brush properly, which in turn can lead to tooth decay and gingivitis. Difficulty with speech is also common among individuals with tongue-tie. In particular, the following letters and sounds can be difficult to enunciate for an individual with tongue-tie: “a,” “d,” “z,” “t,” “i,” “r,” and “th”. A strong or tight frenulum can also inhibit activities like kissing, licking one’s lips, or playing a wind instrument.
Post Operative Care
For Older Patients
A follow-up post-surgery check will likely be recommended following a frenectomy performed on most patients. During the time between these appointments, it is important to follow good aftercare instructions to avoid complications and have a fast recovery.
- Apply a dampened gauze with good pressure for 20-30 minutes. If bleeding persists, replace with a new dampened gauze and repeat every hour as needed until bleeding stops.
- You can eat after the bleeding has stopped, but avoid citrus foods and foods that are sharp, spicy, or too cold or hot.
- Pain-relief medication can help alleviate discomfort
- Intermittent ice pack therapy can reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort
- Take antibiotics as prescribed
- Do not smoke, suck through a straw, or spit for 48 hours
- Stay hydrated, but avoid liquids with caffeine
- Saltwater rinse or use of the recommended rinse or gel three or four times daily following your procedure until the surgical area has completely healed
- If dissolvable sutures are used, do not irritate the surgical site by picking or prodding at them. Dissolvable sutures typically take 3-4 weeks to dissolve.
Frenectomy
Costs Associated
The cost of the frenectomy procedure will largely depend on whether it can be performed in one visit (which is usually the case) and whether dental sedation is necessary. It is also important to factor in the cost of the initial visit and any follow-up appointments that may be necessary.
For patients who are covered under a dental insurance plan, although we are not in-network, we will gladly help prepare and file your claim to ensure you receive your maximum reimbursement. Payment is due in full on the day of treatment. We accept cash, check, Visa, Discover, Mastercard, and American Express. If you are concerned about the cost of receiving treatment, please know that we offer our patients Compassionate Finance, which offers a variety of payment solutions with fixed interest rates and manageable monthly payments, and CareCredit®, which offers 24-month payment plans with zero interest, as well as low-interest financing for 24-60 months.
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