Lingual Frenectomy
What is a frenectomy?
A Lingual Frenectomy is a procedure that treats a “tongue-tie” using a laser light. In your mouth, frena (the plural of frenum) join your tongue to the floor of your mouth. You have multiple frena in your mouth, and they usually don’t cause any issues. However, if a frenum is too short or too tight, it can cause oral health problems and may have a negative impact on speech. In babies, it can cause issues with breastfeeding and swallowing.
During the procedure, the muscle and connective tissue “band” are modified using the laser light to thin or “release” the soft tissues.
What is the purpose of a frenectomy?
There are many reasons why you or your child might need a frenectomy. Your healthcare professional might recommend this procedure to correct a frenum that’s causing:
- A tongue-tie, which limits your tongue’s range of motion.
- Diastema (a gap between your teeth), which may be cosmetically displeasing to some people.
- Pain, swelling or tenderness with brushing or oral care.
Who needs a frenectomy?
Frenectomies are performed on babies who are having feeding issues or if there are speech concerns. For adults, a frenum can be so tight that it pulls your gums away from your teeth or prevents proper tongue movement. A frenectomy frees the band of connective tissue, reducing the risk of gaps and gum recession as well as improving speech, sleeping and swallowing