ADA Accessibility Information
Accessibility

A
A

A

Frenectomy


Child sticking out her tongueInside everyone’s mouth are small ridges of connective tissue known as frenula, or in the singular, the frenulum. You have three frenula in your mouth. You are probably familiar with lingual frenulum because it is easily seen whenever you touch the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth - it is that thin membrane connecting the tongue to the mouth. The labial frenula are where the gums meet the lips, at both the top and bottom. When these frenula are formed incorrectly, Florida Smiles Dental performs what is called a frenectomy to fix this mistake.

The Basics of a Frenectomy


It is not uncommon for one of your frenula to be malformed so that it is too short or is placed incorrectly. A frenectomy can correct this by repositioning it, cutting it, or making another change. Lingual frenectomies, which are more common, are performed on the frenulum under the tongue, while maxillary frenectomies are concerned with your lip frenula. Most frenectomies are performed on very young children, often infants, because a malformed frenula is easy to spot and babies recover faster than adults. Occasionally, though, an event can occur later in life that necessitates a frenectomy.

The Benefits of a Frenectomy


Depending on the severity of the malformed frenulum, everyday activities can be made far more difficult and even painful. A shortened lingual frenulum, for example, can hinder clear speech and impede the development of speech in young children. Issues with the labial frenula can make brushing the incisors very difficult, and may produce gaps between the teeth. Until a frenectomy is performed to repair the frenulum, braces will be unable to make a difference as the problem will continue to reoccur. Other issues can include trouble chewing, breathing, and keeping your teeth, gums, and tongue clean. Often, if a malformed frenula is not corrected gum disease is the consequence as bacteria are able to more easily infest the mouth.

What Is a Frenectomy Like?


Because there is very little to a frenectomy procedure there is little you need to do beforehand, and recovery is negligible. An anesthetic will be given so that there is no discomfort. If the frenectomy is being performed on a child, it may help if you hold them to reduce movement and provide them with supportive comfort. Depending on circumstances, we may use either a scalpel or a special kind of laser designed to be used on soft tissue while minimizing bleeding. This should usually take around a quarter of an hour. You will be able to leave immediately afterward, and most of our patients report that the surgery is so painless it hardly even registers.

Do You Need a Frenectomy?


If you think that one of your frenula may be making it difficult for you to talk or eat, or if it is simply causing discomfort, a frenectomy is a fast and easy procedure that can have big benefits. Call 754-354-0363 to discuss with Florida Smiles Dental how a frenectomy may be able to help you.

Copyright © 2021-2023 Florida Smiles Dental - Dr. Peter Scerbo and WEO Media (Touchpoint Communications LLC). All rights reserved.  Sitemap
Florida Smiles Dental - Dr. Peter Scerbo, 255 SE 14th St. #200, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 \ 754-354-0363 \ floridasmilesdental.com \ 8/25/2023 \ Related Terms: dentist Fort Lauderdale \

What to Expect During a Dental Checkup
What To Do When Experiencing Toothache Late At Night
Facts on Dental Work And Pregnancy
4 Facts About Invisalign That You Did Not Know
What Is The Characteristics Of An Onlay Concept
What is Gum Contouring, and how is it Used to Improve the Appearance of Uneven Gum Line
Effects Of Ill-Fitting Dentures
What Will A Dentist Do During Dental Exams
Dental Trauma
Causes of Tooth Decay
Recovery Tips for Gum Grafting Procedures
Healthy foods for strong teething children
How to Take Care of Your Teeth during Pregnancy
Treatments For Under bites
How To Choose The Best Family Dentist
How To Prevent Dental Emergencies
What Are Digital Impressions?
Now That I Have Received Tooth Fillings, How Long Will They Last?
Options For Replacing a Missing Tooth
Warning Signs of an Impacted Wisdom Tooth
What Affects Wisdom Tooth Recovery
How Long Do I Have To Wear A Nightguard?
How To Find The Right Dentist
Refiling Vs. Removing Damaged Teeth: How To Decide
What are Craniofacial Implants?
What a Dental Cleaning Involves
Signs Your Teeth Might Fall Soon
Secrets of Making Teeth Brushing Easier
Protect Your Gums by Avoiding These Foods
I Have Received Temporary Crowns, So What Is The Aftercare?
How To Fix Teeth Sensitivity
How Often Do You Need a Dental Cleaning?
Best Foods Post Wisdom Teeth Removal
How Periodontal Therapy Improves Your Smile
Manual vs Electric Toothbrush
What is the difference between plaque and tartar?
Teething Tips
Our Pediatric Dentist In Lighthouse Point, Fl, Explains How Mouthguards Protect Your Teeth
How to Choose the Right Dentist
Are Veneers Worth It?
Halloween Tips
Dry Mouth
Why You Should Replace Your Missing Teeth
Medications That May Affect Oral Health
How to Store Your Toothbrush
5 Ways to Get Brighter Teeth
Pregnancy Dental Tips
Overcoming Fear of The Dentist
Christmas Stocking Ideas
Cosmetic Dentist Shares Oral Hygiene Tips
Why Smoking Hurts your Teeth
Summer Snacks
Healthy Food For Teeth
What Causes Chipped Teeth?
Healthy Teeth For Life
Reasons for Bad Breath
Oral Hygiene
Calcium Benefits
Replacing Your Toothbrush
Oral Cancer Screenings
X-rays
Preventing Tooth Decay During Orthodontic Treatment
Checkups For Kids
Which Mouthwash To Use