Is your child's tongue-tie or lip-tie affecting their ability to eat or speak? Visit our Red Deer dental clinic for a routine frenectomy.

 

Tongue-tie is a condition in which a person's lingual frenulum is too short or tight, typically affecting newborns and their ability to breastfeed. Individuals with tongue-tie may experience difficulties with speech and pronunciation or struggle to protrude their tongue. 

​

Frenectomies are a type of oral surgery that involves the removal of the frenum, a thin band of tissue in the mouth. Normally, the frenum attaches the upper and lower lips to the gums, cheeks and other structures like the tongue. In some cases, however, the frenum can be too tight or too thick, causing discomfort and difficulty with speech and eating. This is when a frenectomy is necessary.

​

The most common type of frenectomy is a labial frenectomy, which involves cutting away some of the muscle that binds together the upper lip with the gums. It may also include a portion of muscle from between the front teeth on either side, as well as any excess gum tissue. The goal is to reduce tension in these tissues so that they move more freely and with less resistance during speech or eating.

​

Another common type of frenectomy is the lingual frenectomy, which targets muscle tissue between two adjacent lower front teeth or between an upper or lower molar on either side. Similar to labial frenectomies, this procedure reduces tension, thereby allowing normal movement without obstruction or discomfort.

​

In both labial and lingual frenectomies, doctors typically perform laser surgery to cut away only what’s necessary while minimizing bleeding and post-surgical pain afterwards. Recovery time after such procedures varies among patients but typically lasts only a few days, after which full functionality returns and pain subsides completely.

​

Frenectomies are generally successful for treating issues caused by tight or thick bands of muscle in the mouth; however, it’s important to note that any surgical scarring may be permanent and should be considered before proceeding with treatment.

​

Although Frenectomy is a straightforward procedure, it requires precision due to the area's sensitivity.

​

For all your family dental needs, visit 22nd at Taylor Dental Clinic! From dental cleanings to root canals, we do it all.

​