Advanced Dentistry

Frenectomy

Your frenum, also called the frenulum, is the small piece of tissue that connects your cheeks, tongue, or lips to your gums. You actually have several frenum’s in your body. The one that usually require a frenectomy is the one inside your mouth.

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Frenectomy is a simple procedure to correct problems related to the frenulum

Frenectomy

Your frenum, also called the frenulum, is the small piece of tissue that connects your cheeks, tongue, or lips to your gums. You actually have several frenum’s in your body. The one that usually require a frenectomy is the one inside your mouth.

A frenectomy is a common and simple procedure that is performed to correct any problems related to the frenulum. These issues are more often diagnosed in younger children but can still be found in adults. The frenectomy is an easy procedure that requires your frenulum to be removed. The most common way to perform this is by removing the frenulum with a scalpel, but Traynor Periodontics & Implants also uses a laser to perform this procedure. This now makes the procedure quicker, bloodless, and less painful during healing.

Traynor Periodontics & Implants provides a variety of surgical and non-surgical services for the treatment of periodontal issues. We are well-known for our excellent communication style and warm presence. We are extremely effective with all clinical practices due to our consistent engagement with the innovative, technological improvements in the dental industry. We pride ourselves on the fact that we are very conservative in our treatment recommendations and limit surgery to the areas where it is absolutely necessary. Call Traynor Periodontics & Implants at 203-661-5885 with any questions or to make an appointment to research a possible frenectomy.

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Are You or Your Child a Candidate?

Are You a Candidate for a Frenectomy?

There are a few common indicators you may benefit from a frenectomy:

  • Your two upper front teeth have a large gap between them. Your frenum could have excess tissue that prevents the closure between the teeth.
  • The position of your labial frenum is close to your gum tissue where it will cause tension, causing gum recession or tissue loss if you do not correct it.
  • You have a high lingual frenum attachment which now restricts your tongue movement which affects your normal speech, eating and swallowing abilities.

Frenulum problems are most often corrected as a baby or a child when you first begin showing feeding issues and speech impediments. It is not unusual for children with this issue to reach adulthood before receiving any corrective surgery, even though the restricted tongue movement caused an assortment of problems.

A child with an oversized frenum can experience uncomfortable issues

Frenectomy For Your Child

A child with an oversized frenum can experience a number of uncomfortable issues, including difficulty with speaking, a condition often called "tongue tied." Other issues we see at Traynor Periodontics & Implants include:

  • The frenulum getting stuck between teeth.
  • Difficulty nursing or breastfeeding as an infant.
  • Difficulty sticking out tongue.
  • An early recession of gums, which will result in periodontal disease.

If you have an over-sized frenulum, you could experience a range of issues

Frenectomy for Adults

If you have an over-sized frenulum, you could experience a range of issues, including problems with your speech. Sometimes people who have frenulum issues will learn to compensate, despite the challenges they face. A tight frenulum will make the process of chewing your food difficult, because your tongue is unable to move freely inside of your mouth. This can also cause a difficulty with your swallowing. A frenectomy at Traynor Periodontics & Implants will address this issue and improve your ability to eat. Additional dental issues can develop if you have an improperly sized frenum. Since the food is unable to move around in the mouth as it should, which now limits your ability to clean your molars because of a limited range of motion with your tongue. This leads to decay over time, with food particles becoming lodged between teeth.

A frenectomy is less invasive procedure than just having a tooth filled

The Frenectomy Procedure

A frenectomy is less invasive procedure than just having a tooth filled. To still reduce any discomfort during the procedure, Traynor Periodontics & Implants will start by administering a local anesthetic. Once the tissue is numb, we will either use a surgical scalpel or a specialty laser to simply reduce the tissue and minimize your discomfort. The laser reduces the chances of an infection as the laser instantly sanitizes the area. This also speeds the healing process. For newborns to feed or nurse properly, they might need a lip tie or tongue tie surgery to free the lingual frenulum underneath the tongue. Newborns can feed immediately after the procedure, as the recovery happens immediately. Older children can be given a mild anesthetic before the frenulum treatment. In severe cases, the patient might require a few sutures following the procedure. The entire process usually takes only 15 to 30 minutes.

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Risks Associated

Risks of Not having Frenectomy Treatment

If left untreated, there are a number of issues that can occur, including the following:

  • Inadequate lip seal.
  • Chronic mouth breathing.
  • Crowded teeth.
  • Limited jaw growth.
  • Messy eating and improper swallowing.
  • Unnecessary speech issues.
  • Altered development of dental arches.
  • Limited facial muscle movement.
  • A deep or an over-closed bite.
  • Nasal sinus congestion or airway constriction.
  • Periodontal disease.

it is important to schedule a follow up appointment

Post Procedure Aftercare

There are no specific instructions after the treatment of a frenectomy, although it is important to schedule a follow up appointment at Traynor Periodontics & Implants to confirm that the treatment has been successful and is healing properly.

The most important thing to do is to continue practicing good oral hygiene habits. Continue brushing your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes each time and flossing once a day. In addition to your preventative practices, the next best thing to continue enjoying your healthy smile is to schedule regular visits twice a year. This allows your team at Traynor Periodontics & Implants to perform routine exams, to conduct deep cleanings, and to monitor the overall state of your oral health.

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Personalized Care for

Your
Unique Needs

We recognize that every patient is different, with unique oral health needs and goals. That is why we take a personalized approach to care, tailoring our treatment plans to your specific situation. Dr. Traynor will work closely with you to develop a plan that addresses your concerns and helps you achieve your desired outcomes.

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Treatment Plans for You

Our mission at Traynor Periodontics & Implants is to help patients live healthier lives. We provide a caring, nurturing environment where your comfort and health are of primary importance. We feel we are the best in our field. From complex periodontal surgery to less invasive therapeutic treatments, we create sophisticated treatment plans customized to your unique needs. Experience next-level care and exceptional results in our state-of-the-art facility. Efficient and courteous, our remarkable staff is committed to providing you with outstanding care. We blend our world-class specialty education with ongoing research and clinical endeavors to provide the highest level of periodontal solutions to each and every patient. You can find Traynor Periodontics & Implants at 15 Valley Drive, Suite 302, Greenwich, CT. Or call us today at 203-661-5885.

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Traynor Periodontics & Implants

Discover exceptional care and tailored treatment plans at Traynor Periodontics & Implants. Achieve a balanced, beautiful smile with our advanced procedures and expert team.