What is Frenectomy?
Your frenum, also called a frenulum, is the small piece of tissue that connects your cheeks, your tongue, or lips to your gum area. You actually have several frenum’s in your body. The ones that usually require a frenectomy are found inside your mouth.
A frenectomy is a common procedure that is performed to correct issues related to the frenulum. These issues are often diagnosed in children but can also sometimes be found in adults. The frenectomy is quite an easy procedure that simply requires your frenulum to be removed. The most common way to perform this procedure is removal with a scalpel, but we also use a laser to perform this procedure. The makes the procedure quicker, bloodless, and less painful during the healing process.
Nothing but absolute perfection is acceptable at Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry. The entire staff focuses on a warm, patient, and caring experience for your dental care. Every day, every appointment, every procedure, the team concentrates on earning and maintaining your trust. We are proud to work with you and your family, and each team member participates in continuing education to always apply the recent innovative technological advancements in the dental industry. Whether it is a regular checkup exam or a Frenectomy procedure, simply call us at Rock Hill - (803) 324-8141 or Charlotte - (704) 275-3750, and schedule your appointment today. You can easily find us at 1144 India Hook Rd., #D, Rock Hill, SC, 29732 or 3111 Springbank Lane, Ste F, Charlotte, NC 28226.
eddy periodontics & implant dentistry
Our Highly Skilled & Compassionate Team
Our team, led by Dr. Nelson Eddy, a Diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology, and his son, Dr. Joseph Eddy, combines decades of experience with advanced training to provide exceptional care for every patient.
Are You or Your Child a Candidate for a Frenectomy?
There are a few common symptoms you may benefit from a frenectomy:
- Your two front teeth have an enlarged gap between them. Your frenum might have excess tissue that prevented the closure between the teeth.
- The labial frenum is close to the edge of your gum tissue where it will cause tension and gum recession or tissue loss if you do not have it corrected.
- You have a high lingual frenum attachment which restricts your tongue movement which affects your speech, eating and swallowing abilities.
Frenulum problems are most often corrected when you are an infant or a child when you begin showing speech impediments and some feeding issues. It is not uncommon for a child with this issue to reach their adulthood years before having any type of corrective surgery, even though the restricted tongue movement caused them a variety of issues.
Frenectomy For Your Child
Children with an oversized frenum can experience a number of uncomfortable issues, including difficulty with their speech, a condition often called tongue tied. Other issues that can develop include:
- The frenulum getting stuck between their teeth.
- Having difficulty breastfeeding or nursing as an infant.
- Difficulty sticking their tongue out.
- The early recession of gum tissue, which will result in periodontal disease.
Frenectomy For Yourself as an Adult
If you have an oversized frenulum, you could experience a variety of issues, including problems with your speech. Sometimes people who have frenulum issues and limitations with their tongue learn to compensate, despite the challenges they encounter being audible and articulating when speaking at high or low volumes.
A tight frenulum will also make chewing your food difficult, because your tongue is simply unable to move freely. This also can result in difficulty with your swallowing. A frenectomy at Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry can help address this issue and improve your ability to eat.
Additional dental issues may develop if you have improperly sized frenum’s, because the food is unable to move around in the mouth as it should, which limits your ability to clean your molars due to a limited range of motion of your tongue. This will lead to decay over time, as excess food particles become lodged between teeth.
The Frenectomy Procedure
A frenectomy is literally a less invasive procedure than even having a tooth filled. To reduce any discomfort you might feel during the procedure, Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry will start by administering a local anesthetic. When the tissue is numb, we will use either a surgical scalpel or a specialty laser to reduce the tissue and minimize the frenulum. When using the laser, the chances of an infection are minimized as the laser instantly sanitizes the area. This will also help speed up the healing process.
For newborns to continue feeding or nursing properly, they may need a lip tie or tongue tie surgery to free up the lingual frenulum beneath the tongue. Quite often newborns can feed immediately after this procedure, as the recovery happens instantly.
An older child might be given a mild anesthetic before the frenulum treatment. In a severe case, a patient may require a few sutures following the procedure.
The entire procedure usually takes only between 15 and 30 minutes.
The Risks of Not having Frenectomy Treatment
If left untreated, there are a number of issues that Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry have encountered, including the following:
- Inadequate lip seal.
- Chronic mouth breathing.
- Crowded teeth.
- Limited jaw growth.
- Messy eating or improper swallowing.
- Unnecessary speech issues.
- Altered or limited development of dental arches.
- Limited facial muscle movement.
- Deep or over closed bite.
- Nasal sinus congestion or airway constriction.
- Periodontal disease.
Post Procedure Aftercare
There are no specific instructions following the treatment of a frenectomy, although it is important to schedule a follow up appointment with Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry to ensure that the treatment has been indeed successful and is healing properly.
The most important thing you can do is to continue practicing your 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 these preventative practices, the single best thing you can do to continue enjoying your healthy smile is to schedule your regular exams twice a year. This allows the staff at Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry to conduct our routine checkups, to conduct regular cleanings and to track the overall state of your oral health.
Bone Grafting
When teeth are extracted or oral cysts are removed, the underlying jawbone can deteriorate. This can result in a sunken facial appearance and make dental implant placement more difficult. A bone graft is a straightforward procedure that promotes the growth of new bone cells, helping to restore your oral health and prepare you for further treatments.
Learn More
Sedation Dentistry
Patient comfort is a top priority for us. To ensure your procedure is both safe and pain-free, we offer various sedation options. Depending on the specifics of your procedure, we may recommend nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or IV sedation. We hope these options provide you with peace of mind as you prepare for your treatment.
We Offer A
Variety Of Services For All Your Needs
At Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, our goal is to give each patient personalized attention, taking the time to thoroughly understand their needs and concerns. We offer detailed evaluations and comprehensive care to ensure our patients leave feeling positive and in excellent oral health. Explore the treatments we offer to learn more.
Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry Earns Your Trust with Our Warm and Caring Focus
Our team is methodical in our approach, concentrating on your well-being through your procedure and your daily life. We appreciate the anxiety and apprehension that often comes with dental care, and therefore we take the time and effort necessary to make you comfortable throughout. Call us today at Rock Hill - (803) 324-8141 or Charlotte - (704) 275-3750 with any questions you may have or to schedule a Dental Implant restoration, and we look forward to seeing you at 1144 India Hook Rd., #D, Rock Hill, SC, 29732 or 3111 Springbank Lane, Ste F, Charlotte, NC 28226.