Lingual Frenectomy

The frenum is a very small, soft piece of tissue located in two places in your oral cavity. The labial frenum is found on the roof of your mouth between your upper lip and your two front teeth. The lingual frenum is a small piece of tissue attached to your tongue and the floor of your mouth. The purpose of the lingual frenum is to help control your tongue, your speech, and your swallowing abilities. A lingual frenectomy is an easy and simple surgery on this small piece of tissue if it is either malformed or damaged from an accident.

Why Have a Lingual Frenectomy?

The term tongue-tied refers to problems with the lingual frenum. You might have some speaking difficulties with the pronunciation of certain words or syllables. Swallowing could be difficult, as well as both chewing and eating difficulties. Sometimes an infant might need to have a lingual frenectomy because of difficulty with breastfeeding. It might result in jaw protrusion, bad breath, and even an unnatural cosmetic appearance.

The Lingual Frenectomy Procedure

There are three different methods available today to perform a lingual frenectomy. The first is the traditional method. After a local anesthesia has been applied, a small scalpel or knife will be used to remove the excessive tissue. Dissolvable sutures might be used to mend the small surgical site. There is minimal blood loss with the procedure. The second approach is that of laser surgery. With no blood loss and sometimes even no anesthesia, this method is extremely precise and coagulates the blood at the incision, requiring no sutures. The third method is using a heated electrode. This treatment burns excessive tissue and involves no blood loss or sutures as well.

The Post-Operative Recovery Time

Prior to starting the frenectomy procedure, confirm with your dentist or oral surgeon that they know of your medical history. They need to know of any allergies you have or medications you currently take. It is important for them to know about high blood pressure, any chest pain, or bleeding disorders. The simple procedure itself only takes between 30 minutes and an hour. The recovery instructions that you will be sent home with are common-sense suggestions. If you practice good oral hygiene in the days to follow, you may be completely healed within a week. Some unusual small side effects may sometimes lead to minor excessive bleeding, bruising around the surgical site, slightly swollen lips or gums, or your tongue may be slightly restricted in its movement for a brief time, or an infection at the site. Ice packs can improve the healing process. Saltwater rinses for several days can help, as well as an over-the-counter pain reliever. You will need to pay attention to a balanced diet. You should consider softer foods as well as foods that are not hot and spicy. Also, you need to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth clean to prevent any infection. After healing, you will enjoy the healthy results of your lingual frenectomy. Something so small and simple can make such a big difference in your daily lifestyle. If you suffer from any speech issues or have some swallowing problems, bring them to the attention of your dentist on your next visit.

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