Frenectomy
A frenum is a piece of tissue that prevents an organ from moving. There is a frenum that attaches your upper lip to the gums, while another connects the lower lip to the gums. A frenum that is too short or thick, will cause problems in speech patterns and tooth misalignment. In infants, a shortened frenum underneath the tongue will inhibit breastfeeding. When the frenum disrupts movement, growth, or development, corrective action is necessary to resolve the situation.
A frenectomy is a minor surgical procedure that is performed in your dentist’s office. It can be performed with a scalpel and takes less than 15 minutes. Children and adults have the procedure performed using local anesthesia. If your child needs a frenectomy, there is nothing to worry about. The procedure is very successful and causes minimal discomfort.