While you may have never heard of a frenectomy, it is a fairly common procedure that helps in all sorts of situations. The frenum, or frenulum, is the small band of tissue that connects the upper lip to the front of your gums and the bottom of your mouth to the underside of your tongue. When the frenum is too short or tight, it can interfere with orthodontics, obstruct dentures, and impede speech. In these situations, our dentists will perform this simple procedure to remove the frenum and free up movement. At Derby Family Dentistry, a frenectomy is a very common procedure that our dentists can use to help both children and adults.
Labial Frenectomy
A frenectomy that corrects the frenum inside the middle of upper lip is called labial frenectomy. This is often used to ensure properly fitting dentures, but it can also make way for orthodontics.
Lingual Frenectomy
When the frenum that holds the tongue to the base of the mouth is too short and thick, it often results in a condition called ankyloglossia, which may affect speech and eating. Our dentists will perform a lingual frenectomy to free the tongue and alleviate any other issues.
In most cases, a frenectomy in Derby, Kansas, is a quick, low-risk procedure that will be performed in our office. Very rarely, the frenum will reconnect and you will need to return for an additional procedure.
If you would like to learn more about frenectomies, we would love to hear from you. Call or stop by Derby Family Dentistry so we can schedule a consultation with our wonderful dentists, Dr. Stark and Dr. Norden.