Oral Surgery
Frenectomy in Downtown Los Angeles
A small band of tissue, occasionally in the wrong place.
A frenum is the fold of tissue that tethers the tongue to the floor of the mouth, or the lip to the gum. Most cause no trouble at all. Where one is tight enough to matter, releasing it is a short procedure — and Smile LA Downtown Modern Dentistry will tell you honestly whether yours is one that matters.
Where they are
The two kinds
A frenum is the small fold of tissue that tethers the tongue to the floor of the mouth, or the lip to the gum. Everybody has them, and most cause no trouble at all — they are a normal piece of anatomy rather than a defect waiting to be found. A frenum only matters when it is short enough, tight enough, or attached far enough forward to restrict something: how far the tongue can lift and extend, or how the gum sits at the front. That is a question about function rather than appearance, and it is answered by examining what the tissue is actually doing, not by how prominent it looks. Where release is appropriate, it is a short procedure.
- Lingual frenum Under the tongue. When it is short or attached far forward, it limits how far the tongue can lift or extend — the condition usually called tongue tie.
- Labial frenum Between the lip and the gum. A prominent one can pull on the gum tissue at the front, and can sit between the two upper front teeth.
When to release
When release is considered
Only when the frenum is actually causing a problem — restricted tongue movement, or tension pulling the gum away from a tooth. A frenum that is simply visible is not a reason to treat it.
- Restricted movement Where the tongue cannot reach where it needs to.
- Pull on the gum Where the tension contributes to recession at a front tooth. Related: soft tissue grafts.
- Alongside other treatment Sometimes considered in the context of orthodontic or restorative plans.
What we have deliberately not claimed
Frenectomy is a procedure surrounded by strong claims about feeding, speech and tooth position. What is appropriate depends on the individual assessment, and often on other clinicians’ input as well. We would rather examine and tell you what applies to you than publish a general promise. Bring the question and you will get a direct answer.
Related
Gingivectomy and gum contouring for other soft tissue procedures, and clear aligners where tooth position is the concern.
Frenectomy FAQ
- What is a frenum?
- The small fold of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth, or the lip to the gum.
- Does a visible frenum need treating?
- No. Release is considered only where it is actually restricting movement or pulling on the gum tissue.
- What are the two types?
- Lingual, under the tongue, and labial, between the lip and the gum.
- Will it help with speech or feeding?
- That depends entirely on the individual assessment, and often on input from other clinicians. We would rather examine and give you a direct answer than a general one.
