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.
The short answer
A frenectomy is a short procedure that releases a frenum, the small fold of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth or the lip to the gum. The tight band of tissue is released so it no longer restricts how far the tongue can lift and extend, or no longer pulls on the gum at the front of the mouth. It is considered only when the frenum is causing a real functional problem, such as tongue tie or gum recession, and not simply because it is visible.
Frenectomy FAQ
- What is a frenum?
- A frenum is the small fold of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth, or the lip to the gum. Everybody has them, and they are a normal piece of anatomy rather than a defect. Most cause no trouble at all. A frenum only matters when it is short, tight or attached far enough forward to restrict movement or pull on the gum.
- Does a visible frenum need treating?
- No, a frenum that is simply visible does not need treatment. Release is considered only where it is actually restricting movement of the tongue or pulling the gum away from a tooth. That is a question about function rather than appearance. It is answered by examining what the tissue is doing, not by how prominent it looks.
- What are the two types?
- The two types are the lingual frenum, under the tongue, and the labial frenum, between the lip and the gum. A short or far-forward lingual frenum limits how far the tongue can lift or extend, which is the condition usually called tongue tie. A prominent labial frenum can pull on the gum tissue at the front and can sit between the two upper front teeth. Either kind is only treated when it is causing one of these problems.
- Will it help with speech or feeding?
- Whether a frenectomy helps with speech or feeding depends entirely on the individual assessment. Frenectomy is surrounded by strong claims about feeding, speech and tooth position, and a general promise would not be accurate for everyone. The right answer often involves input from other clinicians as well. An examination gives you a direct answer about what applies in your case.
