You can find your frenum in your mouth; it’s the small piece of tissue that connects your upper or lower lip to your gums. There’s another frenum that connects the bottom of the tongue to the back of the lower jaw. Its job is to stabilize and restrict the motion of the lip, cheek, or tongue in relation to the other tissues. Despite its small size, it has a large impact on the movement of the mouth in speech, swallowing, and chewing. If the frenum is too large, too thick, or improperly placed, you can have functional problems and even pain.
If the frenum is too tight under your tongue, then you will not have proper height or forward movement. As a result, speaking and swallowing are more difficult. If the frenum is too close to the gumline, then the resulting pressure on the gums can leave you with a gap in your front teeth that doesn’t close even after orthodontic treatment or pain when brushing your teeth.
The dentist will be able to examine your mouth, review your gum, tongue, and lip movement, and determine if your frenum is obstructing movement. Be sure to share any symptoms you experience with the dentist so they can have the best understanding of your struggles. The dentist may recommend a frenectomy as a part of your treatment plan to remove or modify the restrictive frenum. You may need additional steps like orthodontics as a part of your complete treatment.
A frenectomy is a quick, single-appointment procedure that the dentist will complete in the office. First, you will receive local anesthesia to leave you as comfortable as possible for the removal. The dentist has an option of tools to use that include scalpels or lasers, but every case is unique, and one tool may offer better results for one person while the other option is better for someone else. The end goal of the dentist is to minimize your bleeding and to impact the surrounding tissue as little as possible. You may need to have a few dissolvable stitches placed to encourage healing and prevent the possibility of infection.
After your frenectomy and the anesthesia wears off, you may find that the area of your mouth is a little tender, swollen, or sensitive. Most people report that these symptoms are manageable and are gone within a few days. The area of treatment may also feel mildly tender, swell, or feel sensitive to touch. The dentist will give you post-operative care instructions and suggestions for addressing discomfort as you heal. Many people experience relief from using over-the-counter pain relievers and ice packs. You will want to make sure that you follow the instructions carefully to keep that area clean and that you are doing what you can to promote healing.
As your mouth heals, you should find that moving your lips or tongue becomes easier. If your frenum is pulled on your gums, your gums should be less irritated, and brushing should be less painful. Over time, releasing a limiting frenum may help you have better oral and overall health.
If you have more questions about frenectomies or how a frenectomy could help you achieve better dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see if a frenectomy is the best option for you.