Frenectomy: Enhancing Oral Comfort and Function

A small fold of tissue might not seem like a big deal, but when it restricts movement or affects your oral health, it can lead to long-term discomfort and complications. At Haid Dental in Dublin, OH, Dr. Tara Haid, Dr. R. Michael Emrich, and Dr. Lisa Johnson perform gentle and precise frenectomy procedures to restore healthy function, improve speech, and enhance comfort. Whether you or your child are dealing with a tongue tie or lip tie, this simple surgical procedure can make a noticeable difference in daily life and long-term oral health.

What is a Frenectomy?

A frenectomy is a simple surgical procedure that removes or modifies a small fold of tissue in the mouth called a frenum. The frenum is a thin band of tissue that connects the lips, cheeks, or tongue to the underlying gum area or bone. While most frenums are harmless, an abnormal frenulum, one that's too short, thick, or tight, can limit the natural movement of the lips or tongue and interfere with proper oral function.

Common Reasons Someone Might Need a Frenectomy

A frenectomy procedure is often recommended when the frenum causes physical restrictions or contributes to oral health issues. In infants and young children, a tongue tie or lip tie can cause challenges with feeding and speech development, while in adults, an abnormal frenum can affect tooth alignment, gum health, and even dental implants or orthodontic treatment outcomes.

Some of the most common reasons for performing a frenectomy include:

• Speech difficulties or speech impediments caused by limited tongue or lip movement.
• Gap between the upper front teeth (known as a diastema) related to a tight upper frenum.
• Difficulty eating, swallowing, or moving the tongue, especially in children.
• Chronic gum recession caused by a frenum pulling on the gum tissue near the gum line.
• Interference with orthodontic treatment, particularly when the frenum prevents teeth from moving properly into alignment.
• Discomfort or pain under the tongue or inside the lips due to restricted movement.

At Haid Dental, our dentists assess the severity of the condition and determine whether a frenectomy is the best solution to improve comfort, oral function, and long-term oral health.

What Does a Frenectomy Procedure Involve?

The frenectomy procedure in Dublin, OH, is straightforward and minimally invasive. At Haid Dental, Dr. Haid, Dr. Emrich, and Dr. Johnson use advanced soft tissue laser technology to perform the treatment with precision, minimizing discomfort and reducing recovery time.

Before the procedure begins, the area is numbed with local anesthesia to ensure a comfortable experience. Using the laser, our dentists gently release or reshape the fold of tissue, either the labial frenum near the lips or the lingual frenulum under the tongue. The laser simultaneously seals the gum tissue, which helps reduce bleeding and supports faster healing.

The entire process typically takes only a few minutes. Most patients describe the experience as mild and report only minor discomfort afterward. Because the laser sterilizes the surgical site as it works, there is a much lower risk of infection, and stitches are rarely needed.

Types of Frenectomies

There are several forms of frenectomy, depending on where the abnormal frenum is located and the goal of treatment:

• Lingual Frenectomy (Tongue Tie Release): This procedure aims to improve the range of motion of the tongue, enhancing speech, eating ability, and oral hygiene by allowing the tongue to move freely.
• Labial Frenectomy (Lip Tie Release): Often performed when a labial frenum causes spacing between the front teeth or contributes to gum recession, this surgical procedure helps prevent future tooth alignment issues and improves comfort.
• Maxillary Frenectomy: Focused on the tissue connecting the upper lip and upper front teeth, this treatment reduces tension and allows teeth to naturally close gaps during or after orthodontic treatment.

Each type of frenectomy serves to correct structural restrictions that interfere with oral function, speech, or gum health, helping patients achieve a more balanced, functional smile.

Benefits of a Frenectomy

The benefits of a frenectomy procedure extend well beyond cosmetic improvements. By freeing the tissue that restricts natural movement, patients experience improved comfort, function, and confidence.

Some of the most notable benefits include:

• Improved oral function: Easier speech, chewing, and swallowing due to better tongue movement and flexibility.
• Enhanced speech development: Particularly for older children and adults, resolving speech issues or speech impediments can significantly improve communication.
• Reduced gum recession: By relieving tension at the gum line, the procedure helps protect gum tissues and prevent further gum recession.
• Better orthodontic results: When performed alongside orthodontic treatment, a frenectomy can prevent spacing from recurring between the central incisors.
• Easier oral hygiene: A more natural range of motion of the tongue makes it easier to clean all areas of the oral cavity, promoting better long-term oral health.
• Faster healing and less discomfort: Thanks to modern laser frenectomy technology, the healing process is shorter and more comfortable compared to traditional surgical techniques.

At Haid Dental, Dr. Haid, Dr. Emrich, and Dr. Johnson focus on patient comfort throughout the process, ensuring you receive both functional and aesthetic improvements from this common procedure.

Recovering From Surgery and Aftercare

One of the advantages of a laser frenectomy is the quick and easy recovery period. After the frenectomy procedure, you may experience mild tenderness or swelling in the gum area or under the floor of the mouth, but this typically subsides within a few days.

Most patients can return to their regular routine within 24 hours. To promote faster healing, we recommend:

• Avoiding hard foods or anything that could irritate the surgical site for the first day.
• Maintaining good oral hygiene by gently brushing and rinsing with ounces of warm water and salt.
• Limiting excessive movement of the lips or tongue during the first 24–48 hours.
• Using pain medication or cold compresses if you experience minor discomfort.

In most cases, our Dublin patients experience full recovery within one to two weeks, depending on the type of frenectomy and the severity of the condition. The use of a soft tissue laser not only shortens recovery but also reduces the risk of infection and eliminates the need for sutures.

Are There Alternatives to a Frenectomy Procedure?

In mild cases where the abnormal frenulum causes minimal restriction or discomfort, alternative treatments may be considered. Speech therapy can sometimes help improve tongue movement or speech issues caused by a slight tongue tie. Similarly, some patients with minor spacing between the upper front teeth may benefit from orthodontic treatment alone.

However, for patients whose oral function is significantly affected, a frenectomy remains the most effective and dependable solution. It directly addresses the source of restriction and prevents future oral health issues like gum recession, tooth alignment problems, and difficulty maintaining oral hygiene.

How Frenectomy Improves Oral Health and Quality of Life

The connection between oral health and quality of life is often underestimated. A restricted labial frenum or lingual frenum can limit tongue movement, making everyday tasks like speaking, eating, and swallowing unnecessarily complicated. Over time, this restriction can lead to gum recession, bone loss, or even tooth alignment problems that compromise both comfort and appearance.

By addressing the issue directly with a frenectomy, patients experience improved oral function, enhanced confidence, and a reduced risk of long-term complications. This simple surgical procedure not only enhances comfort but also plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy and balanced oral cavity.

At Haid Dental in Dublin, OH, Dr. Haid, Dr. Emrich, and Dr. Johnson use advanced laser technology and gentle surgical techniques to provide effective results with minimal downtime. Each procedure is tailored to your unique needs, ensuring both functional improvement and a smooth recovery.

Why Choose Haid Dental for Your Frenectomy

Choosing a trusted dental team makes all the difference when it comes to surgical procedures like a frenectomy. At Haid Dental, patient comfort, safety, and long-term oral health are always our top priorities. Our experienced dentists combine skill, technology, and compassion to ensure your frenectomy procedure is quick, precise, and virtually pain-free.

We take time to understand your individual needs, evaluate the structure of your oral cavity, and develop a treatment plan that supports lasting results. Whether it's improving speech development, protecting your gum tissues, or enhancing the success of orthodontic treatment, you can trust our team to deliver care that makes a difference.

A Simple Solution for Better Oral Health

For both children and adults, a frenectomy is often the key to resolving long-term issues that affect oral function, speech, and overall comfort. By addressing the restrictive tissue directly, this common procedure restores balance to the connective tissues and helps preserve the supporting structures of your smile.

If you've noticed signs of tongue or lip restriction, such as difficulty moving the tongue, speaking clearly, or maintaining oral hygiene, it may be time to explore whether a frenectomy can help. At Haid Dental, we make the frenectomy process comfortable and stress-free from start to finish. To learn more about your options or to schedule your consultation, call us at 614-635-9651!