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Frenectomy for tongue and lip ties in Herriman
A tight band of tissue under the tongue or lip can make talking, eating or cleaning teeth harder. A quick frenectomy can free it for kids and adults.
What is a frenectomy?
A frenulum is the small band of tissue that connects your tongue to the floor of your mouth, or your lip to your gums. When that band is too short or tight, it is called a tie. A frenectomy trims or releases it so the tongue or lip can move more freely.
- Done for both children and adults
- The area is numbed first
- Usually takes 10 to 30 minutes
Signs of a tongue or lip tie
Not every tie causes trouble, and many need no treatment. A frenectomy may help when a tie leads to:
- Speech sounds that are hard to make, like L, R, T or TH
- Trouble moving the tongue up or side to side
- Pain or trouble when eating or swallowing
- A gap between the top front teeth caused by a low lip band
- Gums pulling back from the lower front teeth
- Trouble keeping teeth clean, which can lead to cavities
Your dentist looks at how the tongue and lip move and asks about eating, speech and sleep. For children, input from a speech therapist or pediatrician can help guide the choice. If a release is not needed now, your dentist may just keep an eye on it.
What to expect
- Exam. Your dentist checks the tie and explains whether a release is likely to help and what it will involve.
- Numbing. The area is numbed so the release is comfortable.
- Release. The tight band is trimmed or released. A few small stitches may be placed.
- Home care plan. You leave with simple stretches and care steps to help the area heal with full movement.
Most visits are short, and many people go back to school or work the next day.
Healing and stretches
The area may be sore for a few days, and a white patch often forms as it heals. That is normal. Eat soft foods and drink cool liquids. Take pain medicine as your dentist directs. Do the stretches you are shown, often several times a day for a few weeks. They help keep the tissue from healing too tight again. For speech concerns, working with a speech therapist after the release can help. Most people heal in one to two weeks. Call us if you have a fever, bleeding that will not stop or pain that gets worse.
Cost and insurance
Your cost depends on the care you need and your dental plan. After your exam, we give you an estimate and go over what your insurance is likely to cover before any treatment starts. We work with most major dental plans and accept CareCredit.
FAQ
Questions about frenectomy
What age can a frenectomy be done?
It can be done at almost any age, from young children to adults. The right timing depends on what the tie is affecting. Your dentist will talk with you about whether to treat now or wait.
Will my child's speech change right away?
The tongue moves more freely right after, but speech habits take time to change. Many children do best with speech therapy after the release.
Can a tie grow back?
The tissue can heal tight again if the stretches are skipped. Doing the exercises as shown helps keep the release open.
Do adults ever need a frenectomy?
Yes. Adults may have one to help with gum recession, a denture that will not seat well, a gap between front teeth or jaw and neck tension linked to a tight tongue.
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