Frenectomy in Simi Valley

A frenectomy is a procedure that involves the removal of one or more frena from the mouth. The frenum is a connective tissue membrane, which attaches one surface of the mouth to another. Frenectomy procedures are quite common, especially for infants. 

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What is a Frenum?

There are three primary frena in the mouth, which are:

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• Lingual Frenum: Vertical band of tissue that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth.
• Labial Frenum: The webbing that attaches the lips to the gum above the top two front teeth and underneath the bottom two front teeth.
• Buccal Frenum: The thin strands of tissue that connect the gums to the inside of the cheeks. 

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For infants, an elongated lingual frenum can make it difficult to nurse or drink from a bottle. When a child has an elongated lingual frenum, it is often referred to as being “tongue-tied.” If left untreated and the child goes into his toddler years with this condition, parents may notice that the child has difficulty with speaking. It is important to note that pediatricians and dentists do not always detect this condition during routine checkups and it may even be noticed later when they are in pre-kindergarten or elementary school. 

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When a child has an elongated frenum, he may not be able to extend the tongue as much as one normally would be able to. When cases are more severe, the child may find it difficult to swallow, as there may be some discomfort. Luckily, frenectomy procedures can be performed quickly and efficiently with minimal pain during the first few weeks of an infant’s birth. 

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As for maxillary labial frenums, this can potentially lead to orthodontic issues. When a labial frenum extends too far down to the gum line, it can result in issues with proper growth and spacing of the upper two front teeth. This can cause a huge gap between the two teeth; however, it is recommended that the child does not get braces until his permanent teeth have emerged. However, if the gap remains by the time the permanent teeth emerge, then labial frenectomy may be necessary to fix the abnormal spacing. 

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The Procedure

If you or your child suffer from an elongated frenulum, it is important to seek help from a reputable oral surgeon in Simi Valley. At Simi Valley Periodontics, our team specializes in frenectomy procedures for both children and adults, providing them with the absolute best results that are permanent. Our team will assess the frenum or frena to determine the best course of action. Usually, when issues like feeding or speech arise, natural solutions are considered first. However, if surgery is necessary, it will be performed at our office by our skilled oral surgeon. The procedure is very short, usually lasting between 10 to 15 minutes. Recovery is usually completed within two weeks and the patient will receive pain medication for soreness. After the procedure, our team will provide you with proper aftercare instructions. If you or your child is in need of a frenectomy in Simi Valley, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly team! We are here to help.