There are two types of frenectomies commonly performed, a lingual frenectomy and a maxillary frenectomy, both of which can be performed with one of two techniques (scalpel or CO2 laser). The LightScalpel 10,600 nm CO2 Laser — for hemostatic ability and precision (dentalsleeppractice.com).
- Lingual Frenectomy. A lingual frenectomy involves removing the connective tissue that connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Lingual frenectomies are commonly used to correct a condition called Ankyloglossia, otherwise known as tongue-tie.
Tongue-tie is usually related to a short, thick frenum, which limits the tongue’s capacity to move and can make it difficult for infants to breastfeed. It can also impact speech and eating in children and adults. Patients often try to compensate for the lack of tongue mobility by changing their jaw position – resulting in other orthodontic issues. - Maxillary Frenectomy. A maxillary frenectomy involves removing the piece of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums between the front teeth – commonly referred to as a lip-tie. Issues arise when the tissue is excessively large or tight in infants. Newborns who cannot flare out or curl their lips may have problems latching onto the breast while breastfeeding.
In older children and adults, a large frenum can also push the front teeth apart, creating a gap between them necessitating orthodontic treatment once permanent teeth come in.