Oral Surgery to Loosen the Ties that Bind

Generally speaking, a frenectomy is any procedure where confining tissue is cut. From an Oral Surgeon’s perspective, the term refers to a specific, simple surgery intended to address a tongue tie or a lip tie. The frenum is a small piece of connective tissue between the tongue and the lower jaw as well as the upper lip and the gum directly over the front teeth. Lingual frenectomies are especially common in infancy and early childhood. A frenum that is too short or too tight must be clipped. Otherwise, a child may have difficulty with development basics such as swallowing, breastfeeding or speech advancement. Dr. Campbell uses a CO2 laser for frenectomies, which results in less pain, swelling and bleeding.

FRENECTOMY - Columbus ga

There are two common types of oral frenectomies and Dr. William Campbell, the top Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in the greater Columbus area, provides expert treatment with both procedures. Continue reading to learn more about these simple surgeries.

Lingual frenectomy:

The most commonly known frenum is the one that links the tongue and the bottom of the mouth. When this span of tissue, the lingual frenum, is too short to allow the tongue full range of motion, the affected individual has a condition known as ankyloglossia, or more commonly “tongue tied.” Almost five percent of babies are born with this restriction, more of them boys than girls. To avoid potential difficulties with breastfeeding and speech development, a lingual frenectomy is used to free the tongue’s movement.

Maxillary labial frenectomy:

The connective tissue between the upper lip and the gum right over the front teeth is called the labial frenum. When it’s too tight, it can cause separation of the front teeth or lead the gum tissue to pull away from the teeth and bone. A maxillary frenectomy increases the lip’s ability to move and permits access for proper care.