Frenectomies

If your child has been struggling with nursing or with speech as they grow older, that may not be a coincidence, and it may be treatable. A frenectomy can resolve these concerns by shortening the frenulum, a tissue that connects your tongue to the bottom of your mouth. They can also be performed on adults if necessary. To learn more about our gentle frenectomies, call Precision Dental Group in Hillsborough, NJ

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What is a Frenectomy?

A frenectomy is a simple oral procedure completed right here in our Hillsborough office. Precision Dental Group uses a gentle laser to loosen the frenulum from the bottom of your mouth, leaving a more appropriately sized frenulum. This frees the tongue for essential movement.

The frenulum being too long is a genetic condition and will not go away over time. Thankfully,  frenectomy is completed in a single visit and has minimal downtime. Don’t hesitate to learn more about how these can help you or your child.

A frenectomy is a simple procedure that removes or adjusts a small band of tissue called a frenum. In children, an overly restrictive frenum can affect feeding, speech development, oral hygiene, and even the way teeth grow and develop. Dr. Chu and Dr. Wong take a comprehensive approach to evaluating whether a frenectomy may benefit your child, considering both their current needs and long-term oral health goals.

Some signs that may indicate your child could benefit from a frenectomy include:

  • Difficulty breastfeeding or bottle feeding
  • Trouble latching during feeding
  • Poor weight gain in infants
  • Clicking sounds while nursing
  • Excessive gas or swallowing air during feeding
  • Speech difficulties or delayed speech development
  • Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds
  • A visible gap between the upper front teeth
  • Restricted tongue movement
  • Difficulty sticking the tongue out past the lips
  • Trouble licking lips or clearing food from teeth
  • Mouth breathing
  • Challenges maintaining oral hygiene
  • Frequent food trapping around the teeth
  • Frustration while eating certain foods

Not every child with these symptoms requires treatment. Our team can evaluate your child’s oral development, discuss any concerns you have, and determine whether a frenectomy would improve comfort, function, or future dental health.

While frenectomies are commonly associated with infants and children, adults can also benefit from treatment. A restrictive frenum may continue to affect oral function, speech, comfort, and dental health throughout adulthood.

An adult frenectomy may be recommended if you experience:

  • Difficulty moving your tongue comfortably
  • Speech concerns related to tongue restriction
  • Persistent tension under the tongue or lip
  • A gap between the front teeth that orthodontic treatment cannot fully correct
  • Gum recession caused by a tight lip frenum
  • Difficulty cleaning certain areas of the mouth
  • Challenges wearing dentures or other dental restorations comfortably
  • Ongoing oral discomfort during eating or speaking

Using advanced diagnostics and a precise treatment approach, Dr. Wong and Dr. Chu can determine whether a frenectomy may improve your oral health, comfort, and overall quality of life. A simple procedure today may help prevent future complications and support a healthier, more functional smile.

How a Frenectomy Can Help You or Your Child

Frenectomies are only necessary in certain situations, where genetics led to a lengthened frenulum. When that occurs, resolving the issue can provide a variety of benefits.

Benefits of Frenectomies for Children

When a restrictive frenum interferes with normal development, a frenectomy can help children thrive during important stages of growth.

  • Improved Feeding: Helps infants latch more effectively during breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
  • Better Speech Development: Allows for greater tongue mobility as speech skills develop.
  • Healthier Tooth Development: May reduce spacing concerns caused by a tight lip frenum.
  • Easier Oral Hygiene: Improves the ability to clear food debris and maintain healthy teeth and gums.
  • Enhanced Comfort: Reduces tension and restriction that can affect eating and oral function.

Benefits of Frenectomies for Adults

Many adults live with tongue or lip restrictions for years without realizing treatment is available. A frenectomy can improve comfort and function at any age.

  • Greater Tongue Mobility: Makes speaking, eating, and swallowing more comfortable.
  • Improved Oral Hygiene: Allows easier access when brushing and flossing.
  • Support for Orthodontic Treatment: Helps prevent a restrictive frenum from contributing to gaps between teeth.
  • Reduced Gum Tension: Can minimize pulling on the gums that may contribute to recession.
  • Improved Comfort and Quality of Life: Reduces daily frustration caused by restricted oral movement.

By improving oral function and supporting long-term dental health, a frenectomy can be a valuable investment in both comfort and confidence for children and adults alike.

Using Our Waterlase Laser for Comfortable Care

At Precision Dental Group, a frenectomy isn’t a surgical procedure. Instead, our Waterlase laser gently releases the frenulum from the bottom of the mouth, which minimizes the need for sutures and reduces the risk of infection. It is a painless procedure and doesn’t require sedation unless the child has a hard time tolerating any kind of oral care.

Our advanced technology allows us to offer the ultimate comfort, instead of basic dental care that can feel rushed or even painful. Experience the difference our Waterlase laser can make by receiving your next dental care with Precision Dental Group.

Free Up Your Smile with a Frenectomy in Hillsborough

A frenectomy can help your smile feel free and healthy, and can help your child prepare for a life with a healthy smile. If you notice the symptoms of a long frenulum, call us to learn more about frenectomies, and let us help you understand your or your family member’s options. Contact Precision Dental Group in Hillsborough, NJ, to get started today.

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