Frenectomy in Hillsborough

A frenectomy, also known as a frenulectomy, releases a tight or restrictive frenulum (the band of tissue connecting your tongue to the floor of your mouth, or your lip to your gums). Left untreated, it can affect nursing, speech, gum health, and orthodontic success at any age. Call Precision Dental Group in Hillsborough, NJ to learn if a frenectomy could help you or your child.

What is a Frenectomy?

A frenectomy is a simple oral procedure to loosen or remove the frenulum, the tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth or the lip to the gums. This is often referred to as treating a tongue-tie or lip-tie. At Precision Dental Group, our board-certified specialist performs this procedure using advanced laser technology for a precise, comfortable experience and is typically completed in a single visit with minimal downtime.

Do I Need a Frenectomy?

You or your child may benefit from a frenectomy if you notice:

  • Difficulty breastfeeding or bottle feeding
  • Discomfort while eating, speaking, or wearing dentures
  • Speech difficulties or trouble pronouncing certain sounds
  • Restricted tongue movement or difficulty moving the tongue comfortably
  • A gap between the front teeth, even after orthodontic treatment
  • Difficulty maintaining oral hygiene or frequent food trapping around teeth
  • Gum recession caused by a tight lip frenulum

Not everyone with these signs needs treatment. Our team can evaluate your or your child’s specific situation and recommend the best next step.

Benefits of a Frenulectomy

Resolving a restrictive frenulum offers lasting benefits, whether the procedure is done in childhood or later in life:

  • Improved Feeding: Helps infants latch more effectively during breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
  • Better Speech Development: Allows for greater tongue mobility, supporting clearer speech at any age.
  • Healthier Tooth Development: Reduces spacing concerns and supports more stable, lasting orthodontic results.
  • Reduced Gum Recession: Minimizes the tension on gum tissue that can lead to recession over time.
  • Easier Oral Hygiene: Improves the ability to clear food debris and maintain healthy teeth and gums.
  • Enhanced Comfort: Reduces daily tension and restriction that can affect eating, speaking, and overall comfort.

What to Expect

All frenectomies at Precision Dental Group are completed using our Waterlase laser (Er,Cr:YSGG laser technology), which minimizes the need for sutures and reduces the risk of infection. We use local numbing as needed; sedation is typically not necessary unless a young child has difficulty tolerating dental care. Most patients experience minimal downtime and can resume normal activities the same day.

dr wong

Who Will Perform Your Frenectomy?

Your frenectomy will be performed by Dr. Christine Wong, DDS, a Board-Certified Periodontist and Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology — one of the highest credentials a periodontist can achieve. With over 10 years of experience, Dr. Wong has helped patients of all ages find relief from tongue- and lip-tie related concerns, from young children working through feeding and speech to adults addressing gum recession and orthodontic stability. She takes a thorough, individualized approach to every evaluation, ensuring each frenectomy is performed with precision and care. When you choose Precision Dental Group, you are choosing a specialist deeply committed to your comfort and your long-term oral health.

Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions About Frenectomies

The terms are often used interchangeably for the same procedure: releasing a tight or restrictive frenulum. At Precision Dental Group, we use the term frenulectomy, although the term frenectomy is more common.

Most patients find a laser frenulectomy far more comfortable than expected. The area is numbed beforehand, and the laser minimizes bleeding and irritation, so discomfort during the procedure is minimal. Mild soreness for a day or two afterward is normal and easily managed.

Recovery is typically quick — most patients, children and adults alike, return to normal activities the same day. Mild soreness or tightness in the area may last a few days while the tissue heals.

Yes. While frenulectomies are often associated with infants, many teens and adults benefit from the procedure — particularly for gum recession, orthodontic stability, or speech and tongue mobility concerns.

Coverage varies by plan and by the reason for treatment. Our team will review your benefits with you during your consultation and help you understand your options.

Free Up Your Smile with a Frenectomy in Hillsborough

A frenectomy, or frenulectomy, can help you or your child feel more comfortable, speak more clearly, and protect your long-term oral health. If you’ve noticed signs of a restrictive frenulum, don’t wait — schedule a consultation with Precision Dental Group in Hillsborough, NJ today.