If you or your child has a “tongue tie” or if the tongue has limited mobility that impedes on the ability to properly speak or chew, a frenectomy can significantly improve your overall oral functioning. Parvaz Mizrahi, DDS, MPH, is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who provides exceptional laser-assisted frenectomies at her practices in Beverly Hills, California, and the Miracle Mile neighborhood of Los Angeles. To learn more, schedule a visit today by calling the office or booking an appointment online.
A frenum is a thin band of connective tissue. You have two main frena in your mouth:
Your lingual frenum connects the base of your tongue to the bottom of your mouth.
Your labial frenum connects the insides of your lips to the front of your gums. You have two labial frena, one at the front of your upper jaw and another at the front of your lower jaw.
A frenectomy is a procedure that releases the frenum. This is sometimes necessary in patients that have abnormally long or wide frenums, which can inhibit certain oral functions. An elongated lingual frenum can inhibit the normal function of the tongue, leading to improper speech, eating, and chewing. This is particularly troublesome for children who are still nursing, in whom the condition is called “tongue-tied.” Tongue-tied children who go without a frenectomy typically end up experiencing difficulty speaking as they get older. Lingual frenectomies are simple procedures that Dr. Mizrahi can perform with minimal pain as early as the first few weeks after your child’s birth. An extended labial frenum presents orthodontic problems. A frenum that comes too far down and close to the gum line can disrupt the proper spacing and growth of your upper front teeth, creating a large gap between the middle two teeth.
First, Dr. Mizrahi performs an assessment of your frenum in question. If she determines that your oral health would be improved by a frenectomy, she performs a quick and easy in-office procedure to treat the condition. It entails minimal bleeding and swelling.
Recovery from a frenectomy is fairly quick. You should be back to normal within a couple of days.
Dr. Mizrahi evaluates her patients on a case-by-case basis and does her best to ensure that their implant process is safe and effective.
