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Frenectomy
A frenectomy releases a tight band of tissue under the tongue or lip. We assess first, because many frenums look tight but do not need to be cut.
A frenum is the small fold of tissue that joins the tongue to the floor of the mouth, or the upper lip to the gum above the front teeth. In some people it is short or thick, and this can limit movement. That is what people call tongue tie or lip tie.
A frenectomy releases the frenum. At our clinic the release is done with a surgical dental laser, which keeps bleeding low and usually needs no stitches. The dentists who use our dental laser for this take a gentle approach with young and anxious patients.
The decision to treat comes from what the frenum is doing, not from how it looks. A tight-looking frenum that causes no problem is left alone.
When frenectomy can help
- A child who cannot stick the tongue out past the lips, or whose tongue tip looks notched or heart-shaped
- Speech difficulty with sounds such as t, d, l, r or s, after a speech therapist has assessed the child
- An infant who struggles to latch during feeding, assessed together with the paediatrician
- A gap between the upper front teeth, with a thick band running between them
- A lip frenum that pulls the gum away from the teeth when you smile
- Gum recession or food trapping where the frenum is attached
- A tongue that restricts eating, cleaning the teeth or playing a wind instrument in an adult
Your options
Laser frenectomy
The laser divides the tight tissue with little bleeding. It is a quick procedure. The area is sore for a few days.
Scalpel frenectomy
A blade releases the frenum, usually followed by stitches. It is a well-established method and is sometimes needed when the tissue is thick or the anatomy is unusual.
Frenectomy after braces
When a gap between the front teeth is the concern, orthodontists often close the gap first and then release the frenum so that the gap stays closed.
What happens, step by step
- 1
Assessment
We look at how far the tongue or lip moves and where the frenum attaches. For a child, we ask about speech and feeding. If the concern is a tooth gap, we may involve our orthodontist, Dr. Ila Vyas, so the timing fits any braces.
- 2
Numbing
A topical gel and a small amount of local anaesthesia can be used to numb the area. Young children usually need to be held gently, often by a parent. Ask us about staying with your child.
- 3
Release
The laser divides the frenum in a short procedure. You may notice a slight smell and warmth. Stitches are often not needed.
- 4
Exercises and review
For tongue tie, simple tongue exercises help stop the area tightening again as it heals. A review a week or two later is usual.
Want the detail?
Laser Gum Treatment: What It Treats and Why →
Real Patient Results
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Frenectomy - labial frenum removal
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After treatment
- The area looks white or yellowish for several days. This is normal healing, not infection.
- Give soft, cool foods such as curd, ice cream and mashed fruit on the first day.
- For tongue tie, do the tongue exercises you are shown, as advised, to keep the movement you gained.
- Keep the mouth clean with gentle brushing. Do not pull the lip or tongue roughly.
- Call us if bleeding does not stop, or if you see swelling that is increasing after a few days.
When we suggest something else
Many infants and children with a visible frenum do not need a release. Feeding and speech can have other causes, and a tongue that looks tied is not always the cause. For speech, a speech therapist's opinion comes first, and for feeding, a lactation consultant or paediatrician.
For a gap between the front teeth, a frenectomy on its own will not close it. Braces, aligners or bonding are usually needed, and doing the release at the right moment matters. If this is not likely to be the answer for your case, we say so.
Cost
What changes the cost
- Whether it is a tongue or lip frenum, or both
- The age of the patient and whether the child is cooperative
- Thickness of the tissue and the technique required
- Whether it is combined with orthodontic or gum treatment
- Follow-up visits after the release
Visit us for a detailed quote. We examine your teeth and give you a written estimate before any treatment starts.
Who treats you
- Dr. (Lt.Col) Suresh Isawe, Founder & Senior Surgeon (BDS (Mumbai, 1981), PGDPC, MIAO (USA))
- Dr. Kanchan Koli, General Dentistry Specialist (BDS)
Questions patients ask
At what age can a frenectomy be done?
It can be done at any age, from infancy to adulthood. For babies, we may suggest you also see your paediatrician or a lactation consultant. For older children we often wait until we see whether the frenum is actually causing a problem.
Is a frenectomy painful?
The area is numbed first. Afterwards it feels sore, like a mouth ulcer, for a few days. Soft cold food and simple pain relief usually manage it.
Will my child's speech improve right after?
Not on its own. The release gives the tongue room to move, but speech takes practice, so speech therapy often continues alongside, and we may suggest you also see a speech therapist. We cannot predict the speech result.
Can the frenum grow back?
It can reattach or tighten as it heals, which is why exercises matter after a tongue tie release. We check the healing at the review visit.
Does it close the gap between my front teeth?
Not by itself. The release removes what may be holding the gap open. Braces or bonding are normally needed to close it.
How long until I can eat normally?
Soft food for the first day or two, then normal eating as comfort allows. Most people feel back to normal within a week.
Typical Duration
About 15 to 30 minutes
Visit Us in Malad West
A-102, Marve Link Appt., 1st Floor, Marve Road, Mith Chowky, Malad (W), Mumbai 400064
- Monday – Saturday: 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed