Designer Smiles FL office located in Coral Springs has state-of-the-art equipment meant for performing procedures that ease discomfort and pain in the mouth. Some dental issues may cause problems when eating, drinking, nursing, or speaking. One issue many patients deal with is extra or elongated frenal tissue, but this can be fixed with a simple frenectomy.

What is a Dental Frenectomy?

A frenectomy is a procedure that removes one or both frenula from the mouth. Frenula is a tissue in the body that typically prevents organs from moving around too much. Dentists work with four main types of frenula – labial, lingual, gingival, and buccal. Let’s define what these tissues do and how a frenectomy can help:

• Lingual frenum consists of thin vertical bands of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
• Labial frenum is the webbing that attaches the gums to the teeth at the top and bottom of the mouth.
• Gingival frenum is responsible for connecting the tissue between teeth.
• Buccal frenum works by connecting the tissue of the gums to the inside of the cheek.

When The Frenula Problem is Noticed?

Problems with this tissue are often noticed in children when they start to develop teeth and dentition. Infants may experience difficulty when nursing or drinking from bottles. An elongated frenulum can cause children to have trouble speaking, resulting in speech problems later in life if the problem is not corrected. Older children may not have the ability to extend their tongue to a normal length, or they may experience discomfort when swallowing.

Gaps in Teeth

If the labial frenum is extended too far it can cause space to develop between the two upper front teeth. This frequently results in a gap between these teeth. Our periodontist in Coral Springs, FL suggests, if the gap develops in childhood, it is best to wait until permanent teeth have developed and then fix it with a frenectomy if it remains. Gaps often fill in when permanent teeth grow in, potentially eliminating the need for braces or surgery.

Get a Dental Frenectomy Near You

The procedure is quick (often between 10 and 20 minutes) and recovery is usually complete within two weeks. After the procedure, follow proper aftercare instructions and manage soreness with pain medication. Make an appointment with us at Designer Smiles, FL, periodontist in Coral Springs!