A frenulum is a piece of tissue that prevents another from moving. There is a frenulum that attaches your upper lip to the gums, while another connects the lower lip to the gums. A frenulum that is too short or thick will cause problems in speech patterns and tooth misalignment or gaps between teeth. In infants, a shortened frenulum underneath the tongue will inhibit breastfeeding. When the frenulum disrupts movement, growth, or development, corrective action is necessary to resolve the situation.
A frenectomy is a minor surgical procedure that is performed in your dentist’s office. It can be performed with either a scalpel or laser and takes less than 15 minutes. If your child needs a frenectomy, there is nothing to worry about. The procedure is very successful and causes minimal discomfort.