Frenectomy

A frenum is a fold of tissue or muscle connecting the lips, cheek or tongue to the jawbone. A frenectomy is simply the surgical removal of a frenum.

Sometimes a excessively large frenum can be attached too high on the gums causing either recession or spaces between teeth. The procedure to remove this is a called labial frenectomy and involves the removal of tissue attachment between the two front teeth as the gap between the teeth can again pushed apart by the frenum, even after it being initially corrected via a different procedure. The frenum can be attached in such a way that it prevents the baby teeth from coming through.

A lingual frenectomy removes the fold of tissue under the tongue. Some people have a large frenum that limits tongue movement and can interfere with speech. The condition of limited tongue mobility is called ankyloglossia, or tongue tie.

When Orthodontic treatment is planned or initiated, the removal of an abnormal frenum, with or without a gingival graft, can increase stability and improve success of the final orthodontic result.