Frenectomy in Louisville, KY & New Albany, IN
Your frenum, is the small piece of tissue that restrains the motion of your tongue, cheeks, or lips. You have several frenum’s in your body but the ones that usually need a frenectomy procedure are inside your mouth. A frenectomy is a dental procedure that is performed to correct issues related to the frenum. These problems are most often diagnosed in children but can also be found in adults. The frenectomy is a simple dental procedure that necessitates the frenum to be removed. The most common method to perform this is by removing the frenum with a surgical scalpel, but we can also use a laser to perform this procedure. The laser makes the procedure quicker, bloodless, and the healing process is faster.
Are You or Your Child a Candidate?
There are several common indications you might benefit from a frenectomy:
- You have a high lingual frenum attachment restricting your tongue movement, which is affecting your speech, eating, and swallowing abilities.
- Your two upper front teeth have a noticeable gap between them. Your frenum has excessive tissue that is preventing the closure between the teeth.
- The position of your labial frenum is close to the edge of your gum tissue where it will cause tension and gum recession or tissue loss if not corrected.
Frenectomies are most often performed on a baby or a child when there are signs of a speech impediment or feeding issues. It is also common for some children to reach their adulthood years before receiving any corrective surgery, even though their restricted tongue movement has caused them a variety of issues growing up.
The Frenectomy Procedure
A frenectomy is simpler and less invasive than even having a tooth filled. To minimize any discomfort during the procedure, PerioImplant Associates will begin by administering a local anesthetic. When the tissue is sufficiently numb, we will either use a surgical scalpel or a dental laser to reduce or remove the tissue. The laser reduces the chances of an infection since it also instantly sanitizes the area. The healing process is also shorter with a laser. For a newborn to nurse or feed properly, we need to free the lingual frenum underneath the tongue. Most often the newborn can feed immediately after the procedure, as the recovery happens instantly. Older children may be given a mild anesthetic before their frenectomy. The entire process usually only takes between 15 and 30 minutes.
Contact Our Practice Today
Our goal is to get you back to smiling and chewing with confidence. With our qualified staff and compassionate team, we will listen to your questions and desires to find the best solution for your dental health.
Frenectomy For Your Child
A child with an oversized frenum can encounter a number of uncomfortable issues, including difficulty with their speech, a condition often referred to as “tongue tied.” Other issues that can develop include:
- Having difficulty with breastfeeding or nursing as an infant.
- The frenum getting stuck between their teeth.
- A challenging time attempting to stick out their tongue.
- Receding gums at an early age, escalating the probability of periodontal disease.
Frenectomy For an Adult
If you have an over-sized frenulum, you could experience a variety of issues, including problems with your speech. You may have learned to compensate with a frenum issue, despite the challenges you faced being audible and articulating when you speak.
A tight frenum can also make the process of chewing difficult, because your tongue is simply unable to move freely inside your mouth. This can also result in swallowing difficulties. A frenectomy at PerioImplant Associates can help address this issue and improve your ability to eat.
Other dental issues can develop if you have an improperly sized frenum because the food is unable to move around the mouth as it should, which limits your ability to clean your molars due to a limited range of motion of your tongue.
Our Specialists Tell Our Story Best
Ramsey Burton, DMD
Dr. Ramsey Burton is originally from Nashville, TN. He received both his undergraduate and doctorate degrees from the University of Louisville. Following dental school, he completed periodontal specialty training at the University of Kentucky.
Courtney Shearer, DMD, MS
Dr. Courtney Shearer was born and raised in Louisville, KY. She attended Washington and Lee University for her undergraduate degree. She then attended the University of Louisville School of Dentistry where she received her Doctorate in Dentistry.
Jodie Lusby, DMD, MSD
Dr. Jodie Lusby is a Board Certified Periodontist and grew up in Florence, KY. He attended the University of Kentucky where he received his biology degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude. He then attended the Louisville School of Dentistry.
Post Procedure Aftercare
There are no special instructions after having a frenectomy, although it will be necessary to schedule a follow up appointment at PerioImplant Associates to confirm that the treatment was successful and is healing properly.
Continuing to exercise good oral hygiene habits is essential. Make sure you continue to brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time and to floss at least once a day. In addition to these preventative habits, the next best thing you can do to compliment your efforts is to schedule regular exams twice a year. This allows the staff at PerioImplant Associates to perform routine checkups, to conduct professional teeth cleanings and to monitor your overall oral health.
Frenectomy Treatment Costs
The cost of a frenectomy for you or a child will depend on the individual needs and any personal treatment plan. We will discuss with you the cost of the treatment, your insurance coverage situation, and available payment options before we begin, so that you can make the best choice at the time.
The Risks of Not having Frenectomy Treatment
If left untreated, there are quite a few issues that can occur, including the following:
- Crowded teeth
- Inadequate lip seal
- Periodontal disease
- Chronic mouth breathing
- Messy eating or improper swallowing
- Restricted jaw growth
- Undesirable speech issues
- Deep or over closed bite
- Altered or limited development of dental arches
- Limited facial muscle movement
- Nasal sinus congestion or airway constriction
A Warm and Caring Welcome to Our Practice
Our entire staff at PerioImplant Associates has one primary focus, and that is to serve you. It can be normal for you to feel apprehensive or anxious about visiting a general dentist, or even a dental specialist such as a periodontist. Understanding that anxiety, we will always take our time in explaining the benefits of the procedure that is being proposed for your oral health. Both offices, Louisville, KY, and New Albany, IN, are completely trained to address all issues and concerns. We will share the benefits of periodontal treatment, introduce our staff, and explain any general office policies. Call us today about an evaluation for a frenectomy procedure for you or your child. We will all greet you smiling and send you home with a healthy smile of your own that you will be eager to share.