Lingual Frenectomy

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Lingual Frenectomy

Lingual Frenum is a small fold of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. The terms “tongue tie” and “Ankyloglossia” refer to a restricted lingual frenum due to a consolidation of tissue, usually leading to reduced mobility of the tongue.

Tongue tie may contribute to feeding difficulties, especially in infants for breastfeeding, speech, saliva management, orafacial development and social implications. A lingual frenectomy is the removal of the lingual frenum under the tongue to increase the tongues range motion. Lingual frenectomy is often performed for newborns with tongue tie to enable them to latch and suckle.

There are two methods to do the frenectomy:
  1. Laser: Modern method using the laser.
  2. Surgery: Traditional method by using scissors to clip the lingual frenum.
There are advantages and disadvantages associated with both methods. The laser method does not need anesthetic, causes little to no bleeding; the area heals faster and results in lower risk of relapse. The scissor technique is the traditional method to perform a frenectomy. It needs local anesthetic, causes more bleeding and may take longer to heal. The main advantage of this method is that it is quick.

At Crown Point Dental Care, we have been using the Water Laser method for lingual and labial frenectomy procedures for over twelve years. Please contact us for additional information at 614.457.4303.
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