Frenulectomy

Frenulectomy is a quick and simple procedure to address problems caused by a tight or too short frenulum. Proper preparation, performance, and postoperative care are key to a successful outcome and a speedy recovery. If you have symptoms that may require this procedure, consult your doctor or dentist for appropriate advice and treatment.

Candidates for a frenulectomy include people who have:

• Limited tongue mobility (tongue-tie or ankyloglossia) which can make speaking, eating or oral hygiene difficult.
• Diastema (space between front teeth) due to a labial frenulum that is too short.
• Discomfort or pain due to a tight frenulum.
• Difficulty wearing dentures or other dental aids due to frenulum.

There is no special preparation before the procedure. A frenulum is not an uncommon occurrence and we all have it, but due to its size and position, it can cause problems in everyday life and oral hygiene for some patients, and it can even lead to receding gums.

It is important to first have an examination by a dentist who will assess the condition and advise you on treatment options. During the examination, our dentist will collect all necessary information about the patient’s medical history, including allergies and previous surgical procedures, and accordingly provide all necessary instructions about diet and medications that should be avoided before the procedure.

Frenulectomy can be performed surgically or with a laser. At the beginning, local anesthesia is applied to ensure painlessness during the procedure. The oral surgeon cuts the frenulum using an appropriate instrument. After removing or shortening the frenulum, the wound is sutured to close it and the surrounding area is further cleaned and disinfected to prevent infection. Finally, the oral surgeon checks again to see if the bleeding has stopped.

Recovery after frenulectomy is usually quick and without complications:

• Mild pain or discomfort is possible, and the oral surgeon will prescribe analgesics and their dosage.
• Mild swelling may occur, but usually disappears within a few days. To prevent this, it is recommended to apply a cold compress to the affected area every 15-30 minutes for no longer than 3-5 minutes for the first 12 hours.
• Most patients can return to daily activities within a few days.

Nutrition:

• Avoid eating and chewing while you are feeling the effects of the anesthesia, as you may bite your cheek or tongue and cause additional injury.
• It is advisable to eat liquid or pureed food during the first day.
• It is necessary to avoid hot and carbonated drinks and grainy food.

Maintaining oral hygiene:

• It is important to maintain oral hygiene with toothpaste and a toothbrush, taking care not to injure the wound.
• If you have stitches, it is essential to remove plaque daily with a swab dipped in oral antiseptic.
• Do not rinse your mouth with water for the first 24 hours after the procedure, and after that, if there is no bleeding, rinse your mouth with the solution every four hours (without shaking). You can prepare the solution yourself by mixing one tablespoon of salt with one liter of water, you can make sage tea, or you can rinse your mouth with an oral antiseptic based on chlorhexidine.

A regular check-up is scheduled 7-10 days after frenulectomy to assess healing and remove sutures as needed.