Tongue-tied? An expression used daily; however, there is science behind it. A tongue tie or a lip tie is medically called a frenum. Although your mouth usually contains frenum, serving as a support, sometimes they can produce problems and require removal. This process is called frenectomy.
A frenum is a band of tissue that connects two mouth structures together. There are two common types of frenum: labial and lingual. A labial frenum is commonly known as a lip tie. In this type, the frenum connects the upper gum to the front teeth. As the lip is fixed, this can cause problems with lip movements, affecting mouth movements and chewing.
The other type is the lingual frenum, known as tongue tie. This one is more famous in newborns. Here, the frenum extends from the undersurface of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. This type can cause problems with speech and pronunciation, and that’s why parents are usually eager to correct this problem so it won’t affect their baby’s speech.
What is a Frenectomy Procedure
A frenectomy is a procedure where an alteration or complete removal of the frenum is done. Your dentist usually discusses the three approaches to the procedure with you, and together, you pick the most convenient for you.
Types of Frenectomy
- Scalpel method: this is the classical method. Your dentist uses a scalpel in order to cut the frenum, releasing it from its attachment. This method usually has the most problems. Naturally, it is more painful, with more bleeding and more risk of infection.
- Electrosurgery: a newer method where heat is generated from electric current. Of course, you are not directly affected by electricity! It is a much better option than the scalpel method; however, it also carries its problems. For instance, the use of electricity can affect people who have a pacemaker, which is a small device inserted into your heart to regulate the heartbeat. Plus, it can cause burns to the gum.
- CO2 Laser: the newest method where the laser is employed to cut the frenum off. This is currently the best method, as it has more advantages than the other two methods. It is the safest and most effective method, as it is generally a simpler procedure. The surgery is of a short duration. After the procedure, you will feel minimal pain with little bleeding, with little or no scar tissue formed, meaning that your gums will return back to normal.
What is the best age to do a frenectomy?
For a lingual frenectomy or a tongue tie, it’s better to do it a couple of weeks after birth. For lip tie, as soon as it produces a problem, it should be done.
Before the procedure, your dentist will discuss with you methods of sedation. In infants, usually, no sedation is needed. In older ages, you may be asked to pick between numbing cream, laughing gas (nitrous oxide) or being put to sleep.
When is a frenectomy needed?
As we mentioned before, frenums can be found normally in the mouth and don’t impose any problems. However, in certain conditions, the frenum can be too short or too tight, which can then cause problems.
- Gum problems: this is common in lip tie. As the frenum attaches to your gum, this can cause the plaque— which is made up of bacteria and food remnants— to build up within your gum. This can increase the risk of gum infection and poor mouth odour, in addition to a plethora of other gum-related problems.
- Gum recession: the pull of the frenum band on the gum can cause a backward pull of the gum, leaving the covered surface of the teeth exposed. It can make the teeth look off and can increase the risk of teeth loss.
- Aesthetic problems: the labial frenum can produce something called midline diastema. It is the condition where a gap exists between two of your teeth. The gap can cause aesthetic problems.
- Lip movement can be limited in lip tie, and this can make your lip lose its main function. Problems with chewing and speaking can be there.
- Tongue tie can cause speech problems, especially with young infants, who are just beginning to learn how to pronounce and speak.
Benefits of Frenectomy
In addition to being a simple procedure with minimal side effects, doing a frenectomy can help you improve a lot of problems, including:
- Improved breastfeeding for your infant after releasing the tongue tie
- Improved speech and pronunciation
- Closure of the diastema (a gap between the teeth) gives you a more confident smile
- Better gum health
Frenectomy recovery
For infants, the procedure is fairly simple and recovery time is fast. Here are some tips to ease the recovery for your newborn:
- Expect the baby to be more fussy than usual; this is normal as they just underwent a procedure. Try pacifying them as much as possible.
- The baby might face some difficulties with breastfeeding; however, this will gradually improve over time.
- As the baby might have difficulty breastfeeding, try finding another alternative as bottle formula.
- Give pain medications as indicated
For adults several pointers can be given to achieve a smooth sailing recovery from frenectomy for adults. These include:
- Although the pain will differ according to the type of frenectomy, pain medication should provide good control.
- Try eating non-irritable foods, not too sour or spicy. Otherwise, it can irritate the wound and increase the risk of infection.
- Minimize the risk of infection by brushing and flossing to keep the area clean.
Frenectomy Cost in Turkey
Known for the high quality of care and affordability, dental work in Turkey is gaining a rising popularity. A frenectomy can cost up to $1500 in the US. On the other hand, a frenectomy can cost an average of $100 in Turkey.
Why DentSpa?
Choosing where to receive a frenectomy is crucial, and DentSpa stands out as a premier option for several compelling reasons:
- Top Notch Staff: something as important as frenectomy requires a high degree of skill and accuracy. Here at DentSpa, we pride ourselves on boosting highly trained, skilled, and well-respected professionals. This ensures the optimum quality of care is provided for you.
- Excellent material: as we believe that only the best should be offered to our clientele, we invest in only the highest quality dental material. Not only does this provide a pleasant experience, but also ensures good longevity of the offered care.
- State-of-the-art technology: only the newest and most technologically advanced instruments and devices are provided in our practice. This is to facilitate the provided procedure, eventually creating a pleasant experience for you.
Looking for a solution to your lip tie? Contact us immediately at DentSpa and book your appointment to receive the care you deserve.
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