Frenectomy

After Before

A frenectomy is the surigcal removal or frenum (freae - plural, which is a thin band of tissue found in various parts of the body, especially the mouth. A frenctomy is the surgical removal of frenulum or frenum (frenae - plural), which is a thing band of tissue found in various parts of the body, especially the mouth. There are two primary locations in the mouth where frenum is found - under the tongue and underneath the center if the upper lip. The frenum attaches the muscles of the cheeks and lips to the mouth, but in some cases, this tissue may interfere with the development of the mouth. In the event that the tissue, or frenum, is attached to close to the tip of the tongue or too far down the gums between the front teeth, a frenectomy may be performed.

There are two primary locations in the mouth where frenum is found - underneath the center if the upper lip. The frenum attaches the muscles of the cheeks and lips to the mouth, but in some cases, this tissue may interfere with teh development of the mouth. In the event that the tissue, or frenum, is attached to close to the tip of the tongue or too far down the gums between the front teeth, a frenectomy may be performed.

A labial frenectomy is the removal of the tissue attached to the center of the upper lip. Frenum attached too far down the gum can cause gum recession and gaps between the front teeth. Further, denture patients often have a labial frenectomy to achieve a proper denture fit. A lingual frenectomy is the removal of the lingual frenum, or the tissue under the tongue. Generally, if the tissue is attached to closely to the tip of the tongue, it can interfere with speech development and proper tooth development. A lingual Frenectomy is a fairly common procedure for children who may be "tongue tied" and is sometimes referred to as clipping the tongue. After the procedure, the tongue can usually be fully extended and becomes fully mobile.


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