Labial: Connects the upper lip to the tissue of the upper teeth.
Lingual: Connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
Gingival: Attaches to the gum tissue between two teeth.
A frenectomy is simply the surgical removal of a frenulum or a small fold of tissue that prevents a given organ in your body from moving too much or too far. In dentistry, we’re mainly concerned with three types of frenula.
First signs of restricted frenula can be from when a mother has difficulties breastfeeding. A painful or shallow latch can occur or the baby can have difficulty expressing milk properly from the breast.
First signs of restricted frenula can be from when a mother has difficulties breastfeeding. A painful or shallow latch can occur or the baby can have difficulty expressing milk properly from the breast.
A restrictive lingual frenulum, on the other hand, can result in what’s commonly known as being “tongue-tied”. When this attachment prevents proper mobility of the tongue, it can result in serious restrictions on your child’s ability to eat, speak, or breathe through their nose properly.
Babies, Mothers, and Latching
Issues that may result from lip and tongue ties…
IN THE INFANT:
- No latch or non-sustainable latch
- Shallow latch, sliding off the breast
- Breaks latch seal consistently
- Clicking or smacking sounds
- Extreme gassiness
- Colic and reflux
- Prolonged feeding durations (>30 min)
- Spilling and leaking milk
- Falls asleep quickly on the breast
- Gumming or chewing on the nipple
- Poor weight gain or failure to thrive
- Unable to hold pacifier in mouth
IN THE MOTHER:
- Creased, flattened or blanched nipples after feeding
- Cracked, bruised or blistered nipples
- Bleeding nipples
- Severe pain with latch
- Maternal exhaustion & depression
- Infected nipples
- Plugged ducts
- Mastitis & nipple thrush
- Engorged or un-emptied breasts
Goals of Frenectomies
Newborns/Infants:
- allow proper/painless latching
- decrease air swallow
- allow lip/tongue mobility
- create positive airway
Toddlers/School-Aged Children
- allow proper nasal breathing
- eliminate mouthbreathing/snoring
- improve speech and language development
- improve feeding and swallowing
Adolescents, Teens, and Adults
- proper tooth alignment and spacing
- unobstructed nasal breathing
Advantages of Laser Treatment Include
- No sedation or trip to the operating room
- Bactericidal- lessens the chance of any infection
- Reduced post-treatment discomfort or inflammation
- More precise surgery
- Risk of bleeding significantly reduced
- Faster recovery