Frenulectomy For Children
Children with over-sized frenums can experience a range of issues, including the following:
- Can cause gum recession
- Difficulty speaking
- Difficulty breastfeeding
- The frenulum gets stuck between teeth
- Difficulty sticking tongue out
- Increased risk of developing periodontal disease due to receding gums
Frenulectomy For Adults
Adults with frenula that are oversized can experience a range of issues, including the following:
- Can cause gum recession
- Jaw pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Increased risk of developing dental issues
- Issues communicating
- Difficulty playing particular types of instruments
- Difficulty kissing
Dr. Patel
Periodontist
The training that Dr. Patel has received has given him a wide range of experience in treating advanced periodontal disease, complicated extractions of teeth, placement of dental implants, bone regenerative procedures, as well as in periodontal plastic surgery/cosmetic procedures.
Dr. Pooria Fallah
Periodontist
Dr. Fallah received his DDS degree in 2009 and subsequently completed his residency program in Periodontics at New York University College of Dentistry in 2015. He became a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontics in 2016 and has been practicing periodontics in private practice in Dallas since 2015.
Dr. Husain
Periodontist
Dr. Husain is proficient in dental surgical procedures involving bone and soft tissue grafting, dental implant placement, minimally invasive LANAP and other laser procedures, and treating chronic periodontal diseases.
Dr. Li
Periodontist
Dr. Li is a Board-Certified periodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. A Diplomate is a periodontist who has made significant achievements beyond the mandatory educational requirements of the specialty, demonstrating a comprehensive mastery of all phases of periodontal disease and treatment and in the placement of dental implants.
The Frenectomy Process
In order to determine if a frenectomy is right for you or your child, you will need to schedule an initial consultation, during which we will examine the overall health of your teeth, review your medical history, and determine what treatment options are best suited to your unique needs.
If a frenectomy is determined to be the optimal treatment option for you or your child, the procedure will begin with the administration of a local anesthetic for older children or adults. Next, your periodontist will use a laser or scalpel to separate the frenulum. The procedure is relatively painless and can typically be completed in 15-30 minutes.
Potential Consequences of Not Having a Frenectomy
A range of issues can develop for patients who do not pursue treatment, including:
- Airway constriction/nasal sinus congestion
- Chronic mouth breathing
- Crowded teeth
- Improper swallowing and/or messy eating
- Inadequate lip seal
- Limited jaw growth
- Limited or altered dental arch development
- Limited movement of the oro-facial muscle
- Periodontal disease
Aftercare for Frenectomy
Following the procedure, it is critical to stretch the tongue and lip area within four hours. First, wash and dry your hands, and then begin to playfully rub the gums, palate, and inner cheeks. Doing so will encourage tongue movement and relax your baby. Next, place your finger beneath the tongue and lift up, holding it in place for three seconds before releasing. Do this one or two times. Next, lift your child’s upper lip until it covers the nostrils. Hold this position for approximately three seconds and repeat this process one or two times. Finally, massage the area of the lip directly beneath the nose. Ideally, these exercises will be repeated before feedings for the first two weeks, but it is most important to perform them during the first 48 hours following the procedure.
Performing these stretching exercises will have the following benefits:
- Optimal healing, tongue functionality, and mobility
- Prevents oral aversion
- Prevents scar formation and re-attachment
- Improves your child’s feeding skills
In addition to providing this aftercare for your child, you will need to schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure you are healing properly and that the treatment has been successful.
Adults recovering from a frenectomy procedure can expect some mild pain or discomfort, which can typically be addressed through the administration of ice packs and pain-relieving medication, such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen. It is also important to follow a soft food diet following surgery, sticking to foods like mashed potatoes, pasta, soups, scrambled eggs, etc. Finally, you should maintain your normal oral hygiene care, though it is important to avoid rinsing vigorously. You should also brush lightly in the areas where the dressing is placed.
Babies who have a frenectomy will typically demonstrate or experience mild fussiness or discomfort following the procedure, but this can usually be relieved through breastfeeding. If your baby continues to be uncomfortable, Tylenol can help relieve discomfort. Be certain to carefully follow the recommended dosage based on your baby’s weight.
Frenectomy Cost
There are a range of factors that can impact the final cost of having a frenectomy, such as the severity of your case, any associated procedures that will need to be performed prior to or along with treatment, and your insurance plan.
Our team is committed to helping you complete necessary paperwork, schedule appointments, and answer any questions you have concerning billing. For patients who have insurance plans, we do request that you submit medical/dental insurance information with your New Patient Paperwork to expedite this process.
Please note: to reduce costs to our patients while still ensuring that we can provide the highest level of care, we have the following financial policies:
- We accept Discover, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express
- Full payment is due after services are rendered
- Payment plan options are available via www.CareCredit.com
PERIODONTAL SERVICES
To determine if you have gum disease, your periodontist will measure the space between your teeth and gums. Patients who have pockets that are deeper than the average depth of three millimeters or less will be considered candidates for treating gum disease. Depending upon how severe your case is, your periodontist will suggest a follow-up appointment, during which several different treatment options may be recommended.
Patients who are suffering from periodontal disease may experience gum recession. If this issue is not treated at an early stage, more complicated and serious problems can develop, as gum recession creates greater exposure of your natural teeth, which creates opportunities for bacteria to build. To address this issue, patients have historically had gum grafting, which involves removing tissue from unaffected areas and then grafting this tissue to the areas that have been affected. This is an effective method for addressing the issue of receding gums. There is a newer and increasingly popular approach to treating receding gums, which is the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST).
Laser gum surgery is an advanced treatment option that efficiently and painlessly treats gum disease through the use of a laser. One of the unique aspects of laser gum surgery is that the laser pinpoints and kills bacteria without damaging surrounding gum tissue. Unlike other treatment options, which involve cutting and suturing, patients who have laser gum surgery and treatment performed will have a much quicker healing process.
Patients who have gum recession may consider having a gum graft, a common oral surgical procedure that thickens existing gums and/or covers a tooth root surface in order to prevent further recession from occurring. Gum recession can occur for a variety of reasons, but the most common reason is due to periodontal disease. A gum graft will not only improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile but will also reduce your risk of developing additional issues.
Patients who have an imbalanced ratio between their visible gums and teeth have what is commonly referred to as a gummy smile. Gummy smiles can be caused by a range of factors, including bone deterioration, periodontal disease, or genetic predisposition. Regardless of the reason, patients often feel self-conscious about their appearance and will seek to improve this issue by having a gum contouring procedure performed.
Scaling and Root Planing (also known as deep teeth cleaning and deep gum cleaning) is a common method used to address periodontal disease. Scaling refers to the process of removing tartar that has accumulated, either on your teeth or below your gumline. Planing refers to the removal of tartar below the root line. When bacteria are allowed to settle on your teeth for too long, it will eventually mineralize and turn into tartar. The primary difference between plaque and tartar is that plaque can be removed by conventional brushing methods, whereas tartar will need to be removed through the efforts of your periodontist. It is important to schedule regular deep teeth cleaning and deep gum cleaning appointments to prevent periodontal disease from developing.
Schedule Your Visit Today
At ROOT™ Periodontal and Implant Center, we take your oral health seriously. That is why we provide expert services that are intended to return stability, strength, and beauty to your oral cavity. Whether it be through periodontal or implant care, we will restore both your smile and confidence.
If you would like to learn more about frenectomies and see if a frenectomy is right for you, schedule an appointment for a consultation today. We provide services at the following locations:
Carrollton: (972) 242-7603
Flower Mound: (972) 434-8050
Denton: (940) 566-7021
Frisco: (469) 489-ROOT
We look forward to meeting you and providing you with the expert care you need!