Lingual Frenectomy

A surgical procedure that removes the tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the bottom of the mouth, a lingual frenectomy denton can be used to treat patients suffering from an abnormal or short frenulum.  Because the tongue is so important for the mechanisms involved with speech and swallowing, children born with a short frenulum often have difficulty eating, speaking, and could suffer from dental problems.  Babies can have trouble nursing making weight gain difficult.  Patients suffering from this condition, known formally as ankyloglossia, are often referred to as being tongue-tied.

The Lingual Frenectomy Procedure

After an initial consultation prior to the day of surgery, the physician will provide instructions to prepare for the procedure.  Depending on if anesthesia will be used or not, patients may be required to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before the procedure.  Any prescriptions that will be needed while recovering from the surgery are advised to be filled beforehand so that they are ready once the patient returns home.

If a local anesthetic is used, the procedure begins by numbing the area around the frenulum.  When performed on a child, anesthesia is often not necessary because the tissue contains very few nerves.  Once the area has been numbed, the surgeon will use either a scalpel or laser to make a small cut to the frenulum to free up the tongue.  After the frenulum has been cut, removable or dissolvable sutures (stitches) will be placed to close the wound and aid in the healing process.  The procedure can performed in either a dental office or hospital and generally only takes a few minutes to complete.  Results are almost immediate but if local anesthesia is used, patients may have to wait a few hours for the anesthetic to wear off before noticing results.

Recovery Process

Recovery from lingual frenectomy surgery generally takes about a week but some patients may be able to resume normal activities in a few days.  After surgery, the doctor may prescribe pain medicine to relieve any pain and swelling during the recovery process.  Any bleeding at the surgical site can be treated by gently pressing against the area with sterile gauze pads until the bleeding stops.  Children who undergo the surgery should not be placed on their stomach as this can put pressure on the jaw and interfere with healing.  During the first 24 hours post-surgery, patients should avoid rinsing their mouth but after a day, rinsing with salt water several times per day is advised to keep the area clean.  A week after the procedure, a follow up meeting with the surgeon will be needed to ensure no complications.

Risks and Possible Side Effects

Lingual frenectomies are typically well tolerated but as with any surgical procedure, there is the potential for side effects.  Some patients can have reactions to the anesthesia so if there are known allergies to anesthesia, patients should advise the doctor prior to surgery.  Other side effects can include bleeding at the surgery site, infection, pain, swelling, and nerve damage to the tongue or mouth.  Should any of these be noticed in the days after surgery, patients should consult their doctor to rule out any serious complications.

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