Frenectomies

At Creditview Dental in Mississauga, our dentists perform frenectomies to remove a frenum when it is limiting movement in the mouth, most commonly in babies and children.

Types of Frenums

A frenum is a small piece of tissue that connects your cheeks, tongue or lips to your gum area. The restriction of any of these frenums is a natural condition that babies are born with.

• Lingual Frenum (Tongue Tie)

  Lingual frenum is the tissue that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth. When this frenum restricts movement in the mouth, it’s referred to as a tongue tie.

• Labial Frenum (Lip Tie)

  Labial frenum is the tissue that connects the lips to the bottom of your upper and lower gums. When this frenum restricts movement in the mouth, it’s referred to as a lip tie.

• Buccal Frenum (Cheek Tie)

  Buccal frenum is the tissue that connects the gums to the inside of the cheeks. When this frenum restricts movement in the mouth, it’s referred to as a cheek tie. 

The Procedure

A frenectomy procedure usually lasts only 10 to 15 minutes, where your dentist will cut the frenum to free the tongue, lip or cheek.

Recovery generally takes about two weeks, during which time the patient may receive pain medication to help with any soreness.

Proper aftercare procedures include keeping the area clean and avoiding unnecessary movement of the tongue.