frenectomy eagle and meridian idaho

What Is A Frenectomy?

A laser frenectomy (also known as laser frenulectomy or laser frenotomy) is the laser excision of the lingual frenulum, a small fold of tissue under the tongue that prevents movement. A laser frenectomy can be performed with a soft-tissue laser.

A frenectomy is a surgical procedure that removes or loosens a band of muscle tissue connected to the lip, cheek, or floor of the mouth. It is usually performed under local anesthetic with uneventful healing.

Indications for an adult laser frenectomy include:


  • Dental hygiene issues
  • Space between teeth
  • Speech problems
  • Gingival recession
  • As part of sleep apnea therapy
  • Other unlisted indications

Indications for a baby laser frenectomy include:


  • Baby's inability to latch on to the mother's breast
  • Failure to thrive (poor weight gain)
  • Inability to stimulate milk production through vigorous nursing, which results in a low milk supply and/or termination of breastfeeding
  • Improper tongue mobility may inhibit infant’s swallow
  • Colic
  • Reflux
  • Longer, more frequent feedings
  • Sleep deprivation for mother and infant due to frequent feedings
  • Speech development difficulties

Patients have reported less postoperative pain and better function (in the first 7 days after surgery) than frenectomies performed with a scalpel. For laser infant frenectomies, the patient is typically able to feed 30-60 minutes after the surgery with improved latch and noticeable relief in the mother’s breast pain.

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