Lingual Frenectomy is a surgical procedure performed by a dentist. It is performed for several reasons, including tooth alignment, crowding, and excessive sensitivity. This procedure is performed on young children to prevent recurrences. While frenectomy is considered an effective preventive measure for young children, it has also been accused of overdoing it. Generally, children with mixed dentition have gaps between their teeth.
The lingual frenum is the band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth. It varies in length between individuals and is responsible for some tongue-tie issues. Because of its importance, lingual frenectomy can help relieve these symptoms. The procedure can be performed as early as the first few weeks of life, but is typically recommended for patients with limited movement of the tongue. This surgery is effective for removing tongue-tie and can improve overall speech and chewing function.