Frenectomies

A frenectomy is a procedure to remove a frenulum, or muscular attachment between two tissues, from the mouth.  Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS performs frenectomies to correct issues patients have with their gums, teeth, tongue and lips. 

We each have a frenulum between both the upper and lower front teeth.  This connects the gums to the inside of the lips. When this frenulum is short, it can pull at the gum line and cause gum recession.  The frenectomy procedure can be done quickly in the office with local anesthesia.  Once the gums are numb, a scalpel or laser tool is used to remove the frenulum.  This usually takes less than 15 minutes and patients only feel slight discomfort after the procedure.

Another frenulum is located underneath the tongue, and removing this is called a lingual frenectomy.  A very short or thick frenulum underneath the tongue can inhibit breastfeeding, and interrupt speech development.  Lingual frenectomies are performed when a patient is very young, and under general anesthesia.  These patients can heal quickly and continue to develop their speech.

To learn more about frenectomies and all the services we provide, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

Frenectomy for Lip Tie and Tongue Tie

Lip tie and tongue tie can cause major problems for babies and the troubles can continue all the way through adulthood. Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS of Enid, OK performs frenectomies to release the lips or tongue and allow them to heal with more range.

The frenectomy is performed here in our office and often, only a local anesthetic is needed to numb the area. The tight or short frenulum that is limiting range of the tongue or lips is detached with a minor cut. The frenulum is then allowed to heal. The end result will be a tongue or lips with more range. The procedure is quick, often performed in less than fifteen minutes.

When a tightened or shortened frenulum causes the lips or tongue limited motion, this causes immediate difficulties for nursing babies. They are unable to latch correctly and will suffer from low weight, delayed development, and digestion problems, among other issues. The mothers also suffer through blockage and injury to their milk ducts. Later on in life in childhood or adulthood, lip tie and tongue tie can affect speech, eating, and cleanliness. It can also interfere with activities like playing a wind instrument, singing, whistling, and kissing.

Lip tie or tongue tie can cause major problems, but fortunately, there is a simple solution. Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS performs this right in our Enid, OK dental office. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Morehart, call our office at (580) 237-2213 or visit our website, www.eniddentalcare.com.