Frenuloplasty
Frenuloplasty in children and adults is a standard, minimally invasive procedure in the field of dental surgery performed at the Luxdentica Dental Center in Krakow. In each case, the need for a frenuloplasty procedure is determined by a dentist in consultation with a dental surgeon.
Frenuloplasty – when is it worth undergoing this procedure and what does the treatment look like?
Dentistry is not only about procedures related to the teeth themselves. Lately, we also hear quite often about performing various procedures in the field of dental surgery.
Frenulectomy is one of the most frequently performed, and at the same time, least invasive dental surgery procedures. Modern dentistry allows it to be carried out quickly, painlessly, and with an immediate improvement in oral cavity function. This procedure is performed on both children and adults – in every age group, its benefits are significant and translate into daily life comfort and health.
What is a frenulum and what role does it play?
Frenulums are thin folds of mucous membrane in the oral cavity, made of connective tissue. The most important of them are:
frenulum of the upper lip – connects the inner surface of the lip with the gum,
frenulum of the lower lip – stabilizes the lower lip,
frenulum of the tongue – attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
The appropriate length, flexibility, and correct position of these structures are crucial for functions such as sucking, speech, swallowing, chewing, as well as for the aesthetics of the dentition and the comfort of daily hygiene.
When should a frenulum undercut be performed?
Indications for frenulectomy include a variety of problems – in both children and adults
in infants: a short lingual frenulum hinders breastfeeding, leads to insufficient weight gain, and causes feeding difficulties;
in children: an abnormal tongue or lip frenulum can cause delays in speech development, speech defects, and contribute to the formation of a diastema (a gap between the incisors);
in adults: hypertrophy or abnormal attachment of the frenulum can cause gum recession, hinder orthodontic treatment, and create difficulties with prosthetics or oral hygiene.
Additionally, an abnormal frenulum can be the cause of more frequent injuries, hypersensitivity, and recurring inflammation in the oral cavity.
How is the frenulum lingual release performed?
The frenulum undercut procedure (frenotomy or frenuloplasty) is short and performed on an outpatient basis, under local anesthesia or – in particularly young children or highly anxious patients – general anesthesia. In our clinic, we often use laser technology, which guarantees even greater precision, minimizes bleeding, and significantly shortens the recovery period.
Stages of the procedure:
Consultation and diagnostics – the doctor assesses the length, thickness, and attachment of the frenulum and qualifies the patient for the procedure.
Anesthesia – depending on age and needs, we use local, infiltrative, or general anesthesia.
Frenulum cutting and plastic surgery – the dental surgeon precisely cuts the frenulum and, if necessary, applies small sutures, restoring the proper length and flexibility of the tissues.
Post-treatment recommendations – the patient receives detailed instructions regarding hygiene, diet, and tongue or lip exercises (especially in children) that support proper healing and a quick return to full function.
What are the benefits of a frenulum undercutting?
In infants: improvement in breastfeeding or bottle-feeding efficiency, better weight gain, elimination of painful irritation in the nursing mother.
In children: possibility of improving speech development and articulation, support for orthodontic treatment (closure of diastema), easier hygiene maintenance and prevention of tooth decay.
In adults: reduced risk of periodontitis, improved comfort of prosthetics, elimination of hypersensitivity or trauma, improvement of oral aesthetics and function.
Frenuloplasty is an investment in health, self-confidence, and proper development – the effects are often visible immediately after the procedure.
Post-treatment care after frenuloplasty – what should you keep in mind?
Healing after the procedure is usually very fast, but requires following a few rules:
During the first few days, it is advisable to avoid hot and spicy foods and to maintain gentle hygiene of the treatment site.
Speech therapy exercises (e.g., lifting the tongue to the palate) are recommended, which accelerate the recovery of full mobility.
A check-up with the dentist or surgeon takes place after a few days or a week – the doctor will assess the healing and, if necessary, remove the stitches.
In case of discomfort or swelling, cold compresses and mild pain relievers prescribed by your doctor can be used.
Thanks to the experience of the Luxdentica team and modern technologies, our patients return to full activity very quickly, without complications or unnecessary stress.
Why is it worth trusting the specialists at Luxdentica?
At Luxdentica, every patient – from infants to adults – can count on individual care, the highest standard of safety, and a friendly atmosphere. We constantly upgrade our team's qualifications, follow global innovations, and invest in the latest equipment to provide you with the best possible dental care. We care about the mental and physical comfort of our patients – especially the youngest ones, for whom every visit to the dentist is an important experience.
If you want to learn more about what the frenuloplasty procedure looks like in our clinic, how to prepare your child for the visit, or what results you can achieve thanks to this simple procedure – schedule a consultation at Luxdentica. Your health, speech, comfort, and beautiful smile are our priority!
Frequently Asked Questions – frenuloplasty (FAQ)
What does the frenulum release procedure involve?
A frenulum release, also known as a frenotomy or frenuloplasty, is a short and minimally invasive procedure that involves a delicate incision of the mucous membrane that restricts the mobility of the tongue or lip. This results in better oral function – freer speech, sucking, chewing, or hygiene. In modern clinics, the procedure is often performed using a laser, which minimizes bleeding and accelerates healing.
When should a frenulum release be performed?
Indications for a frenulum release include:
feeding difficulties in infants,
delays or disorders in speech development,
visible diastema (a gap between the upper front teeth),
difficulties with oral hygiene,
receding gums or exposed tooth roots,
problems with fitting braces or dentures,
discomfort or pain during tongue or lip movements.
Is the frenulum release procedure painful?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia (in children, sometimes also general anesthesia or with the use of sedation). Thanks to this, it is practically painless. After the procedure, there may be slight discomfort or mild swelling, but the symptoms quickly subside.
How long does the frenulum release procedure take and how does recovery go?
The procedure itself usually takes a few minutes. The patient, including a child, can return to daily activities almost immediately after the visit. Healing of the site after the procedure takes from a few days to about a week – during this time, you should take care of gentle oral hygiene, avoid spicy and very hot foods, and follow the doctor's recommendations.
Is a frenulum release safe?
Yes. It is a routine procedure that has been performed for years in both children and adults. In modern clinics, such as Luxdentica, the procedure is carried out by experienced dentists and dental surgeons while maintaining all safety standards.
What are the benefits of a frenulum release?
The procedure immediately improves the quality of life:
enables proper sucking in infants,
improves pronunciation and articulation in children,
supports the closing of diastema (gaps between teeth),
facilitates orthodontic or prosthetic treatment,
limits receding gums,
allows for better oral hygiene.
Is rehabilitation or exercises needed after a frenulum release?
In many cases – especially in children – simple speech therapy or mobility exercises for the tongue and lips are recommended, which help to regain full mobility faster and support speech development. The doctor or speech therapist will instruct on which exercises are most advisable.
Can the procedure be performed on anyone?
The frenulum release procedure can be performed on infants, children, adolescents, and adults. Contraindications are rare and mainly concern inflammation or serious blood clotting disorders. Every case is qualified for the procedure by a doctor during an individual consultation.
Does the frenulum release procedure need to be repeated?
In most cases, a single procedure is sufficient to obtain permanent improvement in function. Sometimes, if the frenulum heals incorrectly or mobility restrictions remain, a minor correction is necessary, but these are exceptional situations.
Why is it worth having a frenulum release in a specialized clinic?
A modern clinic guarantees the highest standard of safety, the use of the best technologies (e.g., laser), full diagnostics, and the care of experienced specialists – which translates into the effectiveness of the treatment, fast healing, and patient comfort at every stage.
