Pediatric dentistry is a dentistry branch that focuses on the management of dental health in children. Pediatric dentists help treat a lot of conditions that affect children. A frenectomy, also referred to as a frenotomy, can refer to any procedure that involves cutting or modifying binding tissue on the body. Frenectomy procedures are often common, particularly during the infant stage of life. Most times, the term refers to an oral procedure that helps resolve a tongue-tie or a lip tie. Read on to find out when your dentist may recommend a frenectomy.
In the mouth, the frenum is known to refer to a soft tissue piece connected to the gums and lips. If the frenum is either too tight or too short, it can interfere with speech development and breastfeeding. It can also end up interfering with swallowing. Here are the benefits of frenectomy procedures.
The lingual frenum connects individuals’ tongues to their mouths. Its length varies from one person to another. Sometimes, individuals are born with a lingual frenum that is very short. This shortened frenum can restrict the tongue’s movement. This condition is referred to as a tongue-tie or ankyloglossia.
Tongue-tie occurs in almost 5% of infants. During the infant years, a tongue-tie can interfere with breastfeeding. As a kid grows older, it can affect speech development. A procedure called a lingual frenectomy can help give the tongue a greater range of motion.
The labial frenum connects a person’s top lip to the gum region just above the front teeth. If this frenum ends up being shorter than average, it can cause difficulty when it comes to speech development. This condition is basically a type of lip adhesion. A lip adhesion also poses issues with dental development and makes it difficult to thoroughly clean the front teeth and gums. This not only raises the risk of gum diseases but also other dental complications. A maxillary frenectomy can help give a person’s upper lip more mobility.
Lip tie and tongue-tie are often identified in infants. Babies with these conditions are in some cases not efficient when it comes to breastfeeding. This can result in either weight loss or slow weight gain. A mother who is breastfeeding may experience more pain during feeding if the baby has a tongue-tie or lip tie. A frenectomy is usually easy to perform on an infant. A dentist or health care provider can perform a frenectomy in an office setting and complications and risks are usually minimal.
Having a frenum reduced either in length or size is a relatively simple procedure. It can be done at any age not only to improve oral health but also to promote a lifetime of smiles. Over the years, oral frenectomies have become increasingly common. Many people in the medical community believe that they can help with speech development and breastfeeding.
Releasing a tongue-tie or lip tie carries a minimal risk of infection or complications. It often starts healing up right away. Talk to your dentist if you suspect that your child has a tongue-tie or lip tie. You should also inquire about how pediatric dentistry can help your kid.
Request an appointment here: https://novapedsdentistry.com or call Nova Pediatric Dentistry at (201) 812-2952 for an appointment in our Dumont office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Pediatric Dentistry in Dumont, NJ.
Children, who are particularly prone to tooth decay, should brush their teeth twice a day and make regular visits to a pediatric dentist. These healthy habits can help reduce the risks of developing cavities and serious dental issues. Using fluoride toothpaste is also an important step in childhood dental care that can add an extra…
A pediatric root canal is sometimes necessary to prevent the loss of a decayed or damaged baby tooth. Although the goal is to prevent dental cavities and tooth infections, they can still develop, especially in young children (who, on average, are more prone to cavities than teens and adults). It is essential to quickly detect…
A pediatric dentist can help prevent tooth decay. Early dental checkups will enable the dentist to provide treatments that can make this possible. Your dentist can guide you and your child on how to keep teeth and gums healthy. Here are some effective tips on how to prevent childhood tooth decay straight from a pediatric…
Many parents neglect early cavity treatment for kids, as they may feel that it is not essential because the child’s teeth will eventually fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth, anyway. However, diagnosing and treating cavities in kids as early as possible is incredibly important. In this review, we discuss the reasons that early…
The main difference between children and adult dental care is the type of focus necessary…
Dental sealants are one of the most powerful preventive care treatments for kids. Because children…
Preventive dentistry is a valuable component of your child’s oral health. Young teeth need the…
Root canals have a bad reputation but pediatric dentists utilize modern methods and technology so…
Parents should provide their kids with a healthy diet to accompany their oral care routines…
One's teeth make it possible to eat, talk, and smile. Good dental habits start in…
