Frenulectomy | Post-Op Instructions

The muscles of the cheeks and lips are attached to the gums and tissue of the mouth by a piece of soft tissue called a frenum. Sometimes our Grand Rapids dentists may notice a frenum that is attached too high on the gums causing either recession or gaps between teeth.

In addition, there is another frenum under the tongue. If this frenum is attached too close to the end of the tongue it can adversely affect swallowing and speech. Sometimes this is referred to as being “tongue-tied”.

 

A frenectomy is a simple procedure where either part or all of the frenum in question is removed using a special dental laser in order to return a healthy balance to the mouth.

Post-Operative Instructions:

• When using the dental laser, post-operative discomfort is less severe than the traditional method however, some can still be expected. We recommend that you use ibuprofen to control the tenderness and use the same precautions you would for any other mouth irritation. If you do have any questions, please do not hesitate to call our Grand Rapids dental office.
• Avoid spicy, sour, or crusty food for 1 week.
• Carefully rinse the area for a few days after eating with a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of water or Peroxyl will reduce healing time. Initial healing occurs in 5-7 days.
• If any unusual gum bleeding or pain occurs, please call our dentists as soon as possible. We can more thoroughly address the issue in the office.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you or your child require laser dentistry to remove soft tissue located underneath the tongue or above the front teeth, we can help. To schedule an appointment with one of our Grand Rapids, MI, family dentists, call Contemporary Family Dental at (616) 209-3969, or contact us online.