Lip- and tongue-ties are becoming more well-known, but there can still be some confusion surrounding these two oral health conditions. It doesn’t help when terms like “frenectomy” and “frenotomy” look and sound almost the same!
To be clear, a frenectomy and a frenotomy are both treatments that can address lip- and tongue-ties. Dental lasers can also be used during both procedures to improve comfort and recovery times. There is, however, one key difference. Keep reading to learn what it is and why a specialist might recommend one over the other.
What Is A Frenum/Frenulum?
Unlike frenectomies and frenotomies, the words “frenum” and “frenulum” can be used interchangeably. They also happen to be where frenectomies and frenotomies get their names from. A “frenum” is a strand of connective tissue that attaches the tongue and lips to the mouth.
Sometimes, the frenum can be too tight or thick, which restricts how much the tongue or lips can move. This creates the lip- and tongue-ties that can impair speech, make breastfeeding hard or uncomfortable for infants, or cause other developmental delays.
Frenectomies Vs. Frenotomies
A frenectomy removes restrictive frenum entirely. Your lip- and tongue-tie specialist in Phillipsburg will use a dental laser to gently cut the frenum and free up oral movement.
A frenotomy only partially cuts the frenum. Instead of removing all of the connective tissue causing the lip- or tongue-tie, a specialist will make a small cut, releasing tension in the frenum and allowing it to stretch or relax.
As you can see, the difference between a frenectomy and a frenotomy has to do with the treatment method. For all intents and purposes, the results are the same.
Figuring Out Which Treatment You or Your Child Needs
Generally speaking, frenectomies are recommended in more severe cases. If you or your child’s lip/tongue-tie is mild, a frenotomy could be all that’s needed. Patients with a history of speech delays, gum sensitivity, or orthodontic issues are more likely to be diagnosed with a “severe” lip/tongue-tie, but even a “mild” tie can cause difficulties and discomfort.
At the end of the day, the best way to know which treatment is best is to consult with a lip- and tongue-tie specialist. No matter which option is recommended, you can rest assured that the process is quick and relatively painless.
About the Author
Dr. Garcia-DeMartino is a proud member of the Academy of Children’s Dentistry and the Academy of Laser Dentistry. Her background in gum therapy and oral surgery made her training in lip- and tongue-ties feel quite natural, and today, Dr. Garcia-DeMartino is able to remove or cut restrictive frenum in a matter of minutes. If you suspect you or your child has a lip- or tongue-tie, contact Dr. Garcia-DeMartino’s office at 908-840-8399 and schedule an appointment today.