Frenectomy in Westlake Village
A small fold of tissue can have an outsized effect on daily life. When the band connecting your lip or tongue to your gums is too tight or attached in the wrong spot, it can make speaking, eating, brushing, or keeping a tooth gap closed after braces surprisingly difficult. At 805 Dentistry, we help children and adults from Westlake Village resolve these issues with a frenectomy, a brief procedure that releases restrictive tissue so the mouth can move and function more comfortably.
A frenum is a thin strip of soft tissue that anchors one part of the mouth to another. The two most familiar are the lingual frenum, which runs from the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth, and the labial frenum, which connects the inside of the upper or lower lip to the gums between the front teeth. Everyone has them. Problems arise only when a frenum is unusually short, thick, or attached too close to the teeth.
A frenectomy removes or releases that tissue. When the tongue is restricted, people often call it "tongue-tie." When the upper lip is affected, it may be called "lip-tie." In either case, our goal is the same: to free up movement and relieve the strain the tissue places on the teeth and gums.
For many of our Westlake Village patients, the main appeal is convenience. As a family practice, we see patients of all ages, so a child's frenectomy and a parent's routine cleaning can both be handled by the same team. Our office provides general, pediatric, orthodontic, periodontic, and oral surgery care, which is useful because frenum concerns often overlap with these areas.
That overlap matters in practice. A tight upper lip frenum can be connected to a gap between the front teeth, so coordinating with orthodontic care can be helpful. A frenum that tugs on the gums may relate to gum health, which our periodontic team understands well. Keeping these conversations under one roof means fewer referrals for families coming from Westlake Village.
Who is a good candidate for a frenectomy?
A good candidate is anyone whose frenum is limiting normal movement or causing problems with the teeth or gums. We evaluate each case individually during an exam, because a frenum that looks prominent does not always need treatment.
Situations where we may recommend a frenectomy include:
- A tongue that has trouble lifting, extending, or moving side to side
- Difficulty with certain speech sounds related to tongue movement
- A gap between the upper front teeth tied to a low-attached lip frenum
- Tissue that pulls on the gumline and makes brushing uncomfortable
- Interference with orthodontic treatment, dentures, or other dental work
Children ages 4 through 14 can be seen through our pediatric dentistry care, and parents are welcome in the treatment room. Adults are also good candidates, since many people live for years with a restriction before learning it can be addressed.
What happens during the procedure?
The procedure is usually quick and done right in our office. We begin with a careful exam and talk through what we see, why treatment may help, and what to expect, so there are no surprises.
On treatment day, we numb the area to keep you comfortable, then release or remove the restrictive tissue. Laser dentistry is among the services we offer, and we will discuss the approach that suits your situation. For patients who feel anxious, we offer sedation options, including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation, with a board-certified dental anesthesiologist on our team.
What is recovery like after a frenectomy?
Recovery is generally straightforward, with most of the work being gentle care at home. We give every patient clear aftercare instructions before they leave, and our team is available if questions come up.
You may notice some tenderness for a short period. Soft foods, careful brushing near the area, and following any exercises we recommend for tongue or lip movement help healing go smoothly. If something feels off, call us. We offer emergency dental appointments, which offers peace of mind for families heading home to Westlake Village.
How can I pay for a frenectomy?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans, welcome self-pay patients, and offer financing. Our team will review your options with you before treatment begins so you understand your costs up front.
Coverage depends on your specific plan, so we encourage you to bring your insurance information to your consultation. If you are paying out of pocket or prefer to spread out costs, financing can make treatment more manageable. Led by Dr. Dar Radfar, our team aims to make getting care as simple as possible. If you or your child are dealing with a tight frenum, we welcome you to schedule a visit with us.