Frenectomy in Calabasas
A small fold of tissue can have an outsized effect on how a mouth works. A frenum is the band of soft tissue that connects your lip or tongue to your gums or the floor of your mouth. When one is unusually tight, short, or thick, it can restrict movement, pull on the gums, or get in the way of other dental care. A frenectomy releases or removes that tissue. Our team at 805 Dentistry performs this procedure for children and adults, and many Calabasas families include our Thousand Oaks office in their regular dental care.
A frenectomy is a minor procedure that frees a restrictive frenum so the lip or tongue can move more naturally. The two most common areas are the lingual frenum, beneath the tongue, and the labial frenum, which connects the upper or lower lip to the gums. When the tongue is tethered too tightly, people often call it "tongue-tie." When the upper lip attachment is prominent, it may sit between the front teeth.
The procedure itself is typically brief. After the area is numbed, the tight tissue is carefully released. Because our office offers laser dentistry, we can talk with you about whether a laser approach suits your situation, along with any other options. We explain our recommendation and what the visit will involve before we begin.
A tight frenum can affect several parts of daily life and dental health, and releasing it can help in a number of situations. We often see patients and parents from Calabasas who have noticed one or more of these concerns:
- Limited tongue movement that makes certain speech sounds or eating feel awkward
- An upper lip attachment that sits between the front teeth where a gap is present
- A lower lip frenum that pulls on the gumline, which can contribute to gum concerns
- Tissue that interferes with orthodontic treatment, dentures, or comfortable brushing
Because our office brings together general dentistry, orthodontics, and periodontics, a frenectomy rarely happens in isolation. If a frenum is affecting a gap during braces or clear aligner treatment, or tugging on the gums, we can coordinate the procedure with the rest of your care instead of sending you elsewhere. For Calabasas patients, that means fewer offices to keep track of and one team who knows your history.
Who is a good candidate for a frenectomy?
A good candidate is anyone whose frenum is restricting movement or affecting their teeth, gums, or dental treatment, and we confirm this with an exam. Not every visible frenum needs treatment, so we start by evaluating how the tissue behaves when you move your lip and tongue and how it relates to your teeth and gums.
We see a wide range of ages. Our pediatric care includes children ages 4 to 14, and parents are welcome in the treatment room, which many families find reassuring. Adults also come to us, sometimes after years of noticing a tight tongue or gum recession near a lip attachment. If you are already in orthodontic treatment, or getting ready for it, we may suggest timing the frenectomy around that plan.
What happens during the procedure, and is it uncomfortable?
Most patients find the procedure very manageable because the area is fully numbed first. We review your health history, examine the frenum, and walk you through each step. The release itself is quick, and we let you know what we are doing as we go.
For patients who feel anxious about dental work, our office has a board-certified dental anesthesiologist on staff and offers nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. We can discuss whether one of these options makes sense for you or your child. Having these choices in-house is one reason Calabasas families feel comfortable bringing nervous patients to us.
How do I care for the area afterward?
Plan on keeping the area clean and following the specific instructions we give you at the end of your visit. Some tenderness is common for a short time, and softer foods can help in the first few days. We explain how to brush and rinse carefully around the treated site.
Depending on whether the lip or tongue was treated, we may show you or your child simple movements to practice during healing. If anything seems unusual or you have questions, call our office. We also offer emergency dental appointments when something needs prompt attention.
How can I pay for a frenectomy?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans, welcome self-pay patients, and offer financing. Before your procedure, our team reviews your coverage and explains your estimated costs so you know what to expect.
If you or your child has a tight lip or tongue attachment, contact 805 Dentistry to schedule an evaluation. Dr. Dar Radfar and our team are glad to care for patients from Calabasas and to answer your questions about whether a frenectomy is the right next step.