That little band tying your tongue to the floor of your mouth—or your lip to the gums—can cause trouble if it’s too short, leading to tongue or lip tie. A lingual frenectomy snips it loose, whether it’s the floor of the mouth or the upper lip causing the snag.
How painful is a lingual frenectomy?
It’s not a horror show—local anesthesia keeps it comfortable. During the 15 minutes it takes, you might feel a tug or slight sting, but post-op soreness at the surgical site is mild, like a small cut.
What is the best age for lingual frenectomy?
Our pediatric dentists say that kids often get it young—think infancy to age 5—especially if speech development or feeding’s off. But adults with tongue ties or lip issues can benefit, too. There’s no “too late”—we tailor the types of frenectomy, like labial frenectomy or maxillary frenectomy, to your age and needs.
Does your tongue get longer after a frenectomy?
Not really—it just moves better. Clipping the lingual frenulum boosts range of motion, so your tongue movements feel freer, not longer. The connected tissue stops holding it back, and patients notice the difference without a tape measure.
Does a frenectomy change your smile?
It can tweak it, especially with a labial frenectomy on the upper lip. If the lip-to-gums tie pulls your smile tight, snipping it might lift or even it out. Tongue-to-the-floor fixes don’t shift teeth much, but we pair them with other care if your grin needs a boost.
Can you talk after a lingual frenectomy?
Yep, right after—though it might sound funny for a day or two. The surgical site might make your tongue movements feel odd, but speech development improves fast, especially in kids.
Does your face change after a frenectomy?
Not dramatically—think subtly. A freer range of motion from tongue or lip tie release might relax your jaw or mouth tension over time. Big face shifts? Rare. Our team focuses on function first, with any look changes as a bonus.
How long does a lingual frenectomy take to heal?
The healing process is quick—it takes about 1-2 weeks for the surgical site to settle. Full range of motion kicks in sooner, often days, with 15 minutes of care daily (like rinses).
What is the alternative to a frenectomy?
Sometimes, therapy—like speech or oral exercises—can stretch the lingual frenulum enough. But if the connected tissue is too tight, alternatives fall short. Maxillary or labial frenectomy is the gold standard when a tongue tie or lip limits life—we weigh all options.
How common is reattachment after frenectomy?
Reattachment is rare but possible if the surgical site scars too much—think under 5% of cases. Stretching exercises during recovery time cut that risk. Our pediatric dentists and the team can help you keep that tongue to the floor free for good.
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