Improve Oral Function and Your Overall Oral Health with a Laser Frenectomy
When the frenulum in your mouth are overly large, they can cause a host of problems, including dental misalignment, speech impediments, and more. If you or your child is suffering from any of these concerns, Dr. Jose Valenzuela, Jr., may recommend a frenectomy at his Los Algodones, Baja California, Mexico, practice. During this minimally invasive procedure, he will quickly trim excess tissue to reduce the size of your frenulum. At Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry Center, we proudly use state-of-the-art soft tissue lasers. With this technology, your treatment can be simpler, safer, and more effective.
When Do We Recommend a Frenectomy?
There are two types of frenectomies: labial and lingual. A labial frenectomy will address the frenulum below your upper lip that connects to your gums. If this tag of skin is too large, it can cause a gap to develop between your two front teeth. In some cases, your shifting front teeth can affect the overall alignment of your smile. After trimming your frenulum, Dr. Valenzuela will often recommend Invisalign® or an alternative cosmetic treatment to close the gap. A tight labial frenulum can also pull on your gum tissue, which can cause gum recession. A labial frenectomy can reduce this problem, protect your teeth, prevent dental sensitivity, and preserve your beautiful smile. In some cases, Dr. Valenzuela may recommend a labial frenectomy to improve the fit of dentures or to ready your teeth for orthodontic treatment.
When the frenulum in your mouth are overly large, they can cause a host of problems, including dental misalignment, speech impediments, and more.
A lingual frenectomy will reduce the frenulum at the floor of your mouth which connects to your tongue. When this band of skin is too large, it can impair tongue movement. Enlarged lingual frenula are most often seen in young children. As a result, your child may have difficulty nursing or pronounced speech impediments, a condition often referred to as “tongue-tie.” A quick surgical procedure can improve your infant’s nutrition as well as make breastfeeding more comfortable for you.

The Frenectomy Procedure
Prior to your frenectomy, Dr. Valenzuela will numb your frenulum and the surrounding part of your mouth. Then he will trim away unwanted tissue with a diode laser. This advanced surgical device offers numerous benefits. First, it is incredibly precise, so your dentist can perform a minimally invasive surgery in as little as ten minutes. Second, the laser will seal your blood vessels during surgery. As a result, you should experience virtually no bleeding, and there is typically no need for stitches. Most importantly, with laser technology, your treatment will be incredibly safe. Lasers kill bacteria on contact, decreasing your risk for infection after the procedure.
Recovering from a Frenectomy
Thanks to our precise techniques and technology, recovery from a frenectomy is typically very easy. Nonetheless, it is not uncommon to experience some minor sensitivity and irritation for a few days. Dr. Valenzuela can prescribe mild anti-inflammatories to ease discomfort. You should also use an antibacterial mouthwash or saline solution as you are healing. Finally, we may suggest some temporary modifications to your activities and diet. Initially, you should avoid strenuous exercise, as this could cause the surgical site to reopen. You may also need to eat a soft diet, eliminating spicy foods, nuts, seeds, and other irritants until you have made a full recovery. When you follow these instructions, you should enjoy complete oral function, improved dental health, and a beautiful smile after just a few days.
Contact Our Office Today
To find out if a frenectomy is right for you or your child, contact our office online today. You can also call our office at (866) 838-5148 if you have any questions about laser dentistry or you would like to schedule a consultation.