What Is Frenectomy and What Does It Treat?
A frenectomy, also called a frenulectomy, is a common procedure that aims to treat tongue tie. A frenectomy is essentially removing the soft tissue called a frenulum – a small piece of connective tissue that keeps two areas of tissue close together. While there is more than one frenulum in your mouth, it is the lingual frenulum that usually causes trouble and results in the need for frenectomy. This is the tissue that connects the tongue and the bottom of the oral cavity.
Tongue Tie - Causes and Symptoms
When the lingual frenulum is too short, the condition called tongue tie is developed. The tongue is attached to the bottom of the mouth, which leads to numerous problems. About 5% of infants are born with a tongue tie. The condition occurs simply due to irregularities in fetal development as the frenulum is supposed to get thinner and shrink as a fetus develops.
When it comes to symptoms of tongue ties, the most prominent issue is difficulty latching while breastfeeding. This can cause breastfeeding to last longer, and the baby can still be hungry, which may lead to difficulty gaining weight. Later on, tongue ties can cause problems with speech development, such as the inability to speak clearly.
