Frenulum plastic

The frenulum of the tongue is a small fold of tissue that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Sometimes, the frenulum can be shorter or tighter, a condition known as "tongue-tie." This condition can interfere with normal functions such as speech, eating, and oral hygiene. Tongue-tie surgery is a procedure aimed at modifying the frenulum to improve the tongue's mobility and functionality. Specialists at MM "Dobrobut" employ modern technologies to swiftly address this problem.

When to See a Doctor

If a child or adult experiences the following symptoms, it may be advisable to consult a doctor regarding tongue-tie correction:

Difficulty sticking out the tongue past the lower front teeth.
Restricted tongue movement affecting speech clarity.
Breastfeeding difficulties in infants, such as latch issues.
Difficulty licking ice cream or playing wind instruments.
Problems with pronouncing certain sounds.
Dental issues related to restricted tongue movement.

Early evaluation can help effectively resolve these issues and prevent complications.

Indications and Contraindications for Frenulum Surgery

Indications for Frenulum Surgery:

Diagnosed short frenulum affecting functions such as feeding or speech.
Recurring oral hygiene problems due to restricted tongue movement.
Obstructive sleep apnea (spontaneous breathing interruptions) related to a short frenulum.
Speech problems that may result from limited tongue mobility.

Contraindications:

In some cases, frenulum clipping may not be possible. This includes the presence of an infection in the oral cavity that requires treatment before the surgery or if the patient has severe blood clotting disorders. The surgery is also not performed if teenagers or adults have adequately adapted to this feature.

Detailed evaluation of oral anatomy and function at the Dobrobut clinic will help determine the necessity of the procedure.

Diagnosis of the Need for the Procedure

Diagnostic measures to determine the need for tongue-tie correction include a physical examination assessing tongue mobility and frenulum flexibility, speech tests conducted by a speech therapist to identify articulation issues, and feeding analysis in infants by observing the breastfeeding process. Based on the diagnostics, a final decision is made on frenulum surgery.

Preparation

Preparation for frenulum surgery is straightforward. Before clipping the frenulum of a child or adult, a preoperative consultation is provided to discuss the procedure and post-operation expectations, routine blood tests as part of the examination, instructions regarding food and drink restrictions prior to the surgery, and post-operative care recommendations, including dietary adjustments.

How the Procedure is Performed

Frenulum surgery is usually a quick and safe procedure performed within 15-30 minutes:

The type of anesthesia used is chosen based on the patient's age and anxiety level; local anesthesia or general anesthesia may be used. In infants up to 9-12 months, the frenulum is not sensitive, so it can be clipped without anesthesia.
The surgeon makes a precise cut to release or relax the frenulum.
After the procedure, the cut is usually closed with self-dissolving stitches that do not require removal.
Post-operative monitoring.

Recovery

Recovery from frenulum surgery is relatively quick. To expedite the process and prevent complications, the doctor’s instructions should be followed:

If the patient feels mild discomfort or swelling, over-the-counter pain relievers can be taken.
Special light exercises might be prescribed to improve tongue mobility.
Initially, a soft diet is advisable to avoid irritation at the surgery site.
Follow-up visits to the doctor should be made as scheduled.
Most patients return to normal activities within a few days.

Complications

Complications are rare but may include minor bleeding or infection at the incision site, risk of scar formation which may affect tongue function if not monitored.

Prevention

Preventing the development of a short frenulum is challenging, so preventive measures focus on early detection and timely intervention. This can be achieved through regular pediatric check-ups, speech therapy consultations, and visiting a doctor if there are signs of oral function issues.

For more detailed information or to schedule a consultation, contact the Dobrobut clinic via the contact center phone numbers or through the website form.