Frenuloplasty of the upper and lower lip and tongue tie
Treatment areas
About the service
Пластика уздечки
The frenulum is a fold of mucous membrane. When the lips close, the lip should fully cover the teeth while in no way restricting their mobility. But if the frenulum is too short or has an abnormal attachment, the work of the dental and jaw system is disrupted. This problem often makes itself known at a very young age or begins to show when the central incisors erupt. Frenuloplasty in a child solves this problem.
Attachment of the upper lip frenulum to the gum at a distance of 5–8 millimetres from the necks of the incisors is considered normal. Frenulum anomalies are diagnosed during examination. Depending on how pronounced the problem is, lip frenuloplasty in a child may be required almost immediately after birth. The procedure has no age limits. The most common indications for frenuloplasty are:
- A large gap between the front teeth (diastema)
- Problems chewing food
- Impaired sucking function in young children
- Inflammatory processes in the tissues of the gum and periodontium
- Various speech defects
- Malocclusion
In infancy, anomalies of the upper lip frenulum directly affect the process of sucking. The frenulum plays no less a role in this process than the tongue. As a result, problems with breastfeeding, underfeeding and delayed growth of the child are possible. Outwardly this shows as follows: during feeding the child swallows air, shows signs of reflux, is irritable, milk leaks from the mouth, and feeding itself takes very long. At other times the child's lips are constantly pressed together.
In older children, frenulum anomalies also sometimes disrupt the chewing of food, which has a negative effect on the digestive system. Another unpleasant consequence is speech impairment (often difficulty pronouncing vowels and labial sounds). This anomaly is identified by a speech therapist. They usually also recommend frenuloplasty. As for aesthetics, the tension of the mucous membrane due to a shortened or overly thick frenulum creates a diastema — a large gap between the front teeth.
In general, the frenulum can significantly affect the formation of the entire row of teeth. And as a result, bite correction will be required. That's why the surgery is often carried out precisely during the change from baby teeth to permanent ones.
- Diseases affecting blood clotting
- Conditions of the oral mucosa and connective tissue (collagenosis)
- Osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone tissue)
- Malignant tumours
- Autoimmune diseases and immunodeficiency
- A tendency to form keloid scars
- Infections and chronic diseases in the acute stage
Sometimes lower lip frenuloplasty is required. The children's dentist identifies the indications for it.
#FORM_CALL#Preparatory stage
It includes a visual examination by the dentist of the child's whole mouth. If necessary, professional teeth cleaning is carried out and decay is treated. Any operation, even the most minor, must be performed without sources of inflammation in the mouth.
Surgery
The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia and with minimal tissue trauma. For the child's maximum comfort, the surgery can be carried out under sedation. A traditional scalpel or a laser may be used. Depending on the clinical picture, various approaches are practised:
- Frenotomy (the cut is made across, which is appropriate for a very short frenulum)
- Frenectomy (the incision is made lengthways. This type of correction is usually indicated for patients with a wide frenulum)
- Frenuloplasty (when the frenulum doesn't match the norm, the attachment point is changed surgically).
Self-absorbing sutures are placed if necessary (if lip frenuloplasty is done with a laser, the child does not need stitches).
Laser frenuloplasty in a child makes it possible to carry out the correction quickly and as safely as possible. As it acts on the tissue, the laser device instantly seals the walls of the vessels while also disinfecting them. After laser upper frenuloplasty in children, bleeding and wound infection are ruled out.
Recovery takes no more than 4–5 days. Slight swelling and tenderness remain for a few hours after the operation. Eating is allowed after 2–3 hours. As a rule, a follow-up examination with the doctor is scheduled for the 2nd–3rd day after the procedure.
After upper lip frenuloplasty, the child should not have very hot or cold food that can irritate the mucous membrane. It is also necessary to rinse the mouth with antiseptic and wound-healing solutions (prescribed by the children's dentist). If needed, special exercises are practised (myogymnastics). They are designed to prevent scarring of the tissue.
The change in speech happens almost immediately after the operation. As for the diastema, the gap closes after some time. However, it is possible that orthodontic treatment will be needed to correct the smile.
With upper lip frenuloplasty in children, the price is determined by the surgical method, the complexity of the case and the anaesthesia method. Lip frenuloplasty can be performed under local anaesthesia, under sedation or under general anaesthesia. You can review the current prices for lip frenuloplasty at our clinic here.
#FORM_CALL#Удаление временного зуба (повышенной сложности) / А16.07.001.001.101
5 080 ₽
Удаление временного зуба (простое) / А16.07.001.001.001
4 240 ₽
Удаление временного зуба (сложное; 2 категории) / А16.07.001.001.102
8 710 ₽
Удаление временного зуба (сложное) / А16.07.001.001.002
7 260 ₽
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