The frenum
Frenum is a piece of soft tissue that runs in a line between, and connects, the lips and gums. In some circumstances, this tissue pulls on the gum tissues, making it harder to clean. It could also lead to the development of gum recession. A frenectomy is a surgical procedure to remove or loosen the frenulum, a band of tissue connecting the lip or tongue to the gum.
In the upper teeth specifically, the frenum could be very thick and related to midline gaps (called diastema) between the middle teeth. Hence, your orthodontist may ask for this tissue to be removed, sometimes before and sometimes after orthodontic treatment. This is done to help in preventing the midline gaps from reforming again.
The Periodontists specialise in all kinds of dental and gum-based surgeries
The frenectomy procedure
During the frenectomy procedure, the periodontist will perform steps to remove or modify the frenulum. The process typically involves making a small incision in the frenulum to release it or using a laser to remove the tissue. This will be followed by a few stitches to tie the tissue up in where it needs to be. Usually, the whole procedure takes between 20 to 30 minutes. If stitches are needed, we use dissolving stitches that fall out in two to three weeks on their own.
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Does gum maintenance hurt?
Periodontal maintenance isn’t usually painful. Some patients may experience mild discomfort during the cleaning process. Your dental hygienist can use numbing agents or adjust the cleaning technique to make you are more comfortable.
How often do I need periodontal maintenance?
Periodontal maintenance appointment frequency is different from one to one and depends on many factors, including your susceptibility to gum disease (periodontal disease), risk factors for gum disease progression, like smoking and diabetes, and your ability to perform good oral hygiene at home. The frequency of Periodontal maintenance appointments can vary between being provided every 3 months to being provided every 9 months, depending on the above-mentioned factors. At these appointments the gum health will be carefully checked to ensure that everything is ok and plaque and calculus that is difficult to remove daily at home will be removed from above and below the gum line.
Will I ever have healthy gums again?
Gum disease is incurable but manageable with the appropriate treatment. In concept, it is very similar to people who have high blood pressure or diabetes, where they have to take the medications regularly to stay on top of their health problem. With gum disease, we don’t have medications to control it, hence, regular periodontal maintenance is crucial to keep the gums as healthy as possible and prevent further periodontal disease progression.
Can I perform periodontal maintenance at home?
Daily home care, including good oral hygiene and some lifestyle changes, is crucial to keeping your gums healthy after periodontal treatment. These oral hygiene habits aim to disrupt the bacteria, allowing the gums to stay healthy around the teeth. Proper brushing and flossing should be part of these habits. However, some plaque and tartar (calculus) will always reform, and they are difficult to remove. Therefore, regular periodontal maintenance visits are essential to keep your gums healthy in the long term.
Is periodontal maintenance worth it?
In short yes. Periodontal maintenance aims at keeping the gum tissues healthy and prevents the progression of gum disease. By undergoing regular periodontal maintenance, you are keeping your gums and teeth in a very healthy shape and reducing the risk of gum disease progression. Untreated periodontal disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults.
Before and After
Mandibular (lower) Frenectomy
