A short lingual frenulum, or ankyloglossia, refers to a condition in which the upper edge of the frenulum is attached to the tip of the tongue. With this condition, the tongue cannot function properly because the short frenulum restricts its free movement.
How to tell if the frenulum is too short:
- The tongue cannot touch the palate
- Limited mobility of the tongue tip
- A slight “split” at the tip of the tongue may be present
- When the tongue is lifted, the frenulum looks like a thin membrane
What to do if the problem exists:
If the frenulum is not very short and is not attached to the very tip of the tongue, special exercises can sometimes help. However, in most cases, surgical treatment is necessary.
Frenuloplasty, or frenulum surgery, is a simple but often essential procedure.
Sometimes it is performed right after birth because the baby cannot feed effectively. A short frenulum can interfere with breastfeeding and affect weight gain. The earlier the frenulum is released, the easier and faster the recovery. In most cases, the infant is immediately put to the mother’s breast after the procedure, which usually takes no more than 5 minutes. The baby experiences no pain and calms down right away.
If lingual frenuloplasty was not done in infancy, it can be performed in children aged 5–7 years, when active bite changes occur. Indications include difficulty chewing food, speech issues, and bite problems.
In adults, this surgery is rarely performed. If someone has lived their whole life with a short frenulum without problems, surgery is usually unnecessary. The main indication may be preparation for dental prosthetics. In such cases, cutting the lingual frenulum improves prosthesis placement, fixation, and comfort during adjustment.
Upper lip frenulum surgery is also sometimes performed. A short or thick upper lip frenulum usually causes fewer problems than a short lingual frenulum. Most often, a thick frenulum leads to a diastema, a gap between the upper central incisors. Some see it as a unique feature, while others find it bothersome.
Indications for upper lip frenulum surgery include:
- Bite problems
- Speech difficulties
- Difficulty latching during infancy
- Periodontal disease prevention
- Preparation for dental prosthetics or orthodontic treatment
Upper lip frenulum surgery is usually done after the four upper permanent incisors have erupted, as the problem may resolve on its own before that. Some dentists suggest waiting until the canines erupt. Each patient requires an individual approach.
Both procedures are relatively simple and, in 99% of cases, cause no complications. With the advent of surgical lasers that cut and simultaneously seal blood vessels, frenulum surgery has become very safe.
Recovery is usually quick and easy. It is important to follow the doctor’s recommendations, maintain oral hygiene, and monitor diet.
Myofunctional exercises can support recovery by helping muscles adapt to the new anatomical position of the frenulum.
As you can see, frenulum surgery is not always a complicated procedure.
