What is a frenectomy, and do adults need one?

You may have heard the term frenectomy for the first time from your dentist, maybe after mentioning a speech quirk or a stubborn gap between your front teeth. Here's what it means: A small band of tissue called a frenum may be too tight, too thick or attached in the wrong spot, and a frenectomy is the simple procedure that fixes it. For adults dealing with these issues, treating it can make a real difference in day-to-day comfort and function. 

What you will learn in this article:  

• A frenum is a small band of tissue that can cause real trouble when it's too tight or in the wrong spot. 

• Tongue ties and lip ties affect adults too, showing up as speech issues, gum problems and even disrupted sleep. 

• A frenectomy takes about 15 to 30 minutes, and most adults feel back to normal within a day or two. 

• Your dental provider can look at your mouth and tell you whether a frenectomy makes sense for you. 

If you have symptoms related to a tight frenum, schedule an appointment with an Aspen Dental provider to discuss your situation. 

What is a frenum? 

A frenum (sometimes called a frenulum) is a small band of tissue that connects one part of your mouth to another. Two tend to cause the most trouble: the labial frenum, which connects your upper lip to your gum just above your front teeth, and the lingual frenum, which connects the underside of your tongue to the floor of your mouth. 

While these bands are normal, sometimes they're too short, too thick or attached too far down the gum. When that happens, they can get in the way. 

How does a frenum cause problems for adults? 

A tight or misplaced frenum can affect adults in real ways, and many people live with a lip or tongue tie for years before realizing it’s been causing them issues. The problems tend to fall into two categories depending on which frenum is involved: the one connecting your lip to your gum, or the one anchoring your tongue to the floor of your mouth. 

Lip tie in adults 

A tight labial frenum can tug on your gum tissue. Over time, that pulling can lead to gum recession, a gap between the front teeth or trouble with dentures fitting properly.¹

Tongue tie in adults 

A tight lingual frenum limits how far your tongue can move. Dental providers call this ankyloglossia. It's a condition where an abnormally short frenulum restricts the tongue's mobility.¹ It can show up as: 

• Speech issues: Sounds like "r," "l," "s," "t," "d," and "th" can be hard to form clearly. 

• Trouble eating: Moving food around or swallowing certain textures can feel awkward. 

• Jaw and neck tension: Your tongue works overtime to compensate, and that strain can travel into your jaw and neck.¹ 

Sleep-disordered breathing 

When a tongue tie restricts movement, the tongue may not rest properly and can, in some cases, be linked to airway problems during sleep. Early research on this connection is still limited, and simply releasing the tie isn't a standalone fix: Providers typically recommend tongue exercises or speech therapy before or alongside the procedure to help the tongue adjust safely.² A dental provider or doctor can help determine if this is a factor for you. 

What is a frenectomy? 

A frenectomy is a minor oral surgery that releases or removes the frenum (the tissue connecting the lip or tongue to the mouth). It can be performed on the lip, the tongue or both and is also known clinically as a frenotomy or frenuloplasty.¹ 

Your dental provider or oral surgeon starts by numbing the area, so you should feel pressure but not pain. From there, they release or remove the tissue using either a scalpel or a soft-tissue laser. With a scalpel, they make a small cut, remove the tissue and close it with a stitch or two. With a laser, there's typically less bleeding and often no stitches needed at all. 

Either way, the whole procedure usually takes just 15 to 30 minutes. 

What does recovery look like? 

Most adults are back to their normal routine within a day or two. Here's what the first week tends to look like: 

• Some soreness: The area may feel tender for a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help. Your care team will advise you on what to take. 

• Soft foods: Stick to things like yogurt, soup and mashed vegetables while the area heals. 

• Keep it clean: Your dental provider will show you how to rinse and care for the site. 

• Exercises: After a tongue tie release, your dental provider or a speech therapist may give you stretches to do. These help your tongue move freely and keep the tissue from tightening back up.  

Full healing takes about two to four weeks. If you're experiencing any of these issues, contact your dental provider today to figure out the next steps. 

What is a frenectomy and do adults need one? FAQs 

Here are answers to some of the questions adults most often have about frenectomies. 

Will a frenectomy fix my gap on its own? 

Not always. A frenectomy removes the tissue pushing the teeth apart, but your teeth won't automatically drift back together. Your dental provider may suggest orthodontic treatment to close the gap. 

Does a tongue tie release improve speech right away? 

It can take some time. Your tongue has spent years working around the restriction. Some adults notice a change fairly quickly. Others find that speech therapy helps them retrain the muscles and get the most out of the release. 

I'm an older adult. Is a frenectomy still worth it? 

Adults of any age can have the procedure. Healing may take a little longer, but the benefits, like easing gum recession or improving denture fit, can still be meaningful. Your dental provider can help you decide what’s best for your situation.  

Can a frenectomy be covered by dental insurance? 

It depends on your plan and the reason for the procedure. Gum health related cases may fall under periodontal benefits, while speech or function related cases may be covered by medical insurance instead. Ask your care team to check before you schedule. 

Sources 

¹ National Library of Medicine, StatPearls: "Ankyloglossia (Tongue-Tie).”  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482295/ 

² National Institutes of Health, PubMed Central, Journal of Clinical Medicine: "Does Frenotomy Modify Upper Airway Collapse in OSA Adult Patients? Case Report and Systematic Review.”  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9821269/