In the oral cavity, the lip frenum is a piece of soft tissue that connects the lip to the gums. It is located on the top and bottom of the mouth, and can vary in thickness and length between different individuals. The lip frenum is located in the front of the mouth, between the upper lip and the upper gum and between the lower lip and the lower gum. The purpose of this particular piece of tissue is to provide the upper and lower lip with more stability. If there is a problem with the lip bridle, it can change the way the teeth grow and can affect the health of the teeth if it pulls the gum away from a tooth, exposing the root. In this case, a lip frenectomy is indicated to definitively address this particular situation.

Lip frenum size problems: What do they cause?

In the case of an extended lip frenum in infancy or childhood, the issue of concern is the potential for the arisal of future orthodontic problems, as it may affect the proper growth and spacing of the upper two front teeth. This results in the creation of a large gap between these two teeth, which raises concern from an aesthetic point of view. Occasionally, the specific issue resolves itself with the arrival of a child’s permanent teeth.

If, after the placement of orthodontic braces, the gap remains the same between the two permanent teeth, surgical intervention is recommended in order to resolve the issue permanently. Other issues that can arise regarding the existence of a lip frenum are the possibility to tear and the arisal of problems with dental development, making it difficult to effectively clean the gums and front teeth. This increases the risk of developing issues affecting the gums as well as other dental complications.

Lip frenectomy: Indications

In order to deal with these problems, in many cases a lip frenectomy is performed, which gives the upper lip more mobility, reducing the risk of gaps, gum recession and other oral health problems. With this technique, the part of the tissue that connects the upper gums with the front teeth is removed, correcting the problems that occur in that area. It can also be performed on the lower lip, but is most often performed to correct issues in the upper lip.

Lip frenectomy: Process

A lip frenectomy is performed under local anesthesia and lasts a maximum of 15 minutes. ENT Surgeon Dr. Olga Papadopoulou then removes the lip frenum using a scalpel, surgical scissors, or cauteriazation tool. If the particular piece of tissue covers a larger anatomical area, then a few stitches may be needed to close the incision. Lip frenectomy with the utilization of laser is now widely used, in which the same procedure is followed, but the incision is cauterized with a laser, which minimizes the risk of infection and blood loss.

Post-operatively, the patient may present minimal amount of swelling in the upper or lower lip, along with the appearance of minor discomfort. The particular symptoms may appear to worsen for a period of 24 to 48 hours, and after that period of time they gradually subside. The patient must follow the post-operative instructions, while it is recommended to avoid acidic foods in the first days after the operation.