Frenectomy

What is a Frenectomy?

A frenectomy is a quick, minimally invasive dental procedure that removes or modifies a frenum—a small fold of tissue inside the mouth that can restrict normal movement and function. At Rana Dental in Roseville, CA, we offer three types of frenectomies based on where the restriction occurs:

Types of Frenectomy Procedures

1. Labial Frenectomy

This procedure removes or adjusts the labial frenum, the tissue that connects the inside of the upper or lower lip to the gums. An overly prominent labial frenum can:

Create a gap between the front teeth (diastema)
Contribute to gum recession
Interfere with orthodontic treatment or denture fit

2. Lingual Frenectomy
This procedure involves releasing the lingual frenum, the thin band of tissue under the tongue. When this tissue is too short or tight, it can cause a condition known as tongue-tie (ankyloglossia), which may lead to:

Difficulty breastfeeding in infants
Speech challenges in children and adults
Difficulty chewing or swallowing
Strain during oral hygiene routines

Sleep-disordered breathing or mouth breathing

3.Buccal Frenectomy (Cheek Tie)
This procedure addresses the buccal frenum, the tissue that connects the inside of the cheeks to the gums near the back teeth. When this tissue is too tight, it can lead to

Gum recession due to constant pulling on the gum line
Discomfort or interference with orthodontic treatment

Challenges in keeping the area clean during oral hygiene routines

Localized tension or irritation in the cheek and gum area

untreated tongue ties and other oral restrictions can contribute to broader health concerns—including those that increase the risk for heart-related issues over time.

The Oral-Systemic Connection

More and more research highlights the strong connection between oral health and systemic conditions—including cardiovascular disease. A restrictive frenum (lip, tongue, or cheek tie) may seem like a small issue, but it can influence:

Chronic mouth breathing, which reduces oxygen intake and can affect heart rate variability and blood pressure regulation

Poor oral hygiene, due to restricted tongue movement, which can lead to periodontal disease—a known risk factor for heart conditions

Sleep-disordered breathing and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which increase stress on the heart and have been linked to high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, and increased risk of stroke

How a Frenectomy Helps

By performing a laser frenectomy—especially in children—we may help improve:

Tongue posture and nasal breathing, reducing strain on the cardiovascular system

Sleep quality, allowing the heart to recover and regulate properly during rest

Oral hygiene access, reducing the risk of gum inflammation that contributes to systemic inflammation

🔬 Did You Know?

Studies have shown that people with periodontal disease (often worsened by restricted oral function) are up to 2–3 times more likely to have heart disease. Early intervention—such as a frenectomy to correct oral function—can be a preventive step toward better overall wellness.

How Oral Restrictions Affect
Overall Health

A tight or restrictive frenum—whether it's a tongue tie, lip tie, or cheek tie—may seem minor at first glance. At Rana Dental, we are highly attuned to the ways these oral restrictions can impact overall health. Through firsthand experience with our patients, we’ve seen how they can create a ripple effect throughout the body, affecting functions well beyond the mouth.

1. Breathing and Airway

HealthWhen the tongue can't rest properly against the roof of the mouth (due to a tongue tie), it can block nasal breathing and lead to mouth breathing, especially during sleep. This can cause:

Chronic fatigue

Snoring or obstructive sleep apnea

Poor oxygenation and underdevelopment of the jaw and airway

Nasal breathing is crucial for oxygen regulation, facial development, and immune health—especially in growing children.

2. Neurological and Cognitive Development

Restricted oral function can affect nervous system regulation. Children and Adults with tongue ties often show signs of:

Trouble concentrating

Behavioral issues

ADHD-like symptoms

This is often due to poor sleep quality, oxygen deprivation, or low-grade chronic stress from struggling to breathe or eat properly.

3. Feeding and Digestion

Ties can interfere with breastfeeding, bottle feeding, swallowing, and chewing. Poor tongue function can lead to:

Acid reflux

Gagging or choking

Incomplete digestion

Early feeding difficulties also impact a child’s weight gain and gut-brain development. Leading to lasting and at times chronic health problems.

4. Dental and Orthodontic Health

Tight lip, cheek, or tongue ties can:

Pull on the gums and contribute to gum recession

Cause teeth to space or shift unpredictably

Prevent the tongue from naturally shaping the palate during growth, leading to a narrow arch or misaligned bite

This can complicate orthodontic treatment, create relapse, or increase the need for future interventions.

5. Systemic Inflammation and Heart Health

As discussed earlier, poor oral hygiene due to restricted access or improper tongue motion can lead to gum disease, which is strongly linked to heart disease, diabetes, and systemic inflammation.

6. Posture and Body Tension

Believe it or not, a restricted tongue can cause downstream effects through the head, neck, and spine. Tension in the tongue and floor of the mouth may contribute to:

Poor posture

Tension headaches

Neck and jaw discomfort

TMJ dysfunction

The Bottom Line: The Tongue Is a Key to Whole-Body Health

The tongue isn’t just for eating and speaking—it’s a powerful muscle involved in breathing, posture, and neurological regulation. Releasing a restricted frenum can unlock better health, development, and function from head to toe.

If you or your child are showing signs of restricted oral movement, we invite you to schedule a gentle, thorough evaluation at Rana Dental.

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Research and References

Sleep & Airway Health

Clinical Oral Investigations (2024). A randomized trial shows that combining frenectomy with oral exercises significantly improved tongue mobility in adults with ankyloglossia and OSA. link.springer.com

Journal of Clinical Medicine (2023). Adult patients with tongue-tie showed reduced airway collapse after frenotomy, based on drug-induced sleep endoscopy. mdpi.com

Spear Education (2022). A review of 71 studies linking tongue-tie to craniofacial development and sleep apnea risk. speareducation.com

Neuromuscular & Functional Development

BMJ Case Reports (2024). Pediatric cases show improved speech and tongue mobility following laser frenectomy and myofunctional therapy. casereports.bmj.com

Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology (2024). A systematic review highlights speech articulation improvements in children post-frenectomy. speechbite.com

Long-Term Cardiovascular Implications

Natural Heart Doctor. Examines the link between restricted airway due to tongue-tie and long-term cardiovascular stress. naturalheartdoctor.com