Lingual Frenectomy

What is Lingual Frenectomy

Lingual frenectomy is a surgery to cut or remove the band of tissue (frenulum) that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth. This procedure is needed when the frenulum is too tight or too thick and causes difficulty speaking or eating. Lingual frenectomy results in greater range of motion for the tongue.

Tell a health care provider about:

  • Any recent head colds, sinus infections, ear infections, or sore throats you have had.
  • Any allergies you have.
  • All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
  • Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
  • Any blood disorders you have.
  • Any surgeries you have had.
  • Any medical conditions you have.
  • Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

  • Infection.
  • Bleeding.
  • Allergic reactions to medicines.
  • Damage to surrounding structures or organs, such as the tongue.
  • Formation of a sore (ulcer) under the tongue.

What happens before the procedure?

  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
  • Ask your health care provider about:
    • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
    • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
  • Plan to have someone take you home after the procedure.

What happens during the procedure?

  • To reduce your risk of infection:
  • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
    • Your skin will be washed with soap.
  • An IV tube may be inserted into one of your veins in order to give you fluids and medicines.
  • You will be given one or more of the following:
    • A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
    • A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
    • A medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
  • Your frenulum will be cut or removed. The incision may be done using one of the following:
    • Surgical scissors.
    • A surgical knife (scalpel).
    • A laser or an instrument that uses electric heat to cut out the frenulum and seal the incision (electrocautery).
  • The incision will be closed using stitches (sutures).

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

  • You will have some pain. Pain medicine will be available.
  • You may have a diamond-shaped wound under your tongue.
  • You may have blood in your saliva. This may make your saliva look pink.
  • You may have some bruising under your tongue.
  • Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored often until the medicines you were given have worn off.
  • Do not drive for 24 hours if you received a sedative.

Lingual Frenectomy, Care After

Refer to this sheet in the next few weeks. These instructions provide you with information about caring for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. Your treatment has been planned according to current medical practices, but problems sometimes occur. Call your health care provider if you have any problems or questions after your procedure.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

  • Saliva that looks pink. This is caused by minor bleeding under your tongue.
  • Bruising and swelling under your tongue.
  • Soreness when moving your tongue.

Follow these instructions at home:

General instructions

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Starting the day after surgery, rinse and gargle with a salt-water mixture 3–4 times a day or as needed. To make a salt-water mixture, completely dissolve ½-1 tsp of salt in 1 cup of warm water.
  • Stretch your tongue as far as possible toward the tip of your nose. Repeat this exercise to help the tongue heal correctly.
    • If these exercises are too uncomfortable at first, wait 24 hours and try them again.
    • Follow your health care provider’s instructions about how many days you should do the exercises.
  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your incision. Make sure you leave stitches (sutures) in place.

Eating and drinking

  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
  • If eating is difficult, try eating soft foods until you feel better.
  • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • You have blood in your saliva for more than 2 days after the procedure.
  • You have more fluid or blood coming from your incision.
  • You have tongue pain for more than 2 days after the procedure.
  • You develop swelling or redness under the tongue or chin.
  • You have pus coming from your incision.
  • You have a barking or wheezing cough.
  • You have any of the following signs of dehydration:
    • Dry mouth.
    • Sunken eyes.
    • Dark urine or decreased urine production.
  • You have pain that gets worse or does not get better with medicine.

Get help right away if:

  • You vomit for longer than 3 hours.
  • You have difficulty swallowing.
  • You have excessive drooling.
15585

Sign up to receive the trending updates and tons of Health Tips

Join SeekhealthZ and never miss the latest health information

15856