Facts about Frenectomy

*Warning! The pictures and videos linked to in this video are pretty gross so do not view if you have a weak stomach!*


Another procedure that is being implemented is called a frenectomy. Like its brother the fiberotomy procedure, a frenectomy also severs tissue in your mouth called your frenulum. A frenulum is a fold of tissue that either lets parts of your body move or restricts movement. There are 5 different areas of oral frenulum: the tissue connecting your upper lip, connecting your lower lip, connecting your tongue to the base of your mouth, and the two connecting your cheeks to your gums. The most common frenulum being severed in a frenectomy is the one connecting your upper lip to the gum above your front teeth. This is specifically called a labial frenectomy, to get the terms straight (the one removing the frenulum under your tongue is called a lingual frenectomy and is sometimes used to correct speech impediments that developed due to too much tissue around the tongue).

This procedure can be prescribed while you have braces, long after you have braces or before you have braces. The overall cost is around $3,000 as it is also a cosmetic surgery (see fiberotomy) and is not covered by insurance. So one should consider carefully whether to go through with this procedure!

Here are a few links about the specific details of a frenectomy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labial_frenectomy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frenectomy

http://nyp.org/health/frenectomy.html


The necessity of a labial frenectomy is that the frenulum attached to your upper lip can sometimes pull the gums away from your front teeth and make it so your front two teeth never close the gap. For this procedure it is generally recommended to wait till you have your permanent canines and permanent incisors (around 11 years old or so). This is to make sure that the gap in your front teeth don’t close naturally since if they did you wouldn’t need the procedure!


Now there are two different methods of snipping those frenulum out there. One method is using a scalpel. The other is using a CO2 laser. In 2006, there was a study comparing the two methods and it found that the laser method, when done correctly had a shorter recovery and less pain for the patient (http://www.joponline.org/doi/abs/10.1902/jop.2006.060043). In both cases it is necessary for your surgeon to put in a few stitches to close up the tear.

Here is a video of the procedure using a laser and it is not for the faint of stomachs. We could not find a video of the procedure using a scalpel but we assume its similar.

We warned you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q68fuAELcJA&feature=related


Next post we will discuss the pain level, recovery, setbacks, and risks of the frenectomy procedure along with our opinions so look for it next Wednesday!


-Amanda and Erik

Fiberotomy Informational Links 2

After some more web searching, we have found more information on how the Fiberotomy procedure works, as well as many videos of it being done. Hope these help!

Here is a video link, though be warned it is not for the faint of heart:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgGFF5lrF3c\

Also, this channel has many good videos. We also recommend reading through the comments on any videos you watch, there might be some good insights.

http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Are-Frenectomies,-Fiberotomies,-Gingivoplasties-and-How-They-Relate-to-Orthodontic-Treatment&id=6301223


http://www.enotes.com/topic/Fiberotomy

The fact that there is a very small amount of information available online shows that the procedure is still in its developmental stage. We think that because it is so new, if your orthodontist suggests you get it done, it is our opinion that you hold off until there is more information on the procedure. There is next to no information on the long term effects of this surgery. Neither of us has gotten this done, none of our friends have gotten it done, and neither of our parents got it done. Yet all of us still have straight teeth. This proves the validity of wearing a retainer.

-Erik and Amanda

Wisdom Teeth Amanda: Recovery

For the next 3 days, I was basically fine to move around unlike Erik who has basically bed ridden for a week. My jaw and mouth were still sore but I took my 600mg ibuprofen every six hours so they weren’t very painful. Over all I was pretty much back to normal. I just ate jello (lots of jello), eggs, ice cream, milkshakes. Anything such as milkshakes and smoothies I had to eat with a spoon because you are not supposed to suck and spit until the sockets are healed.

Compared to Erik’s surgery, mine had a very quick recovery period.

-Amanda and Erik

Wisdom Teeth Removal: Amanda Part Two

So the other Tuesday, after not eating before midnight the night before, I went to the orthodontist office dressed in comfortable clothing and got ready for the procedure. I went into the office then took a mix of Versed and Tylenol that is used to calm down the patient before the procedure. The assistant had me sit in the chair for 10 minutes to let it kick in. By the end of the 10 minutes I was a little bit worried because I didn’t feel any different! She led me into the chair that they were going to do the procedure in. I was still pretty with it. But I must have been slowly drifting off because although I vaguely remember the oral surgeon strapping on the tourniquet to give me the I.V. the next thing I know I am on my couch at home!

Almost immediately after waking up (although apparently I had woken up before…I just don’t remember it!), my dad had to clean my mouth because I had drooled blood all over myself. But this was normal. And then after that, the pain set in IMMEDIATELY. It hurt a lot! But I just iced for a while and took some ibuprofen and slept. And that was day one of my procedure!


-Amanda and Erik