Tongue frenuloplasty
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treatment
Main pathologies
The frenulum of the tongue is a thin membrane of tissue. It runs from the middle of the underside of the tongue to the gum and sometimes reaches the area between the teeth.
In addition, the tight frenulum connected to the lower jaw creates constant tension on the gums, especially in the area of the central incisors. This tension over time causes the gums to recede (recession) from the tooth. Against this background, the risk of increased tooth sensitivity significantly increases.
Against the background of its presence, the following pathologies often develop:
- Ankyloglossia This condition occurs when the frenulum is too short or too tight. A person cannot reach the palate with his tongue or extend it outward more than a few centimeters. Ankyloglossia causes difficulty speaking and problems swallowing
- Infantile swallowing This is a swallowing pattern in which the tongue moves forward or sideways rather than up toward the roof of the mouth. This type of swallowing usually occurs in young children, but sometimes persists in adults. Its presence leads to malocclusion (in children)
- Risk of caries development Restricted tongue movement reduces the effectiveness of self-cleaning of teeth and thereby increases the likelihood of caries formation
When is surgery necessary?
The operation of plastic frenulum of the tongue is indicated if there are problems with the pronunciation of certain sounds. Additional indications include violation of the position of the teeth and periodontal diseases that have developed against this background. Also, surgical intervention is performed during preparation for dental prosthetics or implantation.
The most suitable age for frenuloplasty in dentistry is 5-6 years: it is at this time that the active formation of the facial skeleton occurs and baby teeth are replaced by permanent ones. In some situations, especially when breastfeeding is difficult, surgery is performed on infants. In addition, adults can also seek such help.
General information about the procedure
Surgical procedure
Before surgery on the frenulum of the tongue, careful preparation is carried out. It includes sanitation of the oral cavity and identification of sources of infection. Additionally, the patient undergoes the necessary tests - this helps to ensure that there are no contraindications to anesthesia. This reduces the risk of complications and ensures a successful procedure.
The choice of frenulum correction method in children and adults depends on the specific type and degree of the anomaly. Several cutting techniques are used in surgical practice. A direct incision is most often used for mild forms of frenulum pathology. To correct dense and thick frenulum, a V-shaped incision is used. In severe cases (for example, in the presence of a short membrane), the doctor uses the Z-shaped option.
Plastic surgery of the lingual frenulum in adults begins with the introduction of an anesthetic into the oral cavity. This is required to reduce pain. The remaining stages of the intervention look like this:
- Ensuring the immobility of the tongue during the operation. For this, a special device is used - a tongue holder
- Cutting the frenulum using surgical scissors or a scalpel
- Applying sutures to the incision area. Self-absorbing sutures are used (there is no need to remove them over time)
The duration of the intervention depends on the complexity of the case. On average, the operation lasts 15-20 minutes.
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Diagnostic features
There are signs by which the dentist identifies the presence of a problem. These include:
In addition, in the presence of this pathology, the tongue in an elevated state takes the shape of a heart.