---
title: "What Is Frenectomy? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "A frenectomy is a small procedure that cuts or removes a frenum, the band of tissue under the tongue or between the lip and gum, when it limits movement."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/frenectomy
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Procedures

# Frenectomy

A frenectomy is a small procedure that cuts or removes a frenum, the band of tissue under the tongue or between the lip and gum, when it limits movement.

A frenectomy removes or releases a frenum, which is a thin band of tissue connecting two parts of the mouth. It may be done for a short band under the tongue, called [tongue-tie](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/tongue-tie-ankyloglossia), or for a band that is too thick or too tight between the lip and gum.

If tongue-tie causes breastfeeding difficulties and no other adjustments or treatments help, a child's healthcare provider may recommend a frenectomy. A thick [frenum](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/frenum-frenulum) can also push teeth apart and leave a space, and a short one can pull on the gum.

Cleveland Clinic notes that surgeons do not perform frenectomy to correct speech issues, because there is no evidence to support that it is necessary or helpful for that. Ask your child's provider about the reason for the procedure, how it is done and what the recovery looks like.

## Related terms

-   [Frenum (frenulum)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/frenum-frenulum)
-   [Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/tongue-tie-ankyloglossia)
-   [Diastema (tooth gap)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/diastema-tooth-gap)
-   [Gum recession](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gum-recession)
-   [Gums (gingiva)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gums-gingiva)

## Sources

1.  [Cleveland Clinic: Frenum (Frenulum in Mouth): Types, Function & What It Is](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/frenum-mouth-frenulum)

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