A short frenulum, also known as “short lingual frenulum” or “short labial frenulum,” is a condition where the frenulum, a thin membrane connecting the underside of the tongue or lower lip to the palate or gums, is too short. This condition can cause limitations in the natural movement of the tongue or teeth, affecting the ability to speak, eat, and, in severe cases, can lead to breathing difficulties. The treatment for a short frenulum is performed through two main surgical procedures: frenulotomy and frenuloplasty. Both are commonly carried out by specialists in oral and maxillofacial surgery and are used to resolve issues related to this condition.
What is Frenulotomy?
Frenulotomy is a simple and quick surgical procedure that involves cutting and partially or fully removing the short frenulum. This operation allows the tongue or lip to move more freely, improving mobility and resolving symptoms associated with the short frenulum. It is often performed on children but can also be done in adults when the condition is diagnosed later. Frenulotomy does not require sutures, and recovery is typically fast, with most patients returning to their normal activities in a short time.
What is Frenuloplasty?
Frenuloplasty is a more complex procedure compared to frenulotomy. It is typically performed when the short frenulum is particularly thick or fibrous and cannot be effectively treated with a simple frenulotomy. Frenuloplasty involves more extensive resection of the frenulum and subsequent suturing of the mucosa, offering a more lasting correction of the condition. Although frenuloplasty is a more invasive procedure, it delivers excellent results and significantly reduces the problems associated with the short frenulum.
Indications for Surgery
Surgical treatment for a short frenulum is recommended when symptoms significantly interfere with the patient’s quality of life. In infants and young children, for example, difficulty feeding may be an indicator of a short frenulum. In adults, the most common issues include difficulty pronouncing certain letters or words and oral health problems, such as plaque buildup on the front teeth due to an inability to move food properly with the tongue.
Procedures and Recovery
Both procedures, frenulotomy and frenuloplasty, are performed under local anesthesia so that the patient does not feel pain during the operation. The duration of the procedure is relatively short, with frenulotomy typically lasting less than 30 minutes and frenuloplasty taking longer due to its complexity. Recovery depends on the type of procedure: in the case of frenulotomy, the patient can go home on the same day, while frenuloplasty may require an observation period.
The surgeries you see in this video were performed by Prof. Gabriele Antonini. Some of these images, intended for a medical audience and educational purposes, may be intense for those not accustomed to surgical scenes.
