Lip and tongue frenulum undercutting

In the case of an oversized frenulum of the lip (upper or lower) or a too-short frenulum of the tongue, the dental surgeon performs an undercut procedure. This is because the abnormal attachment of this structure causes a number of inconveniences and can result in many serious defects in the child's development.

In the case of the upper lip, an oversized frenulum can cause diastema, or a gap between the “ones”. On the other hand, the position of the lower lip frenulum too close to the gum can cause the so-called “pull syndrome” (pulling the gum through the frenulum when the lower lip moves). This is the cause of ischemia of the gingiva and, in further stages, its recession, i.e. lowering with exposure of the neck and even the root of the tooth. A short frenulum of the tongue, on the other hand, causes a number of functional problems, especially related to speech disorders.

Each of the above-mentioned situations is an indication for undercutting surgery. Under local anesthesia, the surgeon cuts a sufficiently large section of the frenulum so as to obtain its proper position, which is stabilized with sutures. The post-operative wound usually heals very quickly and after a week the stitches are removed and the patient returns to full function.