From a lay perspective: Are labial frenectomies (where they remove the tissue connecting your gum to the inside of your mouth) neccessary to keep gaps closed? I wasn't diligent with retainer wear so I can vouch that it opens but I'm worried that even with anal retentive retainer wear, my gap will reappear unless I have it removed.
My parents opted out of the procedure as they felt it was unneccessary but I'm considering asking my ortho about it at the next adjustment. Also, is it usually covered by medical or dental insurance?
Keeping Gap Closed w/o Labial Frenectomy
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macgirl4ever
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Keeping Gap Closed w/o Labial Frenectomy
Braced: 20 months March 2009-November 2010
you are right a labial frenectomy is where they cut the tissue between the two front teeth that connects to the gum that often causes a gap between these two teeth. i am one who has a large labial frenunum that causes a large gap between my two front teeth. right now i have started the process to get this corrected with braces, so far i am 3 months in and will be sentenced to around 18 months. i am planning on getting the labial frenectomy done to make sure my gap does not return, plus also the ortho mentioned of applying bonded retainers to my upper teeth to make sure there will be no relapse.
i've read that the procedure for the labial frenectomy is simple and takes less than 15 minutes.
i've read that the procedure for the labial frenectomy is simple and takes less than 15 minutes.
I've read about people that have cut their own lingual frenulums (the one that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth). One guy who was into piercing got a tatooist to cut through his after applying a clamp on each side of it. Apparently 
it's not that painful but you need to put some gauze under your tongue for a while afterwards as it can grow back together again. If it's a DIY operation you need to be weary of a vein in there and the saliva gland. I imagine if you've got the nerve to take into your lingual frenulum, a labial frenulum would be a walk in the park by comparison.
it's not that painful but you need to put some gauze under your tongue for a while afterwards as it can grow back together again. If it's a DIY operation you need to be weary of a vein in there and the saliva gland. I imagine if you've got the nerve to take into your lingual frenulum, a labial frenulum would be a walk in the park by comparison.
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macgirl4ever
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While in treatment?
Has anyone had this done while in braces? I know there age many procedures that are defered until after treatment.
Braced: 20 months March 2009-November 2010