The labial frenum is the thin fold of tissue connecting the inside of your upper lip to the gum above the front teeth. Everyone has one. When it is unusually thick, or attaches low between the two central incisors, it can cause problems — and a frenectomy releases or repositions it.
When it is recommended
The most common reason is a persistent midline gap between the upper front teeth, where a low, fibrous frenum holds the teeth apart. In this situation timing matters: the frenectomy is usually performed after orthodontic closure of the gap rather than before, so the released tissue heals with the teeth in their new position. Done too early, scar tissue can make closing the gap harder.
Other reasons include a frenum pulling on the gum margin and contributing to recession, interference with cleaning, and an upper denture that is repeatedly dislodged by the frenum during speech or chewing. In infants, a related procedure on the lip or tongue tie may be considered where feeding is affected.
What to expect
The procedure is short — often ten to fifteen minutes — under local anaesthetic. Your dentist at Parkway Dental releases the frenum using either a scalpel with sutures, or a soft-tissue laser. The laser approach seals as it works, so bleeding is minimal and sutures are often unnecessary.
Healing
Discomfort is generally mild and settles within a few days; over-the-counter pain relief is usually sufficient. The area may look whitish or yellowish as it heals, which is normal granulation tissue rather than infection.
Eat softer foods for a day or two and avoid pulling the lip up to inspect the site repeatedly, which disturbs healing. Your dentist may show you gentle stretching movements to reduce the chance of the tissue reattaching tightly. Surface healing takes one to two weeks.