Help with Frenum (That Muscle Between Two Front Teeth) Experience

Hi T.,

I think I'm going to have the same issue with my two little girls. My 5 year olds dentist told me that she shouldn't get anything done until she's older. He said that if you do it too young then the scar tissue can cause a similar problem when older.
My husband had a gap between his teeth when he was a child and then had braces for years which sorted it out but now it's back again. I would certainly get it done if I were you but I think you have a bit of time yet.

Good luck,
M..

Check with an orthodontist.. sometimes it can be fixed with braces and sometimes... it can't. If he or she says to have it done.. do it.. you don't want to wait to long. My daughter's friend had it done with laser like instrument. Afterwards the little girl said it felt funny.. and hurt just a little. Her mom gave her ice pops and she was fine. The mom is happy she had it done. They say it feels like a pizza burn (like on the roof of your mouth when you eat hot pizza) Good luck.. and if you check with an othrodontist.. they shouldn't charge you if you are just asking a question. Good luck.. and don't worry!!

I am a dentist, and I tend to be pretty conservative with my recommendations for these kinds of things. I tell parents to wait until after their child has had the space closed with braces (probably not until your son is in 6th or 7th grade) and then have the frenum cut with a laser. Just as the shape and size of the rest of his body will change between now and the time when he is a grown man, so will the shape and size of the muscles and bones in his face and mouth, and he may outgrow the need for this depending on the severity. In general I would not recommend a surgical procedure for any child until they are much older unless it is having an adverse effect on their speech or development. Hope this advice helps. Good luck.

I had it done when I was a kid, probably about 7 or 8 years old. I don't remember it being particularly painful or traumatic. I think they gave me a local anesthetic and it healed pretty quickly. I HATED the huge space between my teeth so I was happy to have it done. I loved that as soon as it was done, my teeth naturally started moving back together. I still had a couple years of braces after that but now have perfect teeth that I love! Definitely worth it.

Hi T.,

I had the frenum cut when I was about 5 years old. The only thing I remember about it was that I wasn't allowed to jump in the pool for a few weeks - I was taking swimming lessons at the time and had to bring a doctor's note. Definitely see a pediatric dentist - they will have the best advice for you.
And as far as being traumatized.... I barely remember the procedure... but I do remember years of torture from classmates before I got braces in 10th grade! I was self conscious and embarrassed to smile. If it needs to be done, better sooner than later. Best of luck to you!

Hi T.,
My daughter had the issue with the frenum, and the orthodontist was not going to be able to start braces until it had been taken care of. We didn't need to rush. She had it done when she was 8. It was a laser procedure at the oral surgeon's office. Their recommendation was laughing gas and a lidocaine-type of local anesthetic. She has a high pain tolerance so I opted for her to forgo the gas, which was only to relax her for the local injection. The oral surgeon told me the procedure is typically 20 minutes, but it was over in less than 10. They prescribed Tylenol with Codeine for post-procedure pain, which I wasn't thrilled about. During the wait for the meds to be ready, she was uncomfortable so I bought some children's advil, she had some of that, had one of the pain pills when they were ready and then never asked for or felt that she needed any more pain medication.
Good luck

My daughter had the same issue as well as my husband. The space between her teeth was huge. We never had it cut though because when she had braces put on it solved the problem. The blood was cut off in the area once her space closed so it decreased in size until it was a normal size. What the orthodontists did was once her braces came of he put a little brace behind her two front teeth to keep the space closed and we have not had a problem since. I would get a few opinions because why should you put your son thought it if he doesn't need it. The orthodontist said sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't for us it did. I think it's worth a try if it doesn't work you can always cut it later when he is older and can handle it better. Good luck!!!

Hi T.,

I actually had a gap with my front teeth & when I got braces they took care of the frenum. I was 12. Hope that helps. Good luck!

The reason why it is reccomended to cut the frenum prior to the complete eruption of the perm teeth is so that the muscle does not pull on the gum of those erupting teeth causing further problems.Good Luck

I think that if your child is being asked about a missing tooth and it's making him uncomfortable (or might in the future) have it done. Kids are mean - why wait if it can improve self esteem?

Good luck!

T., why so rush, rush?

My sister had that and hers closed on its own.
That is why the doctors are not in a rush, because they
now that potenial it can close.

It is a wait and see approach.
Your sons may not close on its own, but I think your doctors
are doing a good job being conservative.

Also, if he needs braces they will do it, but if he doesn't need braces and his teeth are great, they will wait until his permanent teeth come in - like my sister- and see if it closes on its own - like it did for my sister.

I also thought my daughter was going to have a gap and hers dissapeared with her baby teeth. Gaps are in my family.

Will your son be traumatized or you?
My sister had a large gap for a while and it never bothered her and no one made fun of her because of it and I am not just saying that - she was made fun of, but never due to the gap. A lot of people thought it was cute on her and complimented her - think Lauren Hutton, but black.

We want our kids to be perfect by society standards, but we forget that its the things that make them stand out that builds character.

This is very "Fast Food Nation" rush, rush, rush.
Relax, your son sounds cute.
It sounds like it is more of your issue than his.

K.

Hi T.:

My son's original dentist said this was immediately necessary but we had issues with insurance, so he waited. When he later saw another dentist, we were told it was unnecessary. I'm pleased to say, he is now almost 17 and the teeth closed up themselves without surgery!!!!!

I'd recommend waiting ... at least till he starts puberty (which is what the 2nd dentist told us.)

Good luck and Happy Springtime :)

I was much older when I had surgery on mine, and that was over 10 years ago so procedures have changed. But I was old enough to know what was going on and why...I cant imagine taking my 6 yr old, he wouldnt understand. And we had the option for gas, but I have a high threshold for pain so my parents let me go without the gas. I was a little dizzy and sick to my tummy after, but not traumatized. At the time my orthodontists wouldnt put the braces on with out the procedure. But again, times change and its been AT LEAST 10 years, maybe a lot more...LOL.

Hi. You've gotten most of the responses you need, but I wanted to be a little encouraging. I did not know what that was called, but I still have mine. I had braces when I was a teenager and they pulled my gap closed but said it would "spring back" a bit if I didn't live in a retainer. I don't think I was terribly traumatized growing up by having it, although looking at pictures now I wonder why. :) I agree that a pediatric dentist would be the best way to go, but don't worry about trauma! :)

Hi, my name is L. I am a dental hygienist. I would recommend that you have it checked by a pediatric dentist. If you are in the area I could recommend several. In westfield,nj Dr. McCabe westfield pediatric dental group, in clark, nj Dr. Flanigan. I've had several patients were it is recommended to snip early, others kids when they are older. It is a very simple procedure but again it's best to get a 2nd opinion and better from a pediatric dentist hope I was able to help Good luck