Frenectomy in Staten Island, NY

Board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeons with over 35 years of combined experience — treating patients from newborns to adults across Staten Island, Union City, and Elizabeth.

Parents are usually the first to notice when something feels harder than it should. A baby may have trouble latching, a toddler’s speech may be difficult to understand, or an orthodontist may mention a gap that keeps coming back between the front teeth. Sometimes, the cause is a small piece of tissue in the mouth called a frenum. When it is too tight or pulling in the wrong place, a frenectomy can release that tension and help the tongue or lip move more freely.

At Legacy Oral Surgery Group in Staten Island, New York, we see patients across every stage of life for frenectomy procedures, from newborns with breastfeeding difficulties to adults addressing long-standing functional concerns. Our surgeons bring more than 35 years of combined oral and maxillofacial experience to our Staten Island team, and our practice takes a thorough, individualized approach to every evaluation. If you have been referred for a frenectomy or are exploring your options, here is what to expect from the oral surgery services at our Staten Island location.

Why Patients Are Referred for a Frenectomy

People often find out they may need a frenectomy in different ways. For a baby, it may start with trouble latching or feeding. For an older child, it may come up during speech therapy if tongue movement is making certain sounds harder to produce. An orthodontist may notice that the frenum is pulling on the gums or causing a gap between the upper front teeth to reopen. Adults sometimes reach out after years of dealing with speech concerns, gum irritation, or dentures that do not feel as stable as they should.

A 2024 case report published in PubMed Central on breastfeeding symptom resolution following labial and lingual frenectomies documents how releasing tethered oral tissues can lead to progressive improvement in breastfeeding function across multiple postoperative visits. Regardless of the reason for referral, our team conducts a full evaluation before recommending any procedure, because not every tight frenum requires surgical intervention. Tongue and lip-ties present differently across age groups, and a thorough clinical assessment is the most reliable way to determine if and when intervention is appropriate.

What the Evaluation and Consultation Process Looks Like

At your consultation, our surgeon will examine the frenum in question, assess how it is affecting movement and function, and review any documentation or referral notes from the provider who sent you. For infants, the evaluation includes a feeding assessment and a review of symptoms the parent has observed. For older children and adults, the consultation may include speech patterns, dental history, orthodontic concerns, or gum health when relevant. The goal is to give you a clear picture of what is happening, what a frenectomy may help improve, and what outcomes are realistic for your situation.

If your care involves coordination with another provider, such as an orthodontist or speech therapist, our team communicates directly to keep everyone aligned. For patients with other oral surgery needs, related procedures, such as treatment for impacted canines, can sometimes be coordinated at the same time.

What Outcomes Can Patients Expect After a Frenectomy?

Outcomes vary depending on the type of frenectomy, the patient’s age, and the function being restricted. Each patient group tends to see different results on different timelines, and knowing what to expect in advance makes recovery easier to manage.

Infants and Young Children

For infants, breastfeeding may begin to improve within the first few days to weeks after the procedure, with some families noticing changes in latch fairly soon. For children with speech-related concerns, a frenectomy can release the physical restriction, but continued work with a speech therapist is often needed as movement patterns adjust over time.

Older Children and Adults

In orthodontic cases, the frenectomy helps stabilize results but is usually completed after a gap has been closed with braces rather than before. Adults undergoing frenectomy for gum health or prosthetic fit often notice the most immediate improvements in discomfort and tissue stability. Recovery across all age groups is generally straightforward, with mild soreness and recommendations for soft foods for the first several days. Sedation dentistry options are available at our Staten Island location for patients who prefer additional comfort during the procedure.

How Frenectomy Fits Into a Broader Treatment Plan

A frenectomy is rarely the only procedure a patient needs. It is most often one component of a broader plan involving orthodontics, speech therapy, periodontal treatment, or prosthetic work. In cases where gum tissue requires additional attention, a frenectomy may be scheduled alongside osseous surgery to address both issues in a single surgical visit.

Our team builds treatment plans with efficiency in mind, coordinating with referring providers and restorative dentists to ensure each procedure supports the next. The result is a more streamlined process with fewer separate appointments and a cleaner path to the outcomes you are working toward.

1. Start With a Consultation

Your journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation at one of our New Jersey offices. We use advanced 3D imaging to assess your bone health, map your implant sites, and build a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals.

2. Pre-Treatment Care

If needed, we will prepare your mouth with tooth extractions, bone grafts, or other procedures to create the ideal conditions for implant placement. Our surgeons, including Dr. Nancy Herbst with more than 25 years of oral and maxillofacial surgery experience, will walk you through every detail.

3. Dental Implant Surgery

During the surgical phase, the titanium post is placed directly into your jawbone. We offer multiple sedation and anesthesia options, including general anesthesia administered right in our office, to keep you comfortable throughout the dental implant surgery.

4. Healing & Integration

Your tooth implant needs time to fuse with the bone through a process called osseointegration. This healing period is essential for building the strong, stable base your final restoration will sit on.

5. Get Your Smile Back

Once healing is complete, your custom crown, bridge, or prosthesis is placed. It is designed to look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. You are ready to smile again.

Get the Frenectomy Care You Need at Legacy Oral Surgery Group in Staten Island

Our surgeons and our Staten Island team are equipped to evaluate and treat patients of all ages with precision and care. We work with referring providers across specialties and prioritize clear communication throughout the treatment process so patients always know where they stand. With state-of-the-art technology and more than 35 years of combined experience across our practice, Legacy Oral Surgery Group brings a level of surgical care Staten Island patients can count on.

If you have been referred for a frenectomy or want to discuss symptoms you have noticed, our team is ready to help. We accept most major dental and medical insurance plans and offer flexible financing options to help make care more accessible. Reach out through our contact page to schedule a consultation at our Staten Island location.

Legacy Oral Surgery In Elizabeth, NJ

Legacy Oral Surgery and Implants In Union City, NJ

Legacy Oral Surgery and Implants In Staten Island, NY

Frequently Asked Questions About Frenectomies

How Much Does a Frenectomy Cost?

Cost varies based on the type of frenectomy, the technique used, and the patient’s age. It varies by case — we accept most major dental and medical insurance plans and offer flexible financing options, and our team can give you a personalized estimate after an evaluation.

How Many Sessions Does a Frenectomy Take?

A frenectomy is almost always completed in a single, brief in-office visit that typically takes less than 30 minutes. Follow-up appointments are sometimes recommended to check healing, especially for infants working on feeding or older patients coordinating with orthodontic or speech therapy providers.

Is a Frenectomy Painful?

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so patients do not feel pain during the release. Afterward, most people notice mild soreness for a few days, which is typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relief and soft foods.

Will My Insurance Cover a Frenectomy?

Many dental and medical insurance plans cover frenectomies, particularly when the procedure addresses a functional issue like feeding difficulty or speech impairment. Our Staten Island team can help verify your specific benefits before your appointment.

At What Age Can a Frenectomy Be Performed?

A frenectomy can be performed at almost any age, from newborns experiencing breastfeeding difficulties to adults addressing long-standing speech or orthodontic concerns. Timing is based on each patient’s individual clinical picture.

Medically Reviewed Content

This page was reviewed for accuracy by the oral and maxillofacial surgeons at Legacy Oral Surgery Group, who bring more than 35 years of combined experience treating patients across Staten Island, Union City, and Elizabeth. Content is updated periodically to reflect current clinical guidance.