Frenectomy in Union City, NJ

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

A frenum is a small piece of tissue that helps connect and support parts of the mouth. You may notice it under the tongue or between the upper lip and the gums above the front teeth. Sometimes, this tissue is too tight, thick, or low, which can make it harder for the tongue or lip to move the way it should. When that happens, it may affect feeding, speech, brushing, or future orthodontic treatment. A frenectomy gently releases that tissue, making it feel easier and more comfortable.

At Legacy Oral Surgery Group in Union City, New Jersey, we perform frenectomies for patients of all ages, from newborns experiencing breastfeeding difficulties to adults seeking to improve speech clarity or support orthodontic treatment. With more than 35 years of combined experience and over 7,000 patients treated annually, our team brings the same standard of precision and patient-centered care to every procedure. If you are exploring oral surgery services in Union City and want to know what a frenectomy involves, here is what you need to know.

What Is a Frenectomy and Who Needs One?

A frenectomy addresses a frenum interfering with normal function. The two most common types are the lingual frenectomy, which releases a tongue-tie, and the labial frenectomy, which releases a lip-tie. According to a 2023 NIH StatPearls reference on ankyloglossia and tongue-tie, ankyloglossia affects a meaningful portion of the population and can impact breastfeeding, speech, and oral development when left untreated. Referrals come from a wide range of providers, including pediatricians, lactation consultants, speech therapists, orthodontists, and general dentists.

The decision to perform a frenectomy is based on a thorough clinical evaluation. Not every tight frenum requires intervention, but when one is clearly affecting function or is likely to cause problems as a child grows, early treatment tends to produce better outcomes than waiting. Our blog on tongue-ties and lip-ties covers the differences between these conditions in more detail.

What Does a Frenectomy Procedure Involve?

A frenectomy is a brief in-office procedure performed under local anesthesia. For patients who prefer additional comfort, sedation options are available at our Union City location. The procedure involves a small incision or excision to release or remove the restrictive frenulum tissue, followed by closure of the site with sutures if needed. The entire process typically takes less than 30 minutes, and most patients are surprised by how manageable the experience is from start to finish.

What to Expect After Surgery

Recovery from a frenectomy is usually pretty manageable. Mild soreness or swelling may occur during the first few days, and soft foods are often easiest as the area starts to heal. Keeping the area clean and following the care instructions from your surgical team can make recovery smoother and more comfortable. For babies, feeding or latching may improve soon after the procedure. For older patients having a frenectomy as part of orthodontic care, the next steps with the referring provider usually continue within a few weeks.

Age and Timing Considerations

Frenectomies can be performed at virtually any age. In infants, the procedure is often recommended shortly after birth when breastfeeding difficulties are identified. In older children, intervention may be timed to coincide with orthodontic treatment to prevent a gap between the front teeth from reopening. In adults, the procedure may address long-standing speech issues, support gum health, or prepare the mouth for dental restorations. Our team evaluates each patient individually and makes timing recommendations based on their specific clinical picture and goals.

How Does a Frenectomy Relate to Other Oral Surgery Procedures?

Frenectomies are sometimes performed alongside other surgical procedures, particularly when a patient’s treatment plan involves multiple soft tissue or structural corrections. In cases where gum tissue is also being addressed, a frenectomy may be scheduled at the same time as osseous surgery to reduce the number of separate appointments and allow related tissues to heal together. Patients who have had tooth extractions may also benefit from a frenectomy to improve the fit of a prosthetic or support future implant placement. Our team coordinates all aspects of care to keep the treatment process as efficient as possible.

If your treatment plan involves more than one procedure, our team will walk you through the recommended sequence and explain how each step supports the next. Combining procedures when clinically appropriate is one way we help patients reach their goals with fewer visits and a more streamlined recovery.

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.

Trust Legacy Oral Surgery Group in Union City with Your Frenectomy Care

Frenectomies require a gentle, precise approach, particularly when performed on infants or young children. Our surgeons bring more than 35 years of combined oral and maxillofacial experience to every procedure, and our Union City team is trained to provide compassionate care for patients at every stage of life. We use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to ensure each procedure is performed accurately and with as little discomfort as possible.

If you have been referred for a frenectomy or want to discuss symptoms you have noticed in yourself or your child, our team is here 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 Union City 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

35+

Years of Combined Surgical Experience

7,000+

Patients Treated Annually

3

Convenient NJ & NY Locations

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 treatment.

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 Union City 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 Union City, Elizabeth, and Staten Island. Content is updated periodically to reflect current clinical guidance.