Lingual Frenectomy

A lingual frenectomy is a quick outpatient procedure that releases the lingual frenulum, the small band of tissue under the tongue. When that band is too tight or attaches too close to the tip of the tongue (a condition called tongue-tie or ankyloglossia), it can cause problems with breastfeeding in infants, speech in children, and eating or oral hygiene in adults. Modern laser frenectomy is performed in under 15 minutes with minimal bleeding and fast healing.

Who Needs a Frenectomy

• Infants: difficulty latching, prolonged feeding sessions, poor weight gain, maternal nipple pain
• Toddlers and children: delayed or unclear speech, especially sounds like L, R, TH, and S
• Adults: chronic difficulty licking lips, sticking out the tongue, or cleaning food from between teeth; may contribute to speech issues, TMJ symptoms, and sleep-disordered breathing

How Laser Frenectomy Works

The procedure is performed with a soft-tissue dental laser under local anesthesia (or no anesthesia in the youngest infants because the tissue is minimally innervated). The laser:

• Cuts precisely with minimal bleeding
• Sterilizes as it cuts (lowers infection risk)
• Seals nerve endings (less post-op pain)
• Eliminates the need for sutures in most cases

Total treatment time is typically 5 to 15 minutes.

Recovery

• Infants: can nurse immediately after the procedure; a small amount of blood is normal
• Children and adults: mild soreness for 2 to 3 days, well managed with OTC pain relievers
• Tongue exercises or stretches for 2 to 4 weeks to prevent reattachment
• Speech therapy or lactation follow-up as needed to translate the release into functional improvement

Cost of Lingual Frenectomy

Laser frenectomy typically costs $400 to $900 depending on complexity and whether local anesthesia or sedation is used. Many medical and dental insurance plans cover the procedure when medical necessity is documented (feeding, speech, or breathing issues). Purely elective cosmetic cases may not be covered.

Labial vs Lingual Frenectomy

Lingual is under the tongue. Labial is between the upper lip and the front teeth (a tight labial frenulum can cause a gap between the front teeth or difficulty breastfeeding). Both are minor laser procedures and are sometimes done together in the same visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a frenectomy painful?

Minimally. Infants often nurse immediately afterward. Older children and adults report soreness comparable to a small mouth ulcer for 2 to 3 days.

Does insurance cover lingual frenectomy?

Often yes when tied to feeding, speech, or breathing problems. Purely cosmetic cases are less likely to be covered. We submit pre-authorizations to verify before the procedure.

What is the age limit for frenectomy?

There is no upper age limit. We treat everyone from newborns to adults in their 60s and 70s. Earlier is generally better if there are functional problems, but a frenectomy at any age can improve tongue mobility and hygiene.

Consult in DC, Alexandria, or Reston

Request a consult at our Washington DC, Alexandria, or Reston office. We handle newborn tongue-tie releases, pediatric cases, and adult frenectomies.