Oral Surgery
Frenectomy (Laser and Scalpel) in Vile Parle East, Mumbai.
A quick, gentle procedure to release a tight tongue-tie or lip-tie, for children and adults. Choose between a modern laser frenectomy or a traditional scalpel technique, planned for your comfort.
- Duration
- Usually 15 to 45 minutes
- Sessions
- One procedure, plus 1 to 2 short review visits
- Price
- Personalized after consultation
Most people have never heard the word "frenum", even though everyone has one. It is the small fold of tissue under your tongue, and the ones inside your upper and lower lip. Usually, nobody notices them. But when a frenum is too short, too thick, or attached in the wrong place, it can quietly cause problems for years.
A child who cannot pronounce certain sounds clearly. A gap between the front teeth that keeps coming back after braces. Gums that pull away from the lower front teeth. A tongue that cannot lift or stick out properly. Many of these trace back to a tight frenum, and a short procedure called a frenectomy can release it.
At Designer Smiles in Vile Parle East, Dr. Kavita Bhat Kumar and the team perform frenectomy with either a soft tissue laser or a traditional scalpel, depending on what suits your case best. And like every treatment here, it comes with the comfort that Designer Smiles is known for.
01 / Overview
What is a frenectomy?
A frenectomy is a minor oral surgery procedure that removes or releases a frenum (also called a frenulum) that is too tight or attached in the wrong position. It is one of the simplest procedures in dentistry, and in most cases takes less than an hour.
There are three main types of frenum in the mouth:
Lingual frenum (under the tongue). When it is too short or tight, it is called tongue-tie, or ankyloglossia. It can limit how far the tongue can lift, move, or stick out. Releasing it is called a lingual frenectomy.
Labial frenum (inside the upper or lower lip). When it is too thick or attached too low, it is called lip-tie. It can cause a gap between the upper front teeth or pull on the gums. Releasing it is called a labial frenectomy.
Buccal frenum (inside the cheeks). Less common, but a tight cheek frenum can pull on the gums or affect how a denture sits.
You may also hear the terms frenotomy (a simple snip or release of the frenum) and frenuloplasty (release with reshaping of the area). Your dentist will explain which approach is right for you after the examination.
02 / Signs
Signs you or your child may need a frenectomy.
A frenectomy may help if you notice any of these. A short examination will confirm whether the frenum is the cause.
Tongue-tie (lingual frenum)
- The tongue cannot touch the roof of the mouth or stick out past the lower lips.
- The tip of the tongue looks notched or heart-shaped when it is pushed out.
- Difficulty saying certain sounds clearly, like "r", "l", "t", "d", "th" or "zh".
- Trouble licking the lips, eating an ice cream cone, or clearing food from the teeth.
- In babies, difficulty latching or feeding (always assessed together with your paediatrician).
Lip-tie (labial frenum)
- A gap between the upper front teeth, often with a thick band of tissue running into it.
- A gap that keeps reopening after braces or aligners.
- The gum near the frenum turns white or pulls when the lip is lifted.
- Gum recession around the lower front teeth.
- Difficulty brushing near the frenum, leading to plaque build-up.
For denture wearers
- A frenum that lifts or loosens the denture when you talk or smile.
03 / Laser or Scalpel
Laser frenectomy vs scalpel frenectomy: which is right for you?
At Designer Smiles, frenectomy can be done in two ways. Both are safe, proven, and give good long-term results. The difference is mainly in how the procedure feels and how you heal.
Laser frenectomy
A soft tissue dental laser gently releases the frenum using focused light energy. The laser seals small blood vessels and nerve endings as it works, so there is usually very little bleeding. In most cases, no stitches are needed. Many patients have less swelling and discomfort in the first few days, which makes laser frenectomy especially popular for children and anxious patients.
Scalpel frenectomy
The traditional method. The frenum is released with a fine surgical blade, and a few small stitches are placed to help the area heal neatly. It is a well-established technique that has been used for decades, and it remains a good choice for certain cases, for example when a thick or fibrous frenum needs a more precise reshaping.
| Laser Frenectomy | Scalpel Frenectomy | |
|---|---|---|
| Bleeding | Very little | Some, controlled with stitches |
| Stitches | Usually not needed | Usually needed |
| Discomfort after | Usually mild | Mild to moderate |
| Swelling | Usually less | Some, for a few days |
| Procedure time | Usually shorter | Usually slightly longer |
| Long-term result | Excellent | Excellent |
Research comparing the two methods shows that the laser technique is usually linked with less bleeding and less pain, while long-term healing is similar for both. Dr. Kavita will recommend the technique that suits your frenum, your age, and your comfort, and explain the reason clearly.
04 / Benefits
Benefits of frenectomy at Designer Smiles.
- 01 Freer tongue movement. Helps the tongue lift, move and stretch the way it should.
- 02 Clearer speech. Releasing a tongue-tie can make certain sounds easier to say, often together with a little speech practice.
- 03 Helps keep front teeth gaps closed. Removing a thick lip frenum reduces the chance of a gap reopening after braces or aligners.
- 04 Healthier gums. Stops a tight frenum from pulling on the gums and causing recession.
- 05 Easier cleaning. Makes brushing and natural tongue cleaning easier, which helps protect teeth and gums.
- 06 Choice of laser or scalpel. The technique is chosen for your case, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
- 07 Quick procedure. Usually done in a single short visit, with a fast return to normal routine.
06 / Your Visit
What your frenectomy visit actually feels like.
The word "surgery" can make anyone nervous, especially parents. The reality is much calmer. The area is numbed first, so you or your child feel no pain during the procedure, only some light pressure. With the laser, many patients are surprised by how quick and simple it is.
Throughout your visit, you can choose from the Signature Comfort Menu. Noise-cancelling earphones and your own music to block out every sound. A fleece blanket, an eye mask, or a stress ball to hold. After the procedure, the Designer Smiles aftercare ritual: a warm towel, a gentle neck massage, and, since a frenectomy is a surgical procedure, a cup of ice cream to help keep the area cool and comfortable. Children especially remember that part.
Everything happens in a private operatory, never an open floor, and every step is explained before it happens.
07 / Recovery
Recovery and aftercare after a frenectomy.
Recovery is usually quick. Most children go back to school and most adults go back to work the next day, and many the same day.
What is normal after a frenectomy
- Mild soreness for 2 to 3 days, easily managed with the medicines advised.
- A soft white or yellow patch at the site for 1 to 2 weeks. This is a normal part of healing in the mouth, not an infection.
- Slight swelling of the lip or under the tongue for a few days, usually less with laser.
To help the area heal well
- Eat soft, cool foods for the first 2 to 3 days, like curd, khichdi, dal rice, idli, soft fruit, and ice cream.
- Avoid very spicy, salty, sour, or crunchy foods until the area feels comfortable.
- Keep the mouth clean with gentle brushing and the rinse you are given.
- Avoid smoking during healing.
- After a tongue-tie release, do the tongue stretches and exercises you are shown, for as long as advised. This helps the tongue learn its new range of movement and stops the area from healing too tightly.
- Come for your review visits on time.
If speech was a concern, some children and adults also benefit from a few sessions with a speech therapist after the frenectomy, to practise new tongue movements.
05 / Our Process
How a frenectomy is done at Designer Smiles.
- Step 01
Consultation and Examination
Dr. Kavita checks the frenum, how far the tongue or lip can move, your gums, and your teeth. For children, parents are asked about speech, eating, and any concerns at home. This confirms whether a frenectomy will actually help.
- Step 02
Choosing the Technique
You are told whether laser or scalpel frenectomy is better for your case, and why. You also get a clear idea of what to expect during recovery and the cost.
- Step 03
Numbing the Area
A numbing gel is applied first, followed by local anaesthesia, so the area is completely comfortable during the procedure.
- Step 04
Releasing the Frenum
The frenum is gently released with the laser or the scalpel. Most procedures take between 15 and 45 minutes, including preparation.
- Step 05
Stitches (if needed)
With laser frenectomy, stitches are usually not needed. With scalpel frenectomy, a few fine stitches are placed to help the area heal neatly.
- Step 06
Aftercare Instructions
You are shown what to eat, how to keep the area clean, and, for tongue-tie release, simple tongue exercises to help the area heal with full movement.
- Step 07
Review Visits
One or two short review visits check the healing. If stitches were placed and need removing, this is done at the review, usually within about a week.
08 / Pricing
Frenectomy Cost in Vile Parle East, Mumbai.
The cost of frenectomy depends on your specific case. After your consultation, you will get a clear, written cost, with no hidden charges.
Price
Personalized after consultation
What can affect your final cost
- Laser or scalpel technique
- Which frenum is treated (tongue, upper lip, lower lip or cheek)
- Whether more than one frenum needs treatment
- Age of the patient and complexity of the case
Written cost after consultation · No hidden charges
09 / Why Designer Smiles
Why patients in Vile Parle, Andheri, and across Mumbai choose Designer Smiles for frenectomy.
- 01Laser and scalpel under one roof. The technique is chosen for your case, not limited by what equipment the clinic has.
- 0230+ years of clinical experience. Treating patients in Vile Parle East since 1995, including children and adults.
- 03Gentle with children. Calm, unhurried appointments, with parents kept informed at every step.
- 04A multispecialty team. Frenectomy can be coordinated with braces, aligners, gum treatment, or children's dentistry when needed.
- 05The Signature Comfort Menu. Noise-cancelling earphones, music of your choice, warm towel aftercare, and ice cream after surgical procedures.
- 06ISO 9001:2015 certified. Sterilization and hygiene checked to an international standard for every surgical procedure.
- 07Easy to reach. In Vile Parle East, close to Andheri, Santacruz, and Bandra, and a short drive from Mumbai's international airport.
10 / For Visitors
Planning a frenectomy during a visit to Mumbai?
A frenectomy is usually done in a single visit, with a short review a few days to a week later. That makes it easy to plan into a family trip to Mumbai, including for NRI families visiting during school holidays. With laser frenectomy, there are usually no stitches to remove, which makes travel planning even simpler. Designer Smiles is a short drive from Mumbai's international airport.
11 / FAQ
Common questions about frenectomy.
12 / Related
Treatments often linked with frenectomy.
Book Your Consultation
Worried about a tongue-tie or lip-tie?
Book a consultation at Designer Smiles in Vile Parle East, Mumbai. Dr. Kavita will check the frenum, explain whether a frenectomy will help, and recommend the gentlest technique for you or your child.